Feature
Why We Stay photo by Littleones Kids & Family Portrait Studio
I
n mid-January, Beijing and other northeastern Chinese cities experienced record-breaking pollution levels – the worst in the country’s recent history. AQI readings were literally off the charts, ascending beyond “crazy bad” levels. For this reason and more, many families are leaving the city in search of greener pastures. Other factors include the rising cost of education, food and water scandals, and lack of access to nature. And yet, some choose to stay. There’s a special breed of expats who have lived here for 10 years or more; they’ve learned the language, gotten married, started families, established businesses, and sent their kids to local schools. beijingkids spoke to these families to find out what makes them stay when so many choose to leave. In addition, we interviewed families who live in Beijing’s more remote neighborhoods, such as Changping, Tongzhou, and Haidian to find out what life is like on the outskirts. We hope that, like us, you’ll come to appreciate the diversity of the city’s international community.
44
beijingkids
2013 July