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Like or dislike? Farglory or "City Castle"

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

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Yashodhara

Squeeker

Joined: Sep 29, 2008
Posts: 13

Status: Offline

Posted: Dec 13, 2008 - 04:53 PM
Post subject: Like or dislike? Farglory or "City Castle"

First off, many many thans for this fantastic site - awful lot of great info and really helped our first house hunting days this winter....

IT has been a hard house hunt as we are movin from Bangkok, with large flats, lovely balconies and tropicals all around. BUt, one accepts.

Anyhow, we have so far liked the Farglory or City Castle at Jing' An. We liked the indoor pool, a big must as we are big swimmers and the rooms are nice. However, before it is decided, I would really like to listen to any views from people on this excellent forum. Any high or low points etc....

We have yet to see Top of the city and Ladoll on another day....though these I would need to see individual units . The grounds are quite nice, I must say.

So, any help is appreciated....

CoffeeHawk_0
Board Deity

Joined: July 14, 2005
Posts: 17977

Posted: Dec 13, 2008 - 05:41 PM

The interiors of the apartments can vary greatly; they are "all" likely significantly decorated and physically changed by the individual landlords. With Farglory being the newest but also the most modern, you can expect to be the one to fix issues. Ladoll and TOC places being older likely have most of the issues already worked out.

Farglory is the nicest, most luxury, but the style and layout were very odd to my western tastes. LaDoll can get you very large apartments for the same price as TOC smaller ones and cheaper than FG for any size.

I think the balconies in LaDoll are the biggest and they over look a very large garden with ponds and streams and tropical plants/trees. It is definitely worth looking at before you agree to any place.

If you are a Thai person someone may be able to tell you if one of these 4 places has a small Thai community.

Adrienne

SuperStar

Joined: Mar 01, 2003
Posts: 1433
Location: Shanghai, China
Status: Offline

Posted: Dec 14, 2008 - 07:27 AM

Like CoffeeHawk_0 said, Ladoll/TOC units all have totally different interiors because at handover they were concrete shells and decorated by their owners. Far Glory is a serviced apartment and ws built and fitted out by one developer, is managed by a "relatively" service orientated group and markets to sort term stayers and long term stayers. Ladoll and Top of City were built to be sold of people to either live in or lease out. You then get a large amount of locals have there homes there and a more local style management. They seem to be relatively attentative to the needs of tenants but would be a at different from the likes of Far Glory. There are some very spacious 3 bed apartements over 200sqs availalbe on lower floors that look over the trees and gardens in Ladoll. They have really good side balconies and huge lliving areas and would be moe like the ones you are used to back Bangkok. Their rental is not much more than a 2 bedroom unit at Far Glory. We've got a few of these on our books so if you want to have a look just PM me. Top of City does have some nice units with greenish views but it takes awhile to find them. Have a look at our Advice on Leasing for some assistance with the whole contract/negotiation side of things.

Adrienne
http://www.shanghaiprops.com

etc

Talker

Joined: Sep 09, 2008
Posts: 107

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Posted: Dec 14, 2008 - 08:02 PM

I live in City Castle. Love it. I think it's far nicer than LaDoll, which is showing its age. Top of City is absolute crap as far as I'm concerned. Apartments are old and junky. And I looked at a minimum of 10 units in each complex (as I viewed them when I first moved to Shanghai and then again last year when I moved). City Castle is a good bit more expensive than LaDoll and Top of City for same size apartment.

Problems with City Castle: Staff and security are very intrusive. I tried to move some of my own stuff out of the apartment and they immediately called the landlord to report it. Then got a big argument with landlord as to whether I'm required to give him notice any time I move anything out of apartment. Also, as someone above noted, because complex is new, you get to work out all the problems. When I moved in, I plugged in refrigerator which promptly short circuited the entire electrical system because it was wired incorrectly. Destroyed two brand new plasma TVs and all kitchen appliances. Landlord replaced them all, but it was very infuriating for a while.

Overall though, now that I'm settled, I think the grounds are lovely, the gym is lovely, and am pretty pleased.

