| Author |
Message |
wagtsh
Lurker
Joined: Mar 07, 2005
Posts: 36
Status: Offline
|
  Posted:
Mar 08, 2005 - 04:30 AM |
 
|
| Post subject: Is Hongqiao and Gubei area a bad choice for us? |
Hi there,
Thank you for reading my post. My husband just received his Shanghai assignment a week ago. Now, we are moving to Shanghai before June. Our babies are 6mo and 2yr in age. Our family priority is to keep the babies active and happy in Shanghai. My husband will be working at Huaihai Zhong Lu, but he will travel pretty often. So, to some extent, living closer to the airport makes sense. It will be good that he can spend more time on seeing the babies than on sitting in traffic.
Also, though it is not a must-have, it will be nice if the place we live in Shanghai comes with a yard (even if it is tiny).
I like the open space and expatriate communities in the Hongqiao and Gubei area. However, I wonder if it is pratical for us to live there taking into consideration the commute to the Pudong airport. If Hongqiao and Gubei is not the right choice, please advise which area will be better for my family.
How about Lujiazui area in Pongdong? It seems (on the map) that there are a lot to do with the kids... e.g. the Oriental Peral Tower, Aquarium, parks, etc.
Thank you very much for your help. |
Last edited by wagtsh on Mar 08, 2005 - 12:39 PM; edited 2 times in total |
|
|
|
Yukichichiri_Hentona
Seeker
Joined: Mar 07, 2005
Posts: 51
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 08, 2005 - 06:49 AM |
|
|
I love Hong Qiao and Gubei area. When I was young, I had such wonderful memories there. Anyways, I had came back to Shanghai last summer and I found out that Hong Qiao (newly developed area) had such magnificent buidlings, environments and parks. There are lot of areas you can visit in Gubei too. From my vivid memories, Gubei has a very clean atmosphere. It is not as crowded as the other districts. Don't worry, this is a good areas for you. I hope you and your family have a wonderful stay in Shanghai.. It's really awesome place to be  enjoy!!!! |
|
|
 |
|
nicklar
Lurker
Joined: Aug 22, 2004
Posts: 39
|
 Posted:
Mar 08, 2005 - 07:20 AM |
|
|
We made the move from Gubei to Jin Qiao (Pudong) this year due to a change of jobs and the commute being too long. Whilst we loved living in Gubei and miss the convenience it's much quieter and cleaner here. The traffic, lack of green space and number of people all got a bit much, especially once we started a family. Plus Jin Qiao is much closer to the airport and it's going ahead at a fast rate. It really depends on what you are looking for. You should check out all areas before making a decision. |
|
|
|
|
|
Wasabichez
PopStar
Joined: Dec 05, 2002
Posts: 1238
Location: Shanghai, China
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 08, 2005 - 08:52 AM |
|
|
If your husband is going to be flying around often DOMESTICALLY, then Gubei is fine. But nicklar has a point in regards to Gubei vs. JinQiao. But I think for a person who is moving to China for the first time, start off with Gubei and if that works for you then ok. That way, you don't feel too desolate out in JinQiao. |
|
|
|
|
|
zhw7
Reacher
Joined: Mar 01, 2005
Posts: 220
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 08, 2005 - 09:10 AM |
|
|
I know a place you may love. A foreign community in Shanghai, seasons villas in Pudong, nearby Lu Jiazui. |
|
|
|
|
|
dalc87
Reacher
Joined: June 04, 2004
Posts: 216
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 08, 2005 - 09:22 AM |
|
|
Basically, I would say Pudong area is newer, less crowded and cleaner (less polluted). The bad thing is that it's kinda far from everything else specially downtown.
Also, concerning the airports, wasabichez already mentioned it... Hong Qiao airport is mainly for domestic flights where as Pudong has some domestic flights but mainly international.
Gubei is closer to the city, very convienient as you can find almost anything you need right there. 20 mins (or less) to Hong qiao airport and around 50 min to Pudong airport... (basically get on the highway and straight to Pudong) The living complexes are all very nice, with a nice community and playground areas for kids etc....
Hope it helps. |
|
|
|
|
|
lioralourie
Reacher
Joined: Dec 29, 2003
Posts: 223
Location: Beijing
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 08, 2005 - 10:17 AM |
|
|
You might be interested to know--if you're looking for a yard I have a solution.
There are some villas near the Carrefour on Shui Chung Lu which have private yards. Some yards are fenced in (also, some people call them "gardens" here)--the people I know who live there have contracted to have fences built around their yards. My friends pay around 2000-2500 U.S. per month which is very reasonable for a villa (these are a little older than the more expensive ones).
