How do expats feel about rental in the first-tier cities in China?

Speakers: Sam Duckett and Lu Sirui

[Photo: from Baidu.com]

Javitte, who works in Chaoyang District, go to work by riding a scooter. She said when she choose apartment a convenient location is the top priority, followed by the price in that order. Her rent is about 40 percent of her wages, but she thinks it's worth the convenience.

According to a recent report released by Shanghai-based E-house China R&D Institute, the average rent-to-income ratio in Beijing is as high as 58 percent, followed by Shenzhen, Guangdong Province with 54 percent, and Shanghai with 48 percent.

The figure has triggered discussions. Many people find it hard to believe that rent can consume so much out of an individual's wages, while others argue they can accept it. They see it as a natural outcome of the high housing costs.

Yan Yuejin, director of the institute, said that non-salary income, anything of monetary value given to an employee that is outside of their base salary, such as health insurance, is not included in the calculation, which makes the rental become more expensive.

The audio clip is from Studio+, produced by CRI.