Adrienne

SuperStar

Joined: Mar 01, 2003
Posts: 1433
Location: Shanghai, China
Status: Offline

Posted: Dec 15, 2008 - 12:42 PM

Yes, etc is right about City Castle being a great place but it's in a different leauge thatn Top Of City or Ladoll because the apartment were sold off to mainly Taiwanese as investments whereas both Ladoll and TOC were sold off as primarily local housing.

City Castle's interior was finished at handover unlike the other two and the quaility of the finish was high. The good news about City Castle is that some it's rentals have dropped quite a bit as the overseas owners want to rent out quickly.

Ladoll and TOC landlords may well just move into their apartments or wait and see until after CNY. Only a few we've spoken to will drop significantly. Whilst Ladoll is looking a little tired there are a few, I stress a few well fitted out places there, often owned by overseas Chinese who buy them as an investment and spend time and effort on the interiors and furnishings. Others are young first home buyers or elderly couples who have their own unique idea of style. It is primarily their home so they will decorate according to their own taste and live in hope that someone else will like it too.

Adrienne
http://www.shanghaiprops.com

p1atl10

Shanghai Royalty

Joined: Mar 18, 2005
Posts: 8584
Location: Shanghai
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Posted: Dec 15, 2008 - 01:16 PM

Quote:

Top of City is absolute crap as far as I'm concerned. Apartments are old and junky. And I looked at a minimum of 10 units in each complex

I would argue the point a bit about TOC. Have lived in 2 different units over the last three years...Both excellent and updated.

When I moved into the "new" place last spring, looked at quite a few units....as wanted to stay in the complex and my old landlord wanted his place back after 2 years for his daughter.

Like Adrienne aaid....really depends on what units you see.

At the higher end....3 to 4 bedroom, most were very well done and nicely appointed.

But I will agree that some of the 1 and 2 Bedrooms in the older buildings were less than desireable.

Like anything here....depnds on your budget, and what is availible the day you are looking

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etc

Talker

Joined: Sep 09, 2008
Posts: 107

Status: Offline

Posted: Dec 15, 2008 - 01:17 PM

I will add one more thing: Most of the units are decorated identically, and are completely over-decorated. In some rooms, furniture is packed so tightly you can barely move. They obviously hired a designer who was paid by the piece. Make sure you negotiate that they remove the things you don't want before you sign the contract.

vrock

Lurker

Joined: Feb 22, 2009
Posts: 21

Status: Offline

Posted: May 16, 2009 - 09:06 PM

Looking for advice. I just visited City Castle and i really liked it however, there was construction from a building site right next door. The landlord was very honest and said because it's a government project, they start very early and work til very late. Can anyone who lives there now comment on how intrusive this is? and how long is it expected to last?

etc

Talker

Joined: Sep 09, 2008
Posts: 107

Status: Offline

Posted: May 17, 2009 - 02:33 AM

As you can see, I commented several times above with compliments for City Castle. For the past few months, though, I've wanted to rip my hair out. I am terminating my lease as soon as it comes due, and I'd be just as happy if this d*mn complex collapses into hell. The construction noise (by the same developer) is non-stop, and the work ALL NIGHT, with huge lights shining directly into the apartments. Run, don't walk, away.

kimball06now
Reacher
Reacher

Joined: Feb 18, 2006
Posts: 358
Location: Shanghai

Posted: May 17, 2009 - 09:48 AM

The message thread is a few months old, yet noting the Farglory subject I felt compelled to comment. Fair warning, it is a service apartment in name only and dramatically overpriced for its location. The underused pool, always empty weight/exercise room, and rooms were pretty nice, yet otherwise good luck if you opt for less than Farglory. Within 1 month of moving into the completed, yet dead complex, I began contemplating moving out and I'm not too tough a resident to please.

Not that I need to socialize with neighbors, but Farglory had almost NO regular residents. Most of the few people staying there were hotel guests and actually seeing other residents was a rarity (good if you enjoy dead silence yet a bit weird for a social species). What's worse is that the clueless staff treated people as absolute inconveniences and nothing resembling guests (shocker, even acknowledging local standards).

