What was the weather like in Urumqi, Xinjiang last May?
As for renting a house, it is expensive in the short term and not very expensive in the long term. My location is Xinjiang University, and students rent a lot, so it is more expensive. A single room with bathroom and broadband is about 300-400 a month, and if there is no broadband, it may be about 250. The downtown area is near Youhao Road, and the house price is similar to ours. Except near the school and downtown, other housing prices may be cheaper.
The food here may be different from that in the mainland, mainly mutton. You should be mentally prepared, but there are also Sichuan restaurants and pork, only less. If you can live near the school, you can also eat at school, which is very cheap. It may be around 3.5 yuan at noon, at least outside 8 yuan.
You can write to me again if you have anything.