Definitely check out Ikea, it’s right near where you’ll be located. If you’ve been to an Ikea you know what to expect. Fill your empty apartment out with inexpensive houseware and eat a 5 yuan hotdog or two on your way out.
Regarding international calling, you can buy phone cards which is what I used to do, years ago. The last 2 years I’ve been using http://www.jajah.com which works perfectly in China. Here’s how it works: sign up and pay whatever amount you choose and you can dial any number and talk using your phone. Login to their website and dial the number you want and they call your cell phone and connect the call. It’s ridiculously cheap, like 2 yuan / hour if I remember correctly.
Lastly, welcome to Chengdu.