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Moving Tips: Making Yourself At Home In Your New Home
How to ensure your new home truly feels yours when relocating? In today's article, ASI Movers offers you its pro tips for a smooth transition, no matter the destination!
Relocating to a new home is often as exciting as it can be challenging. Whether you are moving across the street or to another country, adjusting to a new environment and establishing a sense of belonging is not a given and implies laying down the right basis for your new home to indeed feel like home.
In today’s guide, ASI Movers explores how to make yourself feel at home when moving to a new place, how to navigate this readaptation process, and how to ensure a smooth transition no matter the setting!
Eliminate Clutter
Clutter can make a space feel chaotic and less welcoming.
When preparing for your move, take the time to declutter and only keep items that are useful, essential, and meaningful to you.
A clean and organized home is the chosen way to ensure you feel at ease in your new space!
Thoughtful Unpacking & Organizing
We know how cumbersome unpacking can seem, but it actually is a golden occasion to organize your belongings in a way that makes sense to you and design an environment that you can feel at ease in.
Setting up and arranging your familiar items in a way similar to your previous home, with a twist that enhances your current one can provide you with a sense of continuity and comfort, all the while enabling you to make this new place your home.
Personalize Your Space After a Move
A new space can sometimes seem empty and foreign, even uncanny at times.
To avoid these feelings, try adding some personal touches early on in the settling in process, such as pictures, artworks, and sentimental items that hold special meaning to you.
This way, you will elude any risk of feeling unease in your new space!
Create a Cozy Corner
Whether it is a reading corner, a meditation space, or a simple comfy chair, creating a cozy corner will offer the right setting for you to relax, enjoy your new surroundings, and appreciate the change.
Designating and designing areas in your new home dedicated to relaxation, reflection, and hobbies is a simple and effective way to make your home more welcoming.
Involve Your Loved Ones in the Process
Whether they are far or close, having your loved ones involved in the settling in process is a great way to alleviate some of the tension moving house can bring along.
Creating shared memories is also the chosen way to bring about positive associations with your new home!
Explore Your Surroundings, Amenities, and Available Activities
When moving to a new place, it can be challenging to find your bearings.
Taking the time to step back and venture out to discover your new neighborhood is a good way to feel more connected, grounded and at ease in your new community.
You can even turn this phase into a treasure hunt by making a list of the new amenities and landmarks you want to explore, such as local parks, cafes, supermarkets and charming streets!
Celebrate Change
A housewarming party is the best way to ensure your new home indeed feels like home as you create memories and take the time to appreciate it.
If you move alone, or do not yet know many people in your community, a special meal and a video call with your close ones to show them your new space can go a long way to make the end of your moving process feel special!
Create a Balance Between Keeping Your Routines and Embracing New Habits
Sticking to familiar routines that make you feel comfortable is paramount to help you feel at home and comfortable in a new environments.
Yet, embracing the opportunities your new environment presents by establishing new habits will definitely help you feel like you belong, and build deep connections with your new surroundings!
For the past 15 years, ASI Movers has been accompanying global individuals, families and companies in their relocation journey.
No matter the origin, the destination, the volume, or the project, we design the most adapted moving solution to fit your needs and requirements!
Our goal: to make your journey the smoothest possible, because there is so much more on your mind than moving your belongings!
How to Send Your Money Overseas If You Live in China?
As an expat working in Shanghai, you might consider sending money to your family abroad. Sending the money out of the country might be challenging. ASI Movers compiled advices and tips that might be useful to you during the process.
Through Your Bank:
When it comes to money transactions, China is very strict! Using Alipay, Paypal or even sending a Chinese bank card overseas and withdrawing from a foreign country are all considered ILLEGAL!
China has a suitable system if you are willing to send money abroad. You basically need to show that you earned your money in a legal way, and you have paid tax on it.
On your way to the bank, you need to bring your work contract and the yearly income tax statement (you can get this document from the HR or finance department of the company you’re working at). Additionally you will need your passport with a valid Chinese visa (your visa must not expire soon) otherwise the bank will refuse to carry out any kind of transaction. Moreover, you need to provide the bank with the foreign account details: such as the account holder number, name, address, telephone number, the bank Swift and the bank phone number.
the bank teller will certainly be thorough and will reject your application if even one document is missing,so be diligent and make sure you go in prepared!
Once you make sure your taxes are paid and you have all the documents mentioned above, you are good to go, you can send up to 50,000 USD annually, and the limit can vary from bank to bank, so make sure to do some research first.
