【What's Up! #08】Living Off-Campus | PROs and CONs & TIPS

    Staying outside campus has been a hot topic of discussion amongst JSU overseas students for as long as anyone who is currently studying here can remember. Students have continuously requested that OEC permits them to live off campus for quite some time but due to many reasons once of which, according to OEC, is safety concern for the foreign students. From June 16th, overseas students at JSU are allowed to apply for off-campus accommodation when they promise to abide by regulations and discipline.

So the questions come on!

Why should I live off-campus?

Am I ready to live off-campus?

Do I want a furnished or unfurnished room or apartment?

How much rent can I afford to pay?

Is it convenient commuting to campus?

Whether to live on campus or off campus, it is purely a personal choice and independent reasons. The reasons and facts of other students when they are moving out or staying in dorms may not necessarily be suitable for you.

Let’s check the Pros and Cons; which may give a reference for your decision making.

Pros:

1. Privacy

2. Avoids disturbances from unwanted guests

3. Freedom to go out at late nights (we request students not to misuse the freedom)

4. A double or triple bedroomed flat may be cheaper than dorm accommodation when you share accommodation.

5. Options available if you need single accommodation.

6. If you prefer luxurious setting, you can find one off-campus.

7. Charging your e-bikes might be more convenient.

8. Washing machine, kitchen are all for personal use.

9. Freedom to stay with family and friends.

10. More space.

Cons:

1. Difficulty in finding a house with in the proximity.

2. Agents/brokers may charge a lot.

3. A deposit equal to 1-2 months’ rent is usual.

4. Loneliness, as your friends may not be around. Especially during exams. LOL!

5. Maintenance charges, electricity, water, gas, e-bike charging, Internet set-up are all charged separately. 

6. Shifu not available in case of emergencies. However, you can call the police or the landlord depending on the type of issue.

7. Distance from campus; takes extra time to reach classroom. 

8. Any disciplinary actions are dealt by the police.

9. Most housing contracts requires one-time half-year to annual payments.

10. Roommate exchange won’t be easy.

11. In the dorm, electricity is pre-paid. Out there, it is post-paid bi-monthly. Reckless using may end up with huge bills.

OEC patronizes students’ freedom and personal interests. However, we request students to make a suitable decision and do not misuse freedom. No matter where you stay, we hope students to maintain disciple, abide by the rules and do not cause any trouble to others.

TIPS:

1. Try to avoid approaching the agents/brokers, unless you are out of options.

2. Use friends or online apps such as: 

http://fdc.my0511.com/

zj.58.com/zufang/

http://zhenjiang.ganji.com/fang1/

rent.zj.fccs.com

zhenjiang.anjuke.com

Usually on these websites, 个人 stands for post from the landlord and 经纪人 are posts from agents. You may also filter according to a wide range of preferences. 

3. The area around JSU campus is called “京口区” (jingkou qu) make sure use choose this while you search house. However, 京口区 is very huge, so make sure of the exact distance from campus. Suggested areas are not far than Auchan, Walmart (dingmao) or Yonghui (hongdou) supermarkets.

4. While you make the contract, make sure the following data (units used by the time house is handed over to you) is recorded on it:

a) 电 Electricity

b) 煤气 Gas

c) 水 Water

5. Some useful Chinese:

a) 租房合同  (zu fang he tong) Rental contract

b) 租房 (zu fang) Hiring a house

c) 房租 (fang zu) house rent

d) 合租 (he zu) shared accommodation (just renting a room in a flat)

e) 整租 (zheng zu) hiring a whole flat/house

f) 押金 (Ya jin) Deposit

g) 中介 (zhong jie) agents/brokers

h) 派出所 (pai chu suo) police station

i) 临时住宿登记表 (lin shi zhu su deng ji biao) Temporary residence registration form

j) 房东 (fang dong) House owner / land lord

k) 身份证 (shen fen zheng) Chinese ID card

l) 复印件 (fu yin jian) Photo copy

6. Please do not forget that if you stay off-campus, you have to register at the local police station instead of G6 with-in 24 hours every time after you enter China. Failure may cause a fine of 2000 RMB by the police.

Credits: Olive Media 

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