For the children

After four years of unpleasant commuting experiences, Zhao decided to quit her job at a garment company.

"I feel sorry for being unable to spend time with my daughter and I want to make up for it," she said

A housewife now, she is still paying for her social insurance, because Beijing only allows people without a hukou, or household registration, to buy a house after paying for social insurance in the capital city for five years – a policy started in 2011 to curb the sky-rocketing housing prices.

"I won't intervene in my daughter's decisions when she grows up, but I want to provide more options for her before that," said Zhao, adding that if possible, she would consider buying a house in Beijing.

"For me, living in Yanjiao is a second choice, and I don't want to see my daughter endure the hardships I have experienced when she grows up."