Find the intersection of Yan'An Lu and ShuiCheng Lu. Travel south one block (Carrefour will be on your left). Take the first right. The entrance to the villas will be on your right, halfway down the block. Sorry I don't know the name of the complex.
Also, consider that many of the complexes are serene and quiet once you get inside. Xi Jiao Perfect Garden or Xi Jiao Guest House Villas, both on Hong Qiao Road near HongXu Lu. Perfect Garden are 2-story Townhouses. If you find a first floor, you will have a small yard. There are a variety of sizes/layouts. The Xi Jiao Guest House villas are pricey, but of course they have lots of personal space, too.
Good luck! If you want, PM me--I have a really nice real estate agent whose English is good, too. I'm sure he can help you sort out your options.
In general, family life is very nice in Gubei/HongQiao. Even though it is a bit calmer in Pudong, I think I would go nuts, and feel so cloistered and far away from everything. Here in Hong Qiao, I'm close to all the imported food supermarkets, Carrefour, Ikea...it's a real consideration.
My husband also travels out of Pudong Airport a lot. But we'd rather him spend 45 min. in the taxi a several times a month rather than the baby and me spending that time every day to get anywhere.
all the best |
|
|
|
|
|
wagtsh
Lurker
Joined: Mar 07, 2005
Posts: 36
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 08, 2005 - 12:51 PM |
|
|
Thank you so much for all your help! This is an awesome forum! |
|
|
|
|
|
nicklar
Lurker
Joined: Aug 22, 2004
Posts: 39
|
| Posted:
Mar 08, 2005 - 09:11 PM |
|
|
Actually, I don't think a lot of people in Puxi venture over to Pudong and really see what's happening. I think 'desolate' and 'far away' are not particularly apt. Pudong is moving so rapidly that areas like Jin Qiao will equal or surpass HQ/Gubei in the next couple of years.
1) The travelling time is not that bad. Especially now the Fuxing Lu tunnel is open. It's 20-30 minutes to Xintiandi from Jin Qiao which is only marginally longer than coming from Gubei.
2) Super Brand Mall is 15 minutes way. Pines Supermarket had a huge new store next to Carrefour, Obi and Decathalon, plus there is a foreign book store and a good range of new restaurants like Indian Kitchen and Blue Frog (and still growing)
3) There are lots of great new compounds over here along with very good schools, a community center (at Concordia) and activity groups like High5
4) Century Park - 5 minutes
That's my two cents worth. But as I always say - check out all the different areas first. Schools are also important as you want to be close and not make the children have to travel a lot. Bear that in mind. |
|
|
|
|
|
MIexpat
Reacher
Joined: July 30, 2004
Posts: 324
Location: dongbei
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 09, 2005 - 12:50 PM |
|
|
you really should come on a look-see and judge for yourself...
living in JinQiao I cannot comment on life on the Puxi side but the notion that it is desolate/cloistered/too far away in Pudong is in my opinion absurd - I am in easy walking distance to most of my western shopping needs when I desire such (clothes will always remain an issue...); the sense of community here is strong with the presence of Concordia and Dulwich, numerous housing options, and the community center- there are many advertised social groups to chose from; the traffic is "sane" close to home and manageable when travelling to Puxi... the list goes on...
I think the most important thing to factor into your decision is what are YOU looking for to occupy YOUR time here while your husband is away? at the risk of oversimplifying/stereotyping, do you need the frenetic nightclub scene (aka Puxi) or would green space be more important (aka Pudong)? and if hubby's traffic time is a consideration then you need to know which airport your husband will be traveling through most often
an interesting comment from a friend who has three young children - they as a family valued a yard and so chose a house in a "subdivision"- 8 months into their choice they are realizing that in China having a yard doesn't necessarily bring the same "warm fuzzies" they experienced in the States- lack of kids out "just playing", no one home for BBQs, etc.- that and the HUGE issue of mosquitos have them reconsidering the importance of a yard
anyway - hope this helps! |
|
|
|
|
MatildaGirl
Talker
Joined: Nov 05, 2004
Posts: 107
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 09, 2005 - 02:49 PM |
|
|
It depends what type of lifestyle you want. I found the housing estates in Pudong a bit insular. Nice within the compound itself but not much happening in the local area. I agree with the other comments about visiting for yourself and deciding. |
|
|
|
|
|
andyt
Newbie
Joined: Feb 17, 2005
Posts: 6
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 15, 2005 - 04:55 PM |
|
|
We have a two and a half year old and live in the French Concession. There is no where better to live in Shanghai. People I know who moved there, find it very boring - it is like Stepford (as in Stepford Wives), be aware. We've got an amazing apartment in a quiet lane between Wukang Lu and Xing Guo Lu with great restaurants, bars, shops, architects right on our door step. There's really good kindergartens around. Best parks for children and meeting likeminded people are Fuxing and Xujiahui. It rocks.
