China is mulling new plans to bolster development of rental housing. The State Council is encouraging individuals to rent out their own homes, and transforming commercial real estate into rental housing. Far outside Beijing’s North Fifth Ring Road, Beisicun, or North Four Village, provides cheap housing for thousands.
Wang Qianglong, a 26-year-old computer programmer, left his hometown four years ago. He now works in an IT company in southwestern Beijing’s Fengtai district, more than 30 kilometers away from North Four Village.
Wang says the commute is two hours. He has to get up early to avoid what he calls “the mess” on the train. Standing room only, inching along, thousands of other commuters, breakfast in hand, yawning, lining up for a mile.
Locals tell us they are all outsiders. And the area where Wang lives, is home to about 90,000.
“Almost all residents here are outsiders. It’s 700-800 yuan a month to rent a room here, much cheaper than the downtown areas. However, it’s too far for them to go to work. But anyway, transportation doesn't cost as much as rent,” a resident said.
In North Four Village, as far as the eye can see, are rental ads. And on roof tops, lining the streets, and even the buildings under construction, all rental housing.
Wang says he can save more than 1,000 yuan a month living here. Poor lighting, cramped quarters, weak network signals, but Wang says there are also better jobs, more opportunities, and a brighter future.
Waving goodbye to parents, heading hundreds of miles from home, and joining the surge of thousands in suburban Beijing. They all share one goal: to make their own Chinese dream come true. And living in those cramped cells only makes them more determined. After a long day’s work, they stream back to North Four.
Wang says he is hoping for a promotion, and to save more money. North Four Village is full of dreams. In each little room, lives someone's son or daughter, brother or sister, wife or husband. Far from home, and dreaming of making it big whether awake or asleep.