Never really needing a true service apartment, paying for a dearth of service was a waste of money. So, I negotiated an early exit with the savings going right in my pocket. Upon moving, it was with great relief and satisfaction. I haven't looked back much until now.

losoini

Newbie

Joined: Jan 09, 2009
Posts: 1
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: June 06, 2009 - 02:21 PM
Post subject: City Castle

I'm living in City Castle and so far the construction site hasn't bothered us. It depends however of the location of the apartment. I like living here a lot: staff is nice, everything has so far worked ok, and the gym is always clean and comfortable.
Most of the apartments are decorated in the same manner - but there are differences too. Ours is quite big and here is definitively "room to move around". I recommend.

Adrienne

SuperStar

Joined: Mar 01, 2003
Posts: 1433
Location: Shanghai, China
Status: Offline

Posted: June 06, 2009 - 08:59 PM

City Castle are individually owned whereas Far Glory is a serviced apartment. They are all on the same block/compound. It is typical for serviced apartments to have short term residents and I often don't recommend them the best place to live if you are the kind of person who wants to get to know your neighbours.

One of the reasons that Far Glory is pretty empty is becuase they don't market well. And from the sounds of it they offer pretty poor service. I haven't had the best experiences with them and they are pretty local.

City Castle still has some nice quiet units that are good quality and well priced. Some landlords are very keen to rent them out and have dropped from 25k to 17k.

Adrienne

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officeguy

Seeker

Joined: Oct 22, 2008
Posts: 53

Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 02, 2009 - 10:28 AM

Looked at City Castle over the weekend and noticed the construction site with jack hammer pounding away. Can a resident give an update on current noise levels and likely finish date? Thanks.

AUS_Dragon

Lurker

Joined: Nov 06, 2008
Posts: 26
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 02, 2009 - 01:02 PM

myself and gf lived in City Castle for 12 months, its true there are two towers which are serviced but the other 3 are not and are simply apartments like others in town. It is a much better compound than La Doll, 1 Park or Top of City. Security are amazing, no one comes or goes without the resident being called first. When it rains they have walked us to the apartment under their umbrella. Its a great place to live.

prasathpr

Newbie

Joined: Nov 02, 2009
Posts: 1

Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 02, 2009 - 01:09 PM
Post subject: jobs

Thanks

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Veit

Newbie

Joined: Nov 05, 2007
Posts: 9

Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 04, 2009 - 03:25 PM

I live in City Castle for 1,5 years now and I have no complaints. We live in tower 2 and are pretty unaffected by the construction of the phase 2 next door = we do not hear the construction noise.

I can also only agree that the staff there is pretty nice and have helped me a couple of times with walking me under an umbrella from the taxi to the entrance or carrying my luggage. Also I think they have a very good eye on who enters the compound and seem to know exactly who is at home and who's not. I think they try to differntiate themselves through their security and I think they are doing a good job in doing so

The biggest plus of the apartment is the floor heating, which I know not all apartments have, but nothing beats a floor heating during a Shanghai winter. The indoor pool is great and the gym might be small, but since it is not used much there are always some free machines.

One thing we also like very much is, that the residents there are all really nice. We have a dog that we walk a lot in the compound so we get to know a lot of the other residents and they are all very very nice.

Btw: They have a nice playground for children, but this is almost never used since ther don't seem to be too many people with kids living here (yet)

Downsides:

- Gym already closed the second time for a month this year for renovation, even though last time you could not see any difference afterwards. 2x 1 month per year is too much...
- Not as much "park" area as La Doll. Nothing beats the nice lake area of La Doll. We have a dog and we often go to La Doll with him for some more space. There are some lawns at City Castle and maybe there will be more when the phase 2 is finished but I don't know that
- the balconies are not that huge. We would like to have something with a bigger terrace / balcony
- still a lot of empty apartments, which is not really a downside, as it keeps the gym empty

Overall we are very satisfied with City Castle and have just recently decided to stay there and not move.