A brief Q and A on life in Qingdao with a focus on transportation and housing, based on an email exchange with a soon to be Qingdao resident.

Getting around Qingdao can be quite an adventure. Transportation options run the gamut from the Metro to cars and buses to bikes, and if you have the time and inclination, there’s always the 11 bus, which is local slang for walking.

Anyone who has spent time in Qingdao and went from A to B has encountered traffic delays and the slow crawl engendered by bottlenecks and rubber necks – try the Fuzhou Lu/Xianggang Zhong Lu intersection near Aeon Jusco during rush hours if you’re in no hurry whatsoever.

Hailing a cab in the maelstrom of macchina can also be a huge hassle, and without some kinda app like didi che, good luck getting a ride. Buses are packed out and some figure that if you can’t beat ’em, might as well join ’em. So, the 64,000 RMB question is, do you need a car in Qingdao?

1. I’d like to drive as I plan to be there for a few years. What’s the best way to get a second-hand car and is it difficult to do so?
Driving in Qingdao is a bit difficult. Traffic in China is very congested, and the driving style is different from Western countries. Yes, you can drive, however, you will have to get a local driver’s license. The test might be difficult for some. It is possible to purchase a second hand car from a used car lot. Your new colleagues will be able to help you. Chinese people are very helpful. Once you arrive, you will have a better idea about whether you do actually want to drive in Qingdao. Good luck.

2. What are the best expat/family-friendly type suburbs to live-in?
Downtown Qingdao near the May 4 square is quite nice – you should be able to find a nice place relatively near the ocean. A comfortable flat will cost around 3 to 5 thousand yuan. Laoshan is quite nice and very beautiful if you are on the coast. If you are working in Qingdao proper, then Laoshan may be your best bet, especially around the Old Stone Man area. Other areas include the suburb of Chengyang, which is close to the airport, and actually a bit far from the city. Again, it all depends on budget. If you are on a corporate allowance and want a house, perhaps the community called Surf Plaza would be to your liking. It’s a gated subdivision, once inside it is somewhat similar to US/UK neighborhoods, but… it’s pricey. Apartments in that area are also available, very near the coast, pretty much right on the beach. Near there is an attractive area along Donghai Lu near Sculpture Park. If you want to live in old town, look around Daxue Lu and the old Ocean University campus.

3. Are things expensive? Should I ship stuff over or just buy them there?
Most things are very reasonably priced. Clothes and appliances are fairly good quality and not expensive, relatively. It’s always nice to have stuff from home, especially sundry items that may not be available here, so maybe it’s a good idea to bring some treats that you love, and maybe a favorite pillow, but otherwise you should be able to pick up almost anything you need for daily life. There are some great shopping malls, such as Aeon Jusco, Hisense Department Store, and Marina City, all of them concentrated near the Olympic Sailing Center near downtown.

4. And I constantly read mixed reviews about the pollution. Is it, in your opinion, an issue? Are masks really necessary?
Qingdao is less polluted than other cities in China. It’s on the ocean coast, and the air can be pretty clear on many days, but a bit hazy on others. It also depends on the season. Heating is done by a municipal steam radiator system, and they’re powered by coal, with some smokestacks actually right in the heart of the city. So winter can be worse for air quality. The nice areas mentioned above are really good for air quality, comparatively. Summer can be very muggy, and the mass of autos contributes to a general smog, but one good thing is that it is really windy much of the time, being on the ocean and all, and there are blue skies to be seen. Wearing a mask in Qingdao is entirely up to the wearer. One may want to have an air purifier in the home, which can be purchased locally, as can water filters for the home and office. Again, it all depends on where in the city one sets up camp. It might be a good idea to hang out around the city for a week or two before making a decision on where to live, to get a clearer idea of how things are laid out. For more on China Air Quality, check out this post about an AQI in China app.

Postscript:
Living in China means being very creative and flexible. As always in life, no matter where you are, there are good days and bad. A pleasant attitude and friendly smile goes very far in China. People are inclined towards incredible helpfulness, especially those in your daily circle. Creating a network and establishing relationships are vital components to your happiness and success in China.

For more information on life in Qingdao, send us a message.