Join Now Recruiting Volunteer
Docs Index - Living In Shanghai - Places To Live in Shanghai
  Date 03-Apr-2006  Print current page  Show map

Places To Live in Shanghai

Tina Li  Author e-mail address  Author URL
Places To Live in Shanghai
Choosing a place to live in Shanghai

The first challenge facing new Expats is finding a place to call "home". Usually, it is best to start one's search by going to various real estate / housing agencies in town to utilize their services in finding a proper apartment or villa, to rent or for purchase. While these agencies are often helpful, it is still best if one can get well informed of some things about the Shanghai expats house market as well.

Several main points to be considered when hunting for an apartment:

  1. Location - Location of your new home and its proximity to work, schools and convenient household chores and regular activities is one of the most important
  2. Budget - Of course based on your requirements, you will need to work out what your budget is and then search for the proper places that fit.
  3. Parks and Activity - Based on your family/ living situation, you may need to look into places that offer amenities such as open green spaces, or gyms, or other facilities or proximity to such, to keep you and /or your family active and happy.
  4. Schools - Those with children will need to consider how convenient it is for children to get to the various private international schools that their children may be attending. This may play a key role as to where to live.Certain complexes offer shuttles or school bus stops from the various schools.

Given that location is the primary factor in almost ALL of these considerations, below is a brief introduction to some of Shanghai's districts

Shanghai Areas:

Shanghai is divided into two main areas, Pudong and Puxi, which lie east and west of the City's mother river----the Huang Pu River. Pu Dong(the east area of the river) is relatively new while Pu Xi (the west area of the river ) is the older original city where many local people still live. Altogether there are 18 districts in Shanghai.

Here are the list of several main districts where most Shanghai expats live:

Xuhui

As one of the most prestigious living areas, is situated at the southwest of shanghai. The old French Concession in this district assembles almost 90% charming historic properties of the city. At Xujiahui junction, several large department malls form a thriving commercial area. The Shanghai Catholic Cathedral, Longhua Temple and Shanghai Stadium are some of the main features of this area.

Luwan

As one of the shopping areas of the city, Huahai Road runs through this district. Huaihai Road is renowned for its flourish from the Xiangyang Road street market, where you'll find cheaply priced clothes and bags, to Isetan, Pacific and Parkson department stores. Also along Huai Hai Rd in the LuWan district is Xin Tian Di which has become THE entertainment center where many western restaurants and bars converge with various features for locals and tourists alike.

Jing An

The Jing An district has the highest concentration of entertainment, high-level residential and commercial properties in the city. You can find The Portman-Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Hilton and JC Mandarin Hotels and many international brand shopping malls and grade A offices, like CITIC Square, Plaza 66 and Westgate Mall here in this disrict. The Shanghai Exhibition Center, Jing An temple and Jade Buddha temple,are all famous historic buildings that have survivied to witness witness the amazing development of this district.

Huangpu

Huangpu district is located at the center of the city. In this area, Shanghai Grand Theatre, People's Square, Shanghai Museum and the Bund are the well-known sites for most tourists and expatriates. As one of the tourist and commercial center, expatriate residential are less chose than other three districts.

ChangNing

Situated in western Shanghai, the Chang Ning District has been developing into a very nice place to live and work. New development areas composed of Gubei and Hongqiao, known as some of Shanghai's nicest residential area make this area a new favorite for expats

Gubei New Area

Started as a new residential development less than 10 years ago, this area is surrounded by top and mid-grade apartment complexes, and is one of the earliest expatriates communities in Shanghai. This area contains many businesses catering to those who are willing to go out and enjoy life with restaurants and retail centers throughout this area. The popular Gubei Carrefour supermarket is located here. From this area it takes about 15-20 minutes to reach Shanghai Center and only 5-10 minutes to Hongqiao Airport by car.

HongQiao

The Hongqiao Area occupies the part of Changning district in the Shanghai map, but it becomes the emblem of this district. Plenty of luxurious villa compounds in this area attract thousands of expatriates' families. This area is known for its earliest field of high-grade office and apartment complexes in Shanghai. Today it is renowned for its luxurious villa compounds with gardens, pools, tennis courts and gyms. As the main thoroughfare, Hongqiao Road welcomes the new comers travel through from the airport to downtown every day.

