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ZhongShan Park - Advice on finding an apartment

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Shanghai Expat Forum Index » City Living Forums » Relocation and Moving

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Fireslinger

Newbie

Joined: Oct 26, 2009
Posts: 5

Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 26, 2009 - 10:29 PM
Post subject: ZhongShan Park - Advice on finding an apartment

Hi all,

I'll be arriving in Shanghai next week (Nov 3) and I am looking for an apartment right near ZhongShan Park to stay until August 2010. I was wondering if anyone here could help me out/give me some advice.

I would like to find :
- A furnished apartment within walking distance of ZhongShan Metro and Carrefour (more or less 5min)
- 2/3 bedrooms + 2 bathrooms
- Internet
- Compound with a pool & gym
- Budget : 8000 RMB

Would anyone have some advice & info on :
- Some compounds
- Best way to find it : local agents (any recommendations?).. ?
- How much should I expect to pay.Today on SmartShanghai, some agency added these offers :
Regents Park
http://www.smartshanghai.com/prop/41850 (1bedroom)
http://www.smartshanghai.com/prop/41839 (3bedrooms)
http://www.smartshanghai.com/prop/41836 (3bedrooms)
Isn't that a bit expensive Question

- What do you think would be my chances are finding a Chinese room mate to share such an apartment ?

(I found this topic (http://www.shanghaiexpat.com/MDForum-viewtopic-t-72793.phtml) when searching for some information, basically someone in the same situation but it's a year and a half old so I guess it may be outdated.)

Thank you very much,
John

monalisalee

StreetBeater

Joined: May 10, 2005
Posts: 2464
Location: Shanghai
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Posted: Oct 26, 2009 - 10:55 PM

Mate, searching the internet even today can be outdated, so forget about 18 months ago.
Just beware of ANY site. Many listings do not exist, or have been listed to catch your attention.
Of the top of my head, you should find a place you desire for under your budget.
Little confused though, are you on your own, but want a room mate, thus 2 bathrooms?

Nother John.

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johnboy88

fulltrack

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Joined: Sep 17, 2008
Posts: 296
Location: Shanghai
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Posted: Oct 26, 2009 - 11:04 PM

Quote:

Of the top of my head, you should find a place you desire for under your budget.

Not in Zhong Shan park, 2/3 rooms + 2 bathrooms at least 13.000/M

good luck,

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monalisalee

StreetBeater

Joined: May 10, 2005
Posts: 2464
Location: Shanghai
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Posted: Oct 26, 2009 - 11:17 PM

I think miracles are possible. Yes, is a fairly hard ask.
We will see.

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johnboy88

root
SuperStar

Joined: Oct 06, 2008
Posts: 1300

Posted: Oct 26, 2009 - 11:20 PM

Usually, rent for furnished apartments in Zhong Shang Area begin from 3600 rmb/m. I guess it is only for 1 room/1 bedroom ones. Good location, anyway.

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Fireslinger

Newbie

Joined: Oct 26, 2009
Posts: 5

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Posted: Oct 27, 2009 - 12:08 AM

Thanks for your replies, I really appreciate.

Actually, I am coming on my own to do an internship in Shanghai. I assume that by sharing an apartment, I can get a better deal.
Guess I'm kind of picky so I thought I could perhaps find an apartment and then find some room-mates Razz

! This explains why I was asking about a 2/3 bedroom apartment.
Thought I would ask about a Chinese room mate, I think it could be some good cultural experience. Wonder if any of you would have any feedback. I get the impression that this is some kind of luxury apartment for most of them whereas on my side it's a pretty good deal compared to what I could get back here in France where I live.

