Shenzhen

1. Furnishing in Shenzhen

Types of Furnishings Available

• Fully Furnished Apartments: Many rental apartments in Shenzhen come fully furnished, especially in newer or serviced buildings. These typically include basic furniture such as beds, sofas, dining tables, wardrobes, and essential appliances like air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, and sometimes even TVs.
• Semi-Furnished Apartments: These may include only built-in furniture (e.g., wardrobes, kitchen cabinets) and essential appliances like air conditioners. You’ll need to purchase or rent additional furniture.
• Unfurnished Apartments: These are less common but are an option if you prefer to customize your space. They usually come with no furniture or appliances, though air conditioning is often included.

Options for Furnishing Your Home

1. Buying New Furniture:

   • IKEA: Shenzhen has several IKEA stores offering affordable, modern furniture and home goods.
   • Local Furniture Markets: Huaqiangbei and Longgang District have large furniture markets where you can find a wide range of styles, from budget-friendly to high-end.
   • Online Platforms: Platforms like Taobao, JD.com, and Tmall offer a vast selection of furniture and home goods, often at lower prices than physical stores. Delivery is usually fast and reliable.
   • High-End Stores: For luxury furniture, visit stores in upscale malls like MixC or COCO Park.

2. Buying Second-Hand Furniture:

   • WeChat Groups: Many expat and local WeChat groups post listings for second-hand furniture.
   • Xianyu (闲鱼): A popular app for buying and selling second-hand goods in China.
   • Local Classifieds: Websites like 58.com or Ganji.com often have listings for used furniture.

3. Renting Furniture:

   • Furniture rental services are available in Shenzhen, though less common than in some other cities. Companies like ReloSmart or local rental services cater to expats and short-term residents.

Costs for Furnishing

• Basic Furnishing for a 1-Bedroom Apartment:
  • New furniture: ¥10,000–¥20,000 ($1,400–$2,800 USD)
  • Second-hand furniture: ¥3,000–¥8,000 ($420–$1,100 USD)
• Appliances:
  • Refrigerator: ¥1,500–¥3,000 ($210–$420 USD)
  • Washing Machine: ¥1,000–¥2,500 ($140–$350 USD)
  • Air Conditioner: ¥2,000–¥5,000 ($280–$700 USD)

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2. Utilities in Shenzhen

Utility Setup Procedures

1. Electricity (电力 - Diànlì):

   • Provider: Shenzhen Power Supply Bureau (深圳供电局).
   • Setup: If you’re renting, the landlord usually handles the initial setup. If not, you’ll need to visit the local power supply office with your passport, rental agreement, and property ownership documents (if applicable).
   • Payment: Prepaid or postpaid. Payments can be made via WeChat, Alipay, or at convenience stores.

2. Water (自来水 - Zìláishuǐ):

   • Provider: Shenzhen Water Group (深圳水务集团).
   • Setup: Similar to electricity, landlords often handle this. If you need to set it up, visit the local water bureau with your documents.
   • Payment: Usually postpaid and can be paid online via WeChat, Alipay, or at banks.

3. Gas (燃气 - Ránqì):

   • Provider: Shenzhen Gas Corporation (深圳燃气集团).
   • Setup: Gas is typically piped in urban areas. You’ll need to contact the gas company to set up an account. Landlords often assist with this.
   • Payment: Prepaid or postpaid, with payments made via WeChat, Alipay, or at gas company offices.

4. Internet (宽带 - Kuāndài):

   • Providers: China Telecom, China Unicom, and China Mobile are the main providers.
   • Setup: Visit a provider’s office or contact them online. Bring your passport and rental agreement. Installation usually takes 1–3 days.
   • Plans: Internet plans typically cost ¥100–¥300 ($14–$42 USD) per month, depending on speed (100 Mbps to 1 Gbps).

Average Monthly Utility Costs

• Electricity: ¥200–¥500 ($28–$70 USD), depending on usage and air conditioning.
• Water: ¥50–¥100 ($7–$14 USD).
• Gas: ¥50–¥150 ($7–$21 USD), depending on cooking and water heating.
• Internet: ¥100–¥300 ($14–$42 USD).
• Total Monthly Utilities: ¥400–¥1,050 ($56–$147 USD) for a single person or small family.

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3. Local Considerations and Tips

1. Energy Efficiency:

   • Electricity costs can be high in summer due to air conditioning. Use energy-efficient appliances and set the air conditioner to 26°C to save on costs.
   • Many apartments have prepaid electricity meters. Monitor your balance to avoid sudden outages.

2. Water Quality:

   • Tap water in Shenzhen is not potable. Invest in a water filter or buy bottled water for drinking and cooking.

3. Internet Speed:

   • Internet speeds in Shenzhen are generally fast, but international websites may load slower due to the Great Firewall. Consider using a VPN for unrestricted access.

4. Language Barrier:

   • Utility company staff may not speak English. Bring a Chinese-speaking friend or use translation apps like Pleco or Google Translate when setting up utilities.

5. WeChat and Alipay:

   • These apps are essential for paying utility bills, managing accounts, and even contacting customer service. Set them up as soon as possible.

6. Landlord Assistance:

   • Most landlords in Shenzhen handle utility setup for tenants. Confirm this when signing your rental agreement.

7. Utility Deposits:

   • Some utility companies may require a deposit for new accounts. This is usually refundable when you close the account.

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4. Summary of Costs

| Category | Monthly Cost (¥) | Notes | |-----------------------|----------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Electricity | 200–500 | Higher in summer due to air conditioning. | | Water | 50–100 | Tap water is not drinkable; consider bottled water costs. | | Gas | 50–150 | Depends on cooking and water heating usage. | | Internet | 100–300 | Based on speed and provider. | | Total Utilities | 400–1,050 | For a single person or small family. | | Furnishing (One-Time) | 3,000–20,000 | Depending on whether you buy new or second-hand furniture. |

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By following this guide, you’ll be well-prepared to furnish your home and set up utilities in Shenzhen efficiently. If you need further assistance, feel free to ask!