New Appartment and the joys of renting property

As previously stated I have been flat hunting in Wuhu at 2 locations both close to site of our new office which kept get changed depending on the negotiation's with the landlords and letting agents.

So after at least 5 attempts to find a flat, I find one location near to our now decided office location which has gated entry,lakes and trees and fountains.And is allegedly only 10 minutes from the new office on foot.
So on Saturday Luca,Lydia and my self go to view an apartment to rent in the complex block 3 13th floor.

Renting in China means dealing with the agent and the owner both have a different standpoint which leads to lots of negotiations and compromises.

The apartment is in very good condition 2 large bedrooms one big bathroom with a wet floor type shower no bath and no shower cubicle one massive living room and dining area and a kitchen.To the front of the apartment is a balcony big enough for 2 chairs and a table for coffee in the mornings when the weather warms up a little.
The quoted cost for the apartment is 2000 rmb per month plus utilities plus management fee.This by UK standards is very reasonable however as I am no longer earning UK wages its not so affordable.However if I can share with someone it is within budget.

Decide to think about it overnight and work out the costs involved.Late Sunday Luca decides the flat is not possible for him as the timing is too quick I decide to go ahead on my own which would mean Luca can move into my old room which will make his life more comfortable.

So on Monday Jaquelyn is asked to help me arrange the letting however we discover another agent has the apartment listed at 1800 per month so we call them its the same flat so we say OK lets meet to finalise the deal.
So next day meet the agent and the wife of the owner who then realises we are the same people who viewed it Saturday at 2000 rmb net result she wants 2000 plus 6 months in advance. Jaquelyn tries to negotiate but this woman is not playing ball at all so we leave.

The next day we go to view another apartment in block one however this although in theory is the same size 100 sq mt rs the apartment is not as nice.
So we try again with the agent who talks to the landlord and the first agent also contacts us to say she will also try at 1800 per month.

So eventually it is agreed at 1800 but 6 months up front and all the missing items ie washing machine fridge dining table and two air conditioning units which also provide heat which given the outside temperature of minus 4-5 is most welcome.
Although most Chinese just wear layers and layers of clothes to keep warm and see the air conditioning as expensive and unhealthy.

So we decide on Friday 2 days away to meet and pay deposit and sign contract.
Friday the contract is signed and it is agreed I can move in on the 15th which is next Monday.
However on Saturday Ginny gets a call to say that on Sunday we can sign for the apartment and pay the balance so in total to move in has cost me

deposit 3000
advance rent 10,800
agent fee 900
cable TV one year 135
total 14,835

So Sunday at 12.00 we meet at the apartment it is as promised 2 new air con units one new table 6 chairs one new washing machine and one used fridge but in excellent condition.
It takes a little while to get everything signed then I have the keys so can move in today which means packing up from my previous apartment. I arrived in China 3 months ago with one large bag and a camera bag.

When it comes time to pack i have one large bag one camera bag one new suitcase one new holdall plus quilt plus heater plus new clothes plus bedding.
When everything is packed I have 9 bags in total cant believe how much i have acquired in such a short time.
Thankfully dong dong arrives back and with his and Lucas help we get all these items down 6 floors to the street and grab a taxi to my new apartment.
Thanks guys for all your help it would have taken me 3 trips at least so by early Sunday I'm in and unpacked.

Have to say that the location of my new apartment is not as convenient as my previous one but the surroundings are more pleasant so its a balance between convenience or comfort ill take the comfort of my new apartment over the location.

So i am now in a very nice apartment with plenty of heating and tons of hot water pure bliss mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Thanks to LYDIA, JAQUELYN,GINNY, DONG DONG, LUCA for all the help in making my move happen.