You guys don't really seem to agree on price though !
@monalisalee Thanks for the tip. I will have to visit in any case.
Just hope to gather some names of good compounds and agencies and know about price ranges.. basically have some idea of what to expect Smile

monalisalee

StreetBeater

Joined: May 10, 2005
Posts: 2464
Location: Shanghai
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Posted: Oct 27, 2009 - 12:25 AM

I have p'md you, but you can see there are two price levels, those for expats, and those for locals. Can be a big difference in price, but little, or no difference in the quality of the place you get.
Most certainly do not pay for a rental sight unseen. devil

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johnboy88

leeas123

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Joined: Sep 18, 2008
Posts: 91

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Posted: Oct 27, 2009 - 02:17 AM

i think 8k a month for a 2/3 bed with 2 bathroom is possible in zhongshan park. i say that because am in one. my flatmate found it through an agent but ive no idea which or where.

regents park is nice and right by metro but i dont think its worth what the agent in the ads are charging. you might want to take a look at da jia yuan (garden) instead.

similar prices can also be found in jingan too. a friend of mine is living in a 3 bed with 1 bathroom just 5-10 mins walk north of nanjing west metro, costing 7500 a month i think. sorry, don't know compound.

living with a local can be a hit or miss. ive not had very good experiences and as far as i know, those who do and have lived with locals have had issues too. the habits and standards are just too different for my liking. if you picky, i would not recommend it as it could drive you insane.

Fireslinger

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Joined: Oct 26, 2009
Posts: 5

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Posted: Oct 27, 2009 - 05:43 AM

Could not find any mention of "da jia yuan" on Internet Smile

I was actually staying at Jing An this summer at a hostel, perhaps you mean the "One Park Avenue" compound. It's a very nice area but this time I need to stay by ZhongShan Park.

I see what you mean when you talk about living with a local Wink

Guess the best is some local with overseas experience.

If anyone has any recommendations of compounds/agencies/prices, please do tell me Smile

Cheers,
John

leeas123

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Joined: Sep 18, 2008
Posts: 91

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Posted: Oct 27, 2009 - 10:20 AM

not one park avenue; i dont think 7500 can get you a 2 bed there.

dai jia yuan is on the left hand side of kaixuan road and wanhandu lu/rd, just before the river. 5 mins walk to the metro.

living with returning chinese is less of a risk but even then, old habits die hard. I know a bunch who spent 5-10 years studying in canada but you wouldnt know it most of the time by the way they are. i cant imagine how they cope without an ayi.

monalisalee

StreetBeater

Joined: May 10, 2005
Posts: 2464
Location: Shanghai
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Posted: Oct 27, 2009 - 11:40 AM

leeas123 makes good sense there. The chances of you coming out with a GOOD local flatmate are very remote.
Add to this the fact you are picky, and you will be working quite hard as an intern, you may be wise to look at a nice one bed place, where you can crash out without having to work around a stranger with habits that dont suit you.....

You will get a place for close to "roots" quoted price.
If you want cultural intercourse, there are plenty of ways you can meet people in your spare time, or get a girl friend, (or boyfriend for that matter).
(just dont go to tea parties, or art exhibitions with them) Very Happy

Beware the scams.

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johnboy88

skaaght

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Joined: Sep 27, 2009
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Posted: Oct 27, 2009 - 02:13 PM

3bd/2bath 10th floor, 10 Year old building. Inside newly remodeled w/ ikeas finest. 135m^2 Intersection of Dingshi& Yanan (about 15 minutes from zhonghshan metro, but adding for your comparison). We are paying 9k for a 4 month contract. Asking price was only 8k but that was for a 1 year.

We are very close to a jiaotong campus, so that might make the prices comparable to being a few minutes closer to the subway. Also, there are countless easy to use buses on yan'an

Anyhow, if you go for 2bd, smaller place and the longer contract you are looking for it should be pretty doable under your budget.
---------------------------------
Edit
----------------------------------
Should mention - don't bother with english websites or expat-focused agencies. They will screw you on price. Just show up at a local agent in the neighborhood you want(plenty of them on the main roads). Bring a chinese friend (coworker, etc) that WILL NEGOTIATE for you.
If during the negotiation it sounds like they are about to kill each other, then things are going as they should.