Pudong New Area

The fastest growing area in Shanghai has got to be the Pudong New Area. Opened for development back in the early 1990's, Pudong is now home to China's tallest Skyscrapper and home to millions of new residents. Pudong is located on the east bank of the Huangpu River that runs through the urban part of Shanghai. A number of bridges, tunnels, ferries and Metro line are link up the two sides of river. New International airport lies here and International air carriers increasingly use Pudong rather than Hong Qiao airport as well as many domestic carriers. Pudong New Area has become a center of new and high technology and advanced manufacturing. It is emerging as a new growth pole in Shanghai. Pudong can be broken down into Lujiazui, Jinqiao and zhangjiang area.

JinQiao

Also known as Jin Qiao Export Processing zone with government's tax incentives, Jin Qiao attracted many big companies such as NEC, GM, Philips and so on. From Green villa to Greenhills, Jinqiao offers first-class villa compounds to many expatriate families. Its own Carrefour and OBI is very convenient to the residents living in this area.

Rental fee and purchase fee for reference:

Rentals: (price: USD/month, Middle Level)

Residential Areas

Downtown
(Jing An/ Xu Hui/
Lu Wan)

Hong Qiao/
Gu Bei

Jin Qiao

Min Hang

Pu Dong
(Lu Jia Zui)

Pu Dong
(except Lu Jia Zui)

Hu Qing Ping and Xin Jing)

1 bedroom Apartment

1000-1500

1000-2000

1000-2000

Not available

Not available

Not available

Not available

2 bedroom
Apartment

1500-3000

2000-3000

2000-3000

1000-2500

1000-2000

1200-1500

Not available

3 bedroom
Apartment

2000-4000

2000-3000

2000-3000

1000-3000

2000-4000

1500-2000

Not available

4 bedroom
Apartment

4000-5000

4000-5000

4000-5000

2000-4000

3000-5000

2000-3000

Not available

Historic houses

5000-7000

Not available

Not available

Not available

Not available

Not available

Not available

Villas

5000-7000

4000-7000

5000-6000

4000-6000

4000-6000

4000-5000

3000-5000

Buy one: (price: USD/square meter, Middle Level)

C= Cement Hand-over Condition, TV= International Satellite TV, G=Gym, IDD = Int'l Direct Dial

Residential Areas

Downtown
(Jing An/ Xu Hui/
Lu Wan)

Hong Qiao/
Gu Bei

Min Hang

Pu Dong

Price

1131-1584

1076-1427

1023-1406

1057-1435

Facilities

C,TV,G,IDD

C,TV,G, IDD

C,TV,G,IDD

C, TV, G, IDD

Source: Loushi Paper, Shanghai Metropolis Real Estate Agency, Elite 8 Shanghai, Shanghai Phoenix Property Agency.
Useful links:**
http://www.shanghaiexpat.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1103552
http://www.loushi.cn/en/sell.asp
http://www.entershanghai.info/country/Ci_12_set.htm
Some Real Estate agencies:**

http://www.shanghai-realty.com/business/cxjg.asp

Agency
Website
Contacts

Easy Home

http://www.easyhome-shanghai.com

Hotline:+86-21-51174877
Email: Agent@easyhome-shanghai.com

Jayide

http://www.jiayide.com

Tel: (86-21) 5213-1280
Fax: (86-21) 5213-1272
Mobile: (86) 137-0161-4216
Email: shanghai@jiayide.com

Metropolis

http://metropolis-sh.com

Cellphone: (86-21) 1391-651-2856
         1390-188-9564,
Tel:(86-21) 6210-9150 / 6210-9157
Fax: (86-21) 6210-8716
Email: info@metropolis.sina.net

Phoenix

http://www.shanghai-realty.com

Tel: 62404052
Email:phoenix@shanghai-realty.com

Jingan Regalia Court

http://www.regalia.com.cn/main_en_location.htm

Tel: (+86 512) 6227 2311 / 6227 2322
Fax: (+86 512) 6227 2229
Email:leasing-shanghai@regalia.com.cn

**For reference use only. Listings are not indicative of any endorsement from this website.

 
Docs Index - Living In Shanghai - Places To Live in Shanghai

Welcome Guest

Username
Password
Remember me
Register Here!
Join the Shanghai Expat News in the Mail
Email:

Latest Newsletters
Events in Shanghai
November 17, 2009


Members
October 27, 2009


Discounts
October 29, 2009


Web ShanghaiExpat

Welcome Guest
Join Us!

Register, it's free!
 Create an account
Members: Online
Members: Members:50
Guests: Guests:671
Total: Total:721

    Home    Sitemap    Terms of Service    Privacy Policy     Contact Us    Advertising 

All logos and trademarks on this site are property of their respective owner. The comments and forum posts are property of their posters, all the rest copyright 1999-2008 by Max Intermedia LTD.

Powered by MD-Pro