Observations Worth Mentioning

Just returned from 3 weeks in thailand and found out an incredibly important thing regarding RMB/BAHT currency conversion. I found a regular business counter moneychanger in the BIG C mall near Chitlom which pays 18% higher on the conversion. Unbelievable. They were converting RMB to BAHT at 4.6 to 1 or higher, while ALL other thal banks and exchange counters convert at 4.01. This is a HUGE difference of almost 20%. Go in the main door of Big C, past the information desk, down the corridor to the right, walk another minute and you will see the Money Exchange Desk in the mall. Thats the spot. Now I want to figure out how to make money in currency exchange futures...haha...Good Luck.

A beautiful modern 172 sq meter 8000rmb per month apartment for only 5000rmb per month? HOW? I just spent 8 weeks researching the rental market in puxi and moved back to puxi on December 1st. I learned alot. Here you go....there is a GLUT of housing in the 4-8000 dollar range and that range is not as wide as it seems...apts from 110 to 160 sqm are plentiful, and therefore there are great negotiating opportunities...you need to know how to negotiate it down....1) pay six months instead of three, (think about it, ) it doesn't matter at all). The point is that you will find the landlord who needs the money lately. ) Have the cash with you and refer to it, that you have it in your bag with you, so they know you are serious right now. It doesn't matter what they say their apt is worth, what matters is that if YOU don't give them the money today, they will probably have an empty apartment for two more months. Of course some landlords insist on their price, that's fine. Move on. You're looking for the landlord who will accept a discounted amount of cash with six month rent paid up front....DIRT IS NOT CHARMING....owners of old lane house apartments are currently insane...I lived in one for 3 years but I only paid 2500rmb per month. Now the same places have asking prices around 5000rmb, even with substandard electric, plumbing and poor, dirty neighbors... what's happening is that they are trying to capture the corporate client...but if you are local and you tell them, you tell them your budget is the local price, not the corporate price. If they have no other prospects, they will rent it to you...Good Luck