The traffic in the French Concession is good so quality of life is as good as it can be. The traffic to get from Hongqiao/Gubei to the centre of town is a nightmare. It all depends where your priorities lie? What kind of things you like? I wouldn't worry about crime because China is totally safe. Any woman can walk around day or night without fear, which is a great benefit compared to London where we came from.
I don't care what anyone says about Pudong - it is a million miles from town and once you've done the century park (not very inspiring as it is newly planted) and the aquarium, it is unlikely you'll go to them again. Because they are building so many new places in Pudong, the air quality in the summer is bad, bad, bad. Come to the French Concession, it is the only place to live. |
|
|
|
|
|
zhw7
Reacher
Joined: Mar 01, 2005
Posts: 220
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 22, 2005 - 08:31 PM |
|
|
Seasons Villas is a foreigners community in Shanghai with apartments, townhouses and villas available for lease.
If you choose it, maybe i can give some help.
http://www.seasonsvillas.com.cn/
It is in Pudong, near century park. |
|
|
|
|
|
wagtsh
Lurker
Joined: Mar 07, 2005
Posts: 36
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 23, 2005 - 05:14 AM |
|
|
zhw7, thank you for offering me help. I went to the website. The place looks great. However, on the map, it is very far away from Huaihai Zhong Lu where my husband's office is.
What is the best way to go from Seasons Villas to Huaihai Zhong Lu? By the subway or by car + driver? If by car + driver, which roads should the driver takes?
BTW, do you live around that area?
Again, thanks! |
|
|
|
|
|
zhw7
Reacher
Joined: Mar 01, 2005
Posts: 220
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 23, 2005 - 09:11 AM |
|
|
wagtsh, they have shuttle bus service with a stop at "xin tian di", Huaihai Zhong Rd nearby. By car, it is around 40 minutes drive, through the tunnel or Nanpu Bridge.
My home is two or three miles from Seasons Villas, but my office is near "Jing'an Si". So it is more convenient for me to take subway line 2. |
|
|
|
|
|
#1VoIPFan
Seeker
Joined: June 12, 2004
Posts: 70
Location: Shanghai for now, next unknown
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 23, 2005 - 02:57 PM |
|
|
I would suggest that you go with the office location of your husband---
if his office is in Huai Hai Zhong Lu, then put Puxi in first priority.
We made our decision a year ago because of the kids' school, which is in Zhang Jiang, we live near the Century Park, work in Nan Jing W. Lu, Puxi(metro #2).
The decision is really for the kids. And we regretted that we didn't pick our office location in Pudong.
Every morning, we have to struggle between: take the metro or go through the tunnel?
If you take the metro, crowds, crowds, crowds. You have to bear with "close contacts" and watch out for pick pockets, people don't wait in lines, so you get pushed in....
If you take the tunnel, even if it is the Fu Xing Tunnel, even traffic is tolerable in the Pudong side, after you go to the Puxi side, traffic is terrible, if you drive, be careful about bikers suddenly show up in front of your car, peds xing streets during red light,...it's really a jungle out there!
and if you take the Yan An Tunnel, the wait time has been sometimes been to 30 minutes before we go through during peak hours.
If you don't work, you can avoid traffic hours to go out with the kids anywhere without worrying the activities---Century park as someone said it before, if you are done it once, it's enough, and (the park is not free), yes, there are buildings every where around it, so the skyline has totally changed, not so open anymore, and the air quality will be getting worse, I am sure.
Your kids are still young, and also school choices are much more in Puxi as it turns out, and for you, Puxi is close to so many places, good restaurants, interesting shops to explore...
Good luck! |
|
|
|
|
|
PuxiMum
Newbie
Joined: Oct 01, 2005
Posts: 4
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Oct 01, 2005 - 12:17 AM |
|
|
I live in Puxi and love the area. It is very busy and the roads are difficult to cross but the many restaurants make up for this. I dine out most evenings and still haven't visited every restaurant in the area. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Forum FAQ
Search
Preferences
Watched Topics
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