mrc112

Seeker

Joined: Oct 26, 2005
Posts: 61

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Posted: Oct 27, 2009 - 08:40 PM

Hi,

I used to live in Zhongshan Park for many years. You can definitely find something reasonable in your price range! A couple of suggestions:

St. Johns (Sheng Yue Han)-Changning Lu opposite Cloud 9, on the other side of the Light Rail
Zhongshan Gong Yu-Changning Lu directly across from St. Johns
Da Jia Yuan-Kai Xuan Lu to the North of Cloud nine (I had a friend paying 5000 for 3 bed/2 bath)
Cheng Ning Hua Yuan (I think) is the next larger complex after St. Johns

a little further away, but still walking distance are 2 options
Hai Xin Hua Yuan (Anxi Lu between Changning and Yuyuan Lu)--I lived here when I first moved here and paid 4000 for 3bed/2bath--can't guarantee that price...it was years ago
another new local apartment complex is further down Anxi (between Yuyuan and Wuyi Lu)

Yes, you do need to see a local agent. There are at least 4 or 5 agencies right outside Zhongshan Gong Yu. Walk into any one of them and tell them your requirements. Best to know Chinese or take someone who can translate for you. There are also alot of smaller local agents along Yuyuan and Anxi lu. They look like "hole in the wall" type places, but that's where I found my place and it was fine.

Good luck!

2shanghai

Barker

Joined: June 08, 2009
Posts: 134

Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 27, 2009 - 11:06 PM

8k (plus utilities/internet/pool) is what I am paying for a 2bdrm / 1bath in the set of buildings just south of Regents Park. We looked at Regents but didn't like it (the layouts, the noise for some of the units) though a classmate is living there and likes it. We had our own furnishings already so we had to negotiate moving the landlord's out (unfurnished is more expensive...)

Roommate idea is brave of you - I did the same when I interned in the UK and it was fine but there was no language (and a minimal cultural barrier).

Where are you interning?

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Fireslinger

Newbie

Joined: Oct 26, 2009
Posts: 5

Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 28, 2009 - 05:08 AM

Thanks for these additional answers and for those different compound names.

Sounds like quite a few of you are recommending going to a local agency. I have already contacted some "expat" agencies and I'll see what they can offer. However, I'm also going to try and go to a local agency with a Chinese (my Chinese is still not good enough to go on my own..). I'll try and ask a few I know to see if they can help me.

In any case, I'll give feedback on how this turns out Smile

@2Shanghai:
The company where i'll be interning right now is by Yan'an Xi Lu / JiangSu Lu but they are moving end of November right close to the ZhongShan Park Metro stop. It's an advertising company.

2shanghai

Barker

Joined: June 08, 2009
Posts: 134

Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 28, 2009 - 10:33 PM

Good luck and welcome to (soon) Shanghai!

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Fireslinger

Newbie

Joined: Oct 26, 2009
Posts: 5

Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 28, 2009 - 10:37 PM

Thanks mate.

Some chinese contact gave me this link which I have been exploring (it's in chinese) :
http://rent.online.sh.cn/index.php?mod=web&fun=rent_search&lineid=2&st ation=1859
Seems to be quite a few offers near ZhongShan Park and good prices I believe.
However (unless if I'm not searching properly or my chinese skills are not good enough) I believe none mention a pool/gym. Does this make sense, even when selecting a high budget ?

MH360

Barker

Joined: Mar 29, 2007
Posts: 142

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Posted: Nov 02, 2009 - 01:36 PM

Regents Park is a brand new apartement building, the high price is reasonable.

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shanghaicitylife

Seeker

Joined: July 25, 2009
Posts: 46

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Posted: Nov 02, 2009 - 01:48 PM

Hi Fireslinger,

I have a friend who may be looking for a house mate.

Can I check with you a few questions?

Gender & Nationality?

Zhongshan apartment offers ard 6.5k/mth for a 3/2/2 room.