Family.
Beijing is undoubtedly an incredible place for families. With an endless supply of cultural heritage sites to explore as a family, as well as, numerous spectator sports, museums, art showings, and visiting exhibitions, there is no end to the amount of things a family can experience together.
Most of, if not all, the western youth activities can be found in Beijing, including youth football and basketball leagues, skate parks, art classes, piano lessons, and the like. However, unlike the big cities of the west, Beijing offers unique regional activities, hard to find anywhere else. These include traditional Eastern Dance classes, kung-fu, acrobatics, birding, ping pong, and badminton leagues.
Being under the rule of a communist government, it should come as no surprise that Chinese security personnel have the capability to undergo surveillance on any and all residents. This is obviously somewhat disheartening when viewed against western standards of civil rights. Yet, Beijing has one of the lowest crime rates (not including the crime of getting hustled while bargaining prices) of the world’s largest cities, due, in large part, to this system. Some reports suggest that incidents of violence against foreigners have increased over the past year. Nevertheless, Beijing continues to exude a strong sense of safety for locals and foreigners, alike.
The American Embassy warns travelers to be aware that, “in some places, natural gas is not scented to warn occupants of gas leaks or concentrations.” This might be the case for some of the older, locally inhabited residential complexes, yet in the newer, expat targeted housing developments, such precautions have likely been taken. Expats relocating their families to Beijing are advised to inquire about such issues with the specific housing authority where one is intending to live.
One of the largest graffiti spots around Beijing is located on the back wall of the China-Japan Friendship Hospital. This might not be conclusive evidence that China’s healthcare standards are somewhat lesser than in the west, yet it does make one somewhat uneasy. Nevertheless, a significant number of hospitals maintain an international staff, with relatively up-to-date laboratory and imaging facilities. Be advised that many western medications aren’t found in China, or go by another name. Also, living in Beijing with serious health conditions is not advised, and wheelchair accessibility is severely limited.