Note: you might spend a considerable amount of time at the bank, patience is the key!
Taking the cash on a plane:
One other way to send your cash outside China, would be through airplanes, yet the rules are clear, for Chinese and non Chinese citizens the maximum amount that could be carried is 5000 USD.
For more than 10 years, ASI Movers has been accompanying expats and helping them with their relocation from, to and within China. We are aware of the struggles expats might face when moving in or out of China and are dedicated to providing you with the most accurate information regarding your life in the Middle Kingdom, as for your international journey to be the smoothest possible!
Shanghai New Recycling Rules: What You Need to Know
Starting from Monday July 1st, it is compulsory for individuals and companies in Shanghai to sort their household trash.
Shanghai is the third largest and most populous city in the world! With a population of more than 26 million residents, Shanghai is the most trash generating city, with more than nine million tons per year. According to official statistics only 10% of the waste is recycled.
This new law will surely have a great impact on the city’s sustainability score. However, what does it mean for Shanghai’s residents and companies daily life? Let’s find out!
How does the new recycling system work?
Waste has been divided into four types:
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Wet trash: also called household food waste ( and represented by the color brown)
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Recyclable: consists in papers, plastic, glass, textiles, metals (they must be cleaned first before being thrown away) and the bin is blue.
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Dry trash: also named residual waste. You can throw in used tissue, dirty plastic bags, etc. The designated bin is black
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And finally, hazardous waste: it encompasses any waste posing threats to the public health or environment. The trash bin is red.
To help you sort out and recycle effectively your rubbish, you can refer to the following tables:
What if you don’t comply with the new rules?
Individuals breaking the new trash sorting rules are going to be charged with 200 yuan, while companies and organizations risk fines up to 50000 yuan.
Why did China implement these rules?
For a while, China used to import and accept other countries’ waste for processing. In January 2018, the country enacted a plastic import ban, initiating its transition. Now the country is trying to tackle its own trash. The Chinese government is concerned about the country’s pollution issue and has started to take action in order to prevent further damage. Keep in mind that, according to the World Bank, China was expected to produce approximately 533 million tons of waste by 2030.
Moreover, China is in the sixth year of a “war on pollution” designed not only to clean up its sky, soil or water, but it also consists in utilizing comprehensively its resources, including waste.
A green revolution has started in Shanghai and it is about to spread quickly to the rest of the country. By 2020, the Chinese government is planning on expanding the recycling rules across 46 Chinese cities.
How is the response to this change?
The new sorting rules have left many residents scratching their heads over which bin to throw their rubbish into, although the government hired instructors and conducted more than 13,000 training sessions around the city, the confusion remains.
The topic went viral on Chinese Social Medias. On one hand, many people expressed their sympathy towards this sustainable measure, on the other hand numerous others are still worried about making mistakes.
Many apps were launched to help the residents sorting their waste. They are available on Wechat, Alipay and Apple store.
Test your knowledge on WeChat with this in-app game!
Companies seem to be struggling as well while sorting their waste. Hotels for example decided to ban disposable goods (like toothbrushes). Recently, many restaurants and food delivery companies banned plastic cutlery as well.
Times are changing in Shanghai towards a more sustainable city. However, as it is the case with any evolution, adapting requires efforts and might appear challenging. At ASI Movers , we believe in greener initiatives, yet understand the struggles such a sudden change can bring to our fellow expats, especially when one is still adapting to one’s new life in China!
Our aim remains to help you in your expatriation journey. Because it is hardly an easy task, and because relocating should be the least of your worries, we provide you with the most qualitative and comprehensive moving services from, to and within China!
Healthcare for Expats in Shanghai:Everything you Need to Know!
Planning to move to Shanghai soon, alone or with your family? You want to know more about the healthcare system in China? ASI Movers delivers you a full guide to facilitate your journey!
About the Insurance
First thing first, before looking for hospitals, you need to fully understand your insurance policy and see what it covers. Keep in mind that, you cannot use a simplified travel insurance once you become a resident. You will have to consider additional fees for certain services (e.g : maternity, mental health, orthodontics..). Generally the cost per person can range between 5 500 RMB and 20 000 RMB annually, the out-patient coverage will be everything else and makes up the majority of insurance claims.
ASI Movers would advise you to consult an insurance provider and choose the package that suits you the most!
Which hospital to choose in Shanghai?
Now what happens if you are sick or need to consult a specialist for any other reasons? ASI Movers has decided to provide a handful guide regarding hospitality facilities foreigner-friendly in Shanghai.
