I just moved into a new place in Lido, a neighborhood just outside the 4th ring road where many foreigners live. The apartment looks a bit extravagant with the classical detailing, but actually, the rent is nearly the same as my old ratty apartment in Dongzhimen. Also, all the modern conveniences are just downstairs- including two excellent bakeries, a Tex-mex restaurant, a Starbucks, an expat grocery store.. and everything else is within walking distance.

My room has a chaise.


The other bedroom has a nook!


Roommate Daniel cooking up something in a kitchen that has.. an OVEN (rare in Beijing)!


The living room


The courtyard outside with the shops. You can walk through these double-fronted shops to get to the street (every morning I walk through Starbucks to get to work).