Home Sweet Home

Welcome to our home. It came fully furnished and is a brand new unit. Although it doesn't represent our decor, we are very grateful to have found such an up-to-date apartment.

Unfortunately, even though we are the unit's first residents, the place was absolutely filthy when we arrived (even after a thorough cleaning by the landlord). Much of the furniture was covered in soot, the floors were incredibly dusty, and the bathroom was wretched.

But after days of cleaning, it is now definitely livable. However, with all the construction taking place around our building, there is a never-ending supply of dust and dirt seeping in through our windows and air conditioning units on a daily basis. Beijing is so dusty that if Derek and I were to wear our shoes inside our apartment, dirt tracks could be visibly seen throughout. Not a zen environment for a clean freak like myself.

Overall, many of the buildings and their units within are not well kept. With the wear and tear of pollution and overall poor upkeep, many of the structures are rundown and appear much older than they actually are.