This cosmopolitan city has a wide range of hospitals & clinics to offer. Main options consist in International Hospitals, Local Hospitals and VIP Clinics.
International hospitals
Shanghai United family hospital
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The price ranges between 1500 RMB and 2000 RMB;
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They offer services like dental, sports medicine, etc.;
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Address : 1139 Xianxia Road, Changning District, Shanghai 200336
上海和睦家医院上海市长宁区仙霞路1139号 邮编：200336 -
Phone number:400 639 3900
Jiahui Health
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Prices are reasonable for an international hospital however they do not have emergency services;
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Prices range from 300 RMB up to 1000 RMB;
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Address : 689 Guiping Lu, by Qinjiang Lu,
桂平路689号, 近钦江路; -
Phone number:400 868 3000
Local hospitals
Usually not the option an expat would opt for. Local hospitals do not accept international insurance. They may be very crowded, but you are still likely to find an English speaking doctor and staff in the biggest ones.
Here are some top ranked local hospital, ASI Movers would recommend you:
Huashan Hospital
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One of Shanghai’s biggest hospitals;
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Specialized in neurology;
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Prices range from 38 RMB up to 318 RMB;
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Address : 12 Wulumuqi Zhong Lu, near Huashan Lu , 华山医院 乌鲁木齐中路12号15楼, 近华山路
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Phone number:5288 9999
Ruijing Hospital
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Very easy access and affordable;
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More specialized in hematology and infection diseases;
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Prices range from90 RMB up to 300 RMB;
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Address:197 Ruijing Er Lu ,near Shaoxing Lu瑞金二路197号， 近绍兴路
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Phone number:6437 0045
VIP clinics
VIP clinics’ concept consists in local hospitals having international divisions. , It is a great alternative to international hospitals which offers very convenient options for expats, as it provides premium services with a medium price. All the VIP clinics are present in most local hospitals.
After having spent 10 years helping expats relocating from, to and within China, we know how essential knowing where and how to find reliable healthcare services is when moving to a new country or city is. For choosing your best healthcare provider as for moving your belongings, ASI Movers is here to provide you with accurate information, expertise & recommendations!
Celebrating Dragon Boat Festival
This Friday June 7th, your favorite relocation partner office in China will be closed due to a national day-off. The Dragon boat Festival is taking place each 5th day of the 5th month of the Chinese lunar calendar. ASI Movers will tell you the history behind this day, and how people use to celebrate this event in China.
The history behind the Festival
This day has been a national holiday break for a while now, more than 2,000 years. Originally, this day aims to prevent the population against diseases, by using herbs and medicine. Herbs and ointment used to be sacrificed to the spirit on a dragon boat.
Later, an important public figure died during this day: Qu Yuan. Qu Yuan was a poet and minister of the King of Chu. As a clever and wisdom man, always putting the country and its people first, he was source of good advices for the King, but also created jealousy among its peers. Some official were plotting to make him exile. He composed during his exile one of the most famous poem of the Chinese Literature: 離騷 (Lí Sāo) – Encountering Sorrow. This poem narrates its own life, its fall from the King’s grace, but also its travel around the Chu kingdom after being exiled.
Photo by Wang Qi. Image available under a Creative Commons license.
How well I know that loyalty brings disaster;
Yet I will endure: I cannot give it up.
I called on the ninefold heaven to be my witness,
And all for the sake of the Fair One, and no other.
There once was a time when he spoke with me in frankness;
But then he repented and was of another mind.
I do not care, on my own count, about this divorcement,
But it grieves me to find the Fair One so inconstant.
Source: From Anthology of Chinese Literature, Volume I: From Early Times to the Fourteenth Century, edited by Cyril Birch (New York: Grove Press, 1965), 51-62.
When he learnt that the kingdom was taken by the Qin, exactly in 278 BCE, he jumped into the Miluo River to drown himself, exactly the 5th day of the 5th month. Respected and appreciated by many locals, the people of Chu were looking into the river with their boat to save him. They were also throwing some cooked rice and poured wine, to feed the fish and avoid them from eating his body.
Celebrating Dragon Boat Festival
To commemorate this day and the spirit of Qu Yuan, people are now eating some Zongzi, sticky rice commonly wrapped in reed leaves (bamboo leaves sometimes), and drinking wine. There is a Zongzi for every taste: they can be filled with date as well as red bean, meat, egg yolk and ham. You can find all around the country some delicious and colorful Zongzi.
The old tradition of preventing disease has not been forgotten. The elders still wear odorous herbs bag on themselves or hanging in the house as well as some other charms.
