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

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nyc_sha

Newbie

Joined: May 21, 2008
Posts: 6

Status: Offline

Posted: May 22, 2008 - 12:13 AM
Post subject: Lanehouse living

Newbie here so be kind - We are moving to Shanghai this summer and just came back from looking at lane houses in Puxi. If anyone has experience I would love to hear about neighbors, convenience (or lack there of), parking, landlord issues etc. Furthermore, all of the listings we saw were in the 6000-8000 USD range. Is this real or should we bid something like half of that because it looks like comparable sized high rise apartments go for $2000-$3000 a month. Thanks

Oilman

Reacher

Joined: Nov 22, 2005
Posts: 295
Location: Xu Jia Hui
Status: Offline

Posted: May 22, 2008 - 12:56 AM

Not from personal experience, but I hear that older houses/lane houses tend to be Monet's. Look good from far away, but when you get close...i.e. live in them the problems become evident. Plumming, Electrical and Weatherproofing come to mind. Price? Who knows in this city I guess it is whatever the market will bare, but 8K sounds pretty high to me. If you will be working in Puxi or Pudong, Do you have children are two good questions to ask yourself. Foreign schools tend to be outside the city center and commuting to Pudong could be an issue as well. Sorry for the "vague" answer. Several other's should be able to help you, but also use the search function on the left side of the screen. A lot of people have posted about housing here so you can draw on previous posts as well.

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SnappySammy

Shanghai Royalty

Joined: Nov 01, 2007
Posts: 9729

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Posted: May 22, 2008 - 01:07 AM

I live in a Lane House, I love it. I don't care for High Rise living.You can't compare the prices for a high rise. It's apples to oranges.
as for price you need a local person to go and make the deal for you . My home cost half what they were asking on expat sites. I was living on the 18th floor in a very nice building in the French Conncession area. It was comfortable and it was very nice. It also was more then 2 or 3000 per month.

I have parking and I don't really see my neighbors. I am fenced and gated and it is very private.

good luck and good hunting

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voyoung

Newbie

Joined: May 22, 2008
Posts: 1

Status: Offline

Posted: May 22, 2008 - 02:31 AM

Hi there, I live in Los Angeles, but my parents are in Shanghai and we have a lane house available for rent immediately. I actually just posted an ad for my father. I just returned from a visit and stayed at the house for a couple weeks. Great location (JingAn) and definately nicer than staying in a highrise, you can hear birds chirping which is pretty unusual in the craziness of that city. If you are interested, visit the website I just put together for him

http://www.shanghailanehouse.com

BTW, my Dad is in construction and is the landlord. I know it might sound kind of biased, but he is a very honest guy, and speaks fluent English (we grew up in Australia) which is a plus in Shanghai. Anyway, take a look. Oh and it is in your price range.

CIA
LoopKicker

Joined: Mar 23, 2008
Posts: 887
Location: Least Expect

Posted: May 22, 2008 - 08:36 AM

Oilman wrote:

I'll second this and add, why anyone would want to drop multiple thousands of USD a month on anything that isn't new or have ultra-modern conveniences (tvs, highspeed, etc.), is utterly beyond me.

If you want to shell out ridiculous amounts of money to live in a shite box, drop by my place I'll let you sleep under my stairs and will only charge you $1k USD..... Wink

But seriously though, think for two seconds if anything you're really considering makes sense. I've looked at dozens and dozens of lane houses (even the ones that claim they are fully renovated, AND I've seen a very small handful that are 'nice') but still, to spend that type of money I want: FACILITIES AND SERVICE, not a 'historic' pile of Shanghai bricks and leaky everything.

Call me a snob, but like someone else here said: it's whatever the "market" will bear, that market being your pocketbook.

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krez

Reacher

Joined: Apr 28, 2005
Posts: 344
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: May 22, 2008 - 09:02 AM

Hi nyc_sha, we lived in a refurbished lane house, 3,5 storey house, with a small courtyard. It was nice until it started falling apart, raining in, and mildew started appearing everywhere, we then cancelled the lease, fortunately the landlord/owner accepted the problems. It was simply due to very bad renovations. I'm not saying all places are like this, this is probably the exception. We paid USD 2.000 per month for this.

Living there was actually quite nice, the neighbors where nice enough, albeit quite nosy, always peering in whenever our door was open (for instance to bring in groceries) they found that as being an open invitation to come inside and have a look around.

Generally the refurbished houses are much more expensive than the high rise appartments. If your budget allows for 6-8.000USD per month, you should be able to find something quite nice.

One good real estate company for these kinds of houses is Space. www.space.sh.cn

I don't work for them, but they are the ones I have used for a few places, and have been generally happy with their service and selection. They specialize in old appartments and houses, or more speciality living.

Good luck.

little.india
Seeker
Seeker

Joined: Nov 13, 2007
Posts: 50

Posted: May 22, 2008 - 09:54 AM

Oilman wrote:

I totally agree with oilman.
In my opinion, old houses are good from far but far from good.
It may look lovely during spring and summer. Come winter, it's cold, damp and depressing.
No sour grape, i live in one. Hoping to move out before winter comes again....

lababillarde

Rocker

Joined: May 26, 2005
Posts: 736

Status: Offline

Posted: May 22, 2008 - 10:13 AM

I love old houses and walk around these places photographing them all the time. Honestly speaking, I don't recommend you guys to spend thousands of dollars each month to rent a lane house. It doesn't worth your money.

However I'd like the "apartment" style buildings built in the 1920, those Art Deco ones. They're much better in terms of construction materials and safer. These buildings will last.

Don't go for the lane houses.

Hmm.....I'd like to rent one of these apartments one day, and heard from a local friend that these cost very cheaply, not sure though, but definitely cheaper than those offered at Space properties.

sbergman

Veejay

Joined: Sep 12, 2007
Posts: 2144

Status: Offline

Posted: May 22, 2008 - 10:36 AM

Oh, but voyoung's dad's place looks sooo nice.

nyc_sha, you just need to go into it with open eyes. Know that you'd be giving up some convenience and comfort for romanticism and history. If I didn't have kids and had the money, it would have been my choice.

alinsh

Newbie

Joined: Aug 29, 2007
Posts: 3

Status: Offline

Posted: May 22, 2008 - 10:54 AM
Post subject: Scam

It,s a scam...USD 6000 to 8000. For cockroaches, mice, bad plumbing and nosey shanghaiese neighbours and often no sunlight and a view of your neighbours washing.
It,s a bit like the "French Concession"..it,s expanding all the time. I have lived here 16 years and it,s so funny to hear foreigners saying they live in a "lane house in the french concession"..getting the true China experience.

I have an apartment in Huashan Lu..(which is actually the french concession...beleive it or not) 140sq.mt..27th floor, I rent it out for RMB11,000, has clubhouse, pool, gym...blah blah blah.

In my new building my neighbour has just rented his brand new 160sq.mt apartment for RMB12,000, also has pool, guy, cafe etc.

The shanghaiese who are renting out the lane houses are living in the highrise next door..and laughing all the way to the bank.
They are driving their BMW,s and Benz and the foreiners are riding the bicycles.

nyc_sha

Newbie

