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Always Away shares their apartment moving experience in Shanghai, China. They leave their beloved loft, packed with IKEA bags and essentials, and utilize a convenient on-demand van service booked via an app. With help from a local friend, Alex, they navigate the process efficiently. The video highlights practical China tips like carrying tissues and the seasonal wardrobe needs. They marvel at the speed and affordability of the moving service, contrasting it with experiences elsewhere. The journey ends with them arriving at their new, unique home: a three-bedroom apartment located at the top of a mall.
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More about the current video:(Published on 2025-11-09)
The video chronicles the experience of Always Away as they move apartments in Shanghai, China. Initially, there's a touch of sadness in leaving their familiar loft-style apartment, which had quickly felt like home after only a few weeks. The packing process is underway, with Dominic tackling the kitchen while the traveler packs clothes. They've utilized IKEA bags for transport, finding them a practical alternative to traditional moving boxes, and have purchased essential items like a hob, air fryer, and a large mirror.
A unique aspect of moving in China is highlighted: the ability to order removal services on demand via an app. To navigate this process smoothly, especially without speaking Chinese, they enlisted the help of a friend named Alex, met through a language exchange event. This local assistance proved invaluable, ensuring everything was handled correctly.
The transcript also offers practical tips for living in China. For instance, it's essential to always carry tissues, as demonstrated by the traveler's bulk purchase of Stitch-themed tissues. The sheer volume of McDonald's glasses collected, featuring various characters, adds a personal and humorous touch to their belongings. Packing sharp knives is noted as a potentially awkward task.
Reflecting on the difference in seasons in China compared to other places they've lived, the traveler shows bags filled with jackets and coats, anticipating the colder winter months despite the current nearly 40°C heat. The convenience of a duplex apartment for moving items is also mentioned, along with a clever trick for removing blue tack using more blue tack.
The man-and-van service, booked through an app, is praised for its efficiency and speed. Within minutes of booking, a van arrived, perfectly sized for their belongings. The service allows for selecting van size and the number of people, with a single person being quicker due to faster sourcing. The cost for a half-hour drive was approximately £23 (equivalent in RMB), a remarkably good deal given the swift arrival time.
Alex accompanies the man with the van, while Always Away and Dominic take a taxi to the new apartment. The ease of these services in China is contrasted with experiences in the UK. The video also touches upon the verification process for foreigners using these apps, which can take a day or two, making Alex's pre-verified status a significant advantage. Communication with drivers, who generally don't speak English, is made easier with a native speaker. The new living situation is revealed to be in a three-bedroom apartment at the top of a mall on the outskirts of Shanghai, a rather unusual arrangement.
Finally, the experience of using a premium DD taxi is shared, noting its comfort features like water and controllable air conditioning, contrasting it with their usual budget-friendly choice.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: How easy is it to move apartments in Shanghai?
- A: It's surprisingly simple! You can order moving services with a van and helpers right on the day using an app, and they arrive quickly.
- Q: What's a useful tip for daily life in China?
- A: Always carry tissues with you when you go out. It's a common practice, and you can buy them in bulk.
- Q: How do you pack for China's weather?
- A: You need to pack for distinct seasons. Even if it's hot now, you'll need jackets and coats for the cold winter.
- Q: How do you remove blue tack?
- A: A simple trick is to rub more blue tack onto the existing blue tack, and it comes right off!
- Q: What's the process for using moving apps as a foreigner?
- A: You might need to verify your passport, which can take a day or two. Having a local friend help makes it much easier.
- Q: What was the taxi experience like?
- A: We accidentally booked a premium DD taxi which was very comfortable, with water and controllable air conditioning, unlike our usual cheapest option.
- Q: Where did you move to?
- A: We moved to a three-bedroom apartment located at the top of a mall on the outskirts of Shanghai.