The most popular activity during this day is definitely the dragon boat racing. This really large boat has a shape of long traditional Chinese dragon (sufficiently long to have sometimes as much as 60 rowers!), opening largely its mouth. The race cannot start without performing a ceremony where rowers paint the dragon’s eye to make it “alive”. A drummer is sitting at the front of the boat, to give rhythm to the rowers. The race illustrates the attempt to save Qu Yuan, and the winner is the team managing to reach first the destination point. Most famous dragon boat race are taking place in the Miluo river at Yueyang (Hunan province), Hong Kong, or Hangzhou in the Zhejiang province. But nowadays, we can actually see this kind of race overseas! This event has become more and more popular overseas, in countries where Chinese ethnics are strongly present (e.g. Japan, South Korea, Australia and Vietnam) or where rowing is already a popular sport (e.g. Britain). Wherever you are in China or anywhere else around the Globe, do not hesitate to take part to this race. It is a good occasion to practice a team sport, and enjoying a day off.
ASI Movers team wishes you a good week-end, and we hope you will enjoy and make the most of this moment, eating some good Zongzi or discovering a fabulous dragon race boat!
ASI Group performed at the SHANGHAI BUTTERFLY FOOTBALL CUP!
On April 14th, a team of ASI Group Shanghai Office played football at the SHANGHAI BUTTERFLY FOOTBALL CUP, a charity event organized by the Rotary Club of Shanghai Elysee, for the benefit of the DEBRA association.
What Is DEBRA Association?
DEBRA association tries to ensure visibility and medical support to the children affected by the epidermolysis bullosa infection, a painful genetic skin blistering condition which, in the worst cases, can be fatal. The blisters present on the children’s skin at the origin of their name of "Butterfly kids". The DEBRA International is now present in more than 50 countries around the world.
All the support received is used to improve research efforts, in order to find effective treatments that can cure this disease. DEBRA association collaborates with international institutions and coordinates research projects, while also raising awareness toward people who are directly or indirectly affected by this disease, to strengthen children’s self-confidence and improve their daily life.
ASI Group's soccer team performance
ASI Group was very proud to participate in this charity event, which was a success! We were happy to play with our colleagues and with the other teams, to share playful time with colleagues who came to cheer us.
This inter-companies tournament gathered 32 mixed men and women teams of 7 players each. Our Soccer team had been training hard for several weeks , and met many other great teams coming from different companies well-established in Shanghai.
Our team, initially in Group G, won the three group games 4-1, 1-0, 1-0, and managed to finish at the first position of the group. Our ranking enabled us to participate in the Elite cup tournament. Then, we won again 1-0, but sadly were defeated in quarter finals by Decathlon-Kipsta team 0-2. Nevertheless, all of us spent a good day and enjoyed playing on the field for this charity event.
Contact us if you want to hit the ball another time!
Environmental Protection in China: What Lies Ahead
As winter is slowly approaching the Middle Kingdom, locals and expats get more and more concerned over the air quality, and more broadly the environment. During the cold season, centralized heating is switched on in Chinese cities, them being fueled by coal makes the air quality drop significantly.
Nevertheless, China has been switching toward a new attitude regarding the environment, aiming at a “Greener China”, which should contribute to a brighter winter sky. Following our introduction to China’s Green policy in our article “Chinese New Economic Orientations: What You Need to Know”, we will now go in more details into what you need to know about the topic, exploring what lies ahead in terms of policies, outcomes, and also the opportunities one could take advantage of in the near future.
The Current Situation
For many years, economic growth has been China’s first priority, focusing on its GDP and people’s standard of living. However, it is no longer the case, as it appears pollution represents a threat for Chinese economy and as Chinese population gets more and more concerned over the danger pollution represents for its daily life and the one of its children.
China is famous for being the 2nd world’s greatest polluter, factories and power plants are held responsible for major part of the country’s air, soil, and water pollution, which most noticeable consequences have been heavy smog and tap water being unhealthy.
Objectives & Measures
4 main objectives have been highlighted by the Chinese government:
- Reduce the weight of coal industry to reach better air quality, which translates into dismantling coal-fired power plants, and cutting particulate-matter emission rate.
- Better regulation in the implementation of the following policies thanks to relevant government's administration being more powerful than before.
- Foster and invest in greener companies, thanks to an environment tax and thanks to attracting foreign green investments.
- Make the Belt and Road Initiative – China’s greatest economic project – green.
