HOUSING CONSIDERATIONS - Living Abroad in Beijing - page 176

RMB2-5 per square meter. Finally, ensure all the utilities have also been changed over into
your name. That's it! Enjoy making it your new home.
HIRING HELP
One of the luxuries of living in Beijing is that hiring a housekeeper or nanny, locally re-
ferred to as an ā yí, is extremely affordable. Even expats on modest local salaries often
splurge for a cleaner to come in to give their home a weekly once over. For busy families
and business people, an ā yí can be a lifeline, giving you some breathing space to be able
to spend quality time with your family or socialize. Be warned, though—it can foster the
belief that housework gets magically done by itself.
Standards vary between both extremes, and though there are many who are loving and
trustworthy, you'll hear horror stories of encounters with unconventional ā yí. We walked in
on our ā yí doing leg exercises on the couch, and a friend came home early to find his ā yí
and her entire family strewn over the couch watching TV. Concepts of clean also differ dra-
matically, and if you're not assertive you may discover that the cloth that has been wiping
your bathroom for the last six months has also been wiping your dishes.
A good ā yí, however, can help you out with a wealth of day-to-day issues, from cooking
and cleaning to bill paying and child care. If she can speak English, all the better. Many ā yí
become loved family members whom the children hate to part with.
It's important to be aware of potential problems of hiring an ā yí. The less respectable
ones have been known to make up stories of sick family members. Their employers then
give them leave with pay to go and see the person, but the ā yí pockets the money and moves
on to the next family. These kinds of problems typically occur around Chinese New Year,
when people notoriously collect their annual bonus and then disappear.
Ā yí often have no training at all and have essentially walked in off the street, and unscru-
pulous agencies will tell puff stories about the ā yí 's training and experience. Hourly rates
can vary RMB15-50. For a good full-time ā yí, expect to pay around RMB3,000 per month,
plus one month's salary as an annual bonus at Chinese New Year. Rates may be higher if
she can speak English.
Entrusting your baby, let alone your home, to a stranger can be a stressful task, so take
steps to feel as confident in their service as possible. The best way to find a reliable ā yí is
word of mouth. Speak to people you trust and ask for personal recommendations for ā yí or
agencies. Beijing Café or Beijing Mamas can be good places to start. When you do contact
an agency or an ā yí , always insist on getting a copy of the ā yí 's sh ē nfènzhèng (ID) and ask
to speak to her references. You should also arm yourself with a battery of probing questions.