Axiom, hit me up when you get here. Me and my gf lives in Beijing. We can also help you with the visa stuff later if you have problems.
Thanks Mikael. (Sorry about the late reply... I have been stressing so much about getting everything done I stressed myself into a bad head cold...)
Well, my Big thing is whether I should do something like get a teaching job so i can get a Z visa and then start looking from there (Not very honest but cheaper) OR Go over on a tourist visa and then look for a job and then pay who knows what to change it over... and that said its not guarenteed that I will find work either.
Just so many things to cover... I thought of a few more things I wanted to add over the past few days while I wasnt feeling good, but for the life of me I cant remember them... ah well, they will come back to me eventually 
An alternative is to come over on a F-Visa, it has a lot of advantages over the tourist visa. There are no real limits as to how many times the F-Visa can be renewed/extended. The F-Visa can also be converted from F to Z without having to leave China. If you are going to stay here in Beijing, i can help you get the F-Visa easily. We also have all the contacts needed for the F to Z conversion, and also to extend the L visa. In the end, it will be a bit more hassle and a bit more costly arriving on a L visa and attaining a Z. From F to Z is far simpler. F-visas can now be extended to 1 year onsite in China and you only have to exit China once a year (Available only to citizens of certain countries, US should not be a problem) . The initial F-Visa u can apply for 1,3 or 6 months with multiple entry. I got the 6 months one when i first came here without any problem. You need an official letter of invitation to get this. This i can help you with.
The health check, here in Beijing you just go do it when/if you get the Z visa. The process is fast and simple. You really dont need to worry much about this. It is also A LOT easier to actually get a job if you are already in China. You do NOT need to make a health check in both your home country and then also China. ONLY the one in China is needed, and like i said, its a simple and swift process (Atleast in Beijing). There are a lot of "scam" schools yes. My best advice for you is to come here first, dont sign any agreements with a company or school you havent met face up. After you have been here for a while you will understand it better then i can explain
and you will thank me for the advice.