In 2015, the new Environment Protection Law came into effect, whose main measures are:
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Allowing environment protection department to seize, impound or close facilities that cause serious environmental pollution, penalties and punishments for non-compliance have also been made heavier. In 2016 the Ministry of Environmental Protection set up the Central Environmental Protection Inspection as to monitor the implementation of the policies previously listed resulting in 1, 140 officials to be disciplined. Factories have been moved away from big cities as to reduce air pollution, and even private households in the North of the country have been demanded to switch from coal heating to natural gas.
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Fiscal advantages are granted to industries complying with the government’s agenda, as well lenient borrowing policies. The solar panel industry has been one of the main beneficiary of this policy, to the point that without the government’s support, a majority of the companies would have to cease their activity.
Economic Opportunities
As we evoked earlier, China is - and plans to continue - investing heavily in the environmental industry, investment in the environmental sector is projected to exceed RMB15 trillion during the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020).
Which industry could one invest or develop a business in?
- Provision of equipment and services for environmental pollution control;
- Removal of pollutants;
- Water treatment;
- Energy conservation;
- Clean production;
- Collection, safe disposal, recycling and recovery of waste resources;
- Services related to the protection of resources and the natural ecology.
Pollution is an issue China targets heavily, even making it an economic orientation as the country is aiming at becoming an international leader in this particular topic.
In the meantime, ASI Movers knows that expatriates are still concerned about the air quality as well as by how to avoid suffering short or long term pollution side effects. Here are few tips one should follow as to minimize the effects of current Chinese environment:
- Wear a mask: as to prevent yourself from absorbing harmful particules, wearing a mask is a good option. However, make sure to choose a qualitative one: too often people wear surgical masks or simply one made out of cloth, both not protecting you efficiently. As such, make sure yours features a carbon filter, that its rating is good, that it fits your face securely, and that you can easily breathe in.
- Buy an air purifier for your home, the best always being having one in each room.
- Surround yourself with plants as they are natural air purifiers.
- Exercise regularly: people doing so enjoy a better respiratory system which regenerates faster.
- Check the air quality before leaving your home: many Apps having this feature are available, which can help you plan your day accordingly (if the air quality is too poor, outdoor physical activity for instance is not recommended).
ASI Movers has been helping expats relocate from, to, and within China for more than 10 years, we know the problematics and concerns expats face on a daily basis and try our best for your experience in China to be the smoothest possible!
ASI Movers Is Proud to Announce We Joined the International Association of Movers
ASI Movers is proud to announce that we are now part of IAM, the International Association of Movers, which accounts for the quality of our service, our professionalism, rewarding our years of dedication to our customers, providing them with the high-end and built-to-suit solutions from, to, and within China.
After having joined the WCA Relocation Network, this new recognition acknowledge of our efforts toward your peace of mind and the most efficient relocation process.
What Is IAM, The International Association of Movers?
IAM is the International Association of Movers, founded more than 50 years ago, it started in the United States and gathered 18 companies from the transportation industry, seeking for a unified legal representation.
In 1963, the scope of the association changed, the first international companies joined, opening membership to all those with an interest in the moving industry.
In accordance with the latter orientation of the association, IAM, formerly known as the Household Goods Forwarders Association of America, was renamed as we know it today i.e. the International Association of Movers.
What Does Being Part of IAM Means?
IAM is now a network of more than 2,400 members providing moving, forwarding, shipping, logistics and related services in over 165 countries.
Its members, and thus now ASI Movers, benefit from programs and resources that participate in the constant improvement and adaption of our services to changes in the global transportation industry.
As stated by the association itself “IAM affiliation signifies strength, trust, diversity and accountability”.
Thanks to IAM Logistics Network, ASI Movers continues strengthening its international coverage, enriching its network of partners.
Being part of the IAM is a source of great pride for ASI Movers as it embodies acknowledgment from our industries’ professionals of the quality of our service, and our ethics, as being granted IAM membership means complying with its Code of Ethics:
- Members shall acknowledge and respect the cultural similarities and differences among all Members.
- Members shall conduct business in a responsible and professional manner.
- Members shall deal fairly will all customers, Association Members, and other business entities.
- Members shall adhere to a policy of honesty and integrity in accordance with generally accepted principles of conduct.
- Members shall be forthright and trustful in their professional communications.
- Members shall abode by all lawful agreements to which they are a party, including agreements with customers, the Association, and Association Members.
- Members shall pay their just obligations. Members shall strive to comply with all applicable laws and governmental regulations.
- Members shall offer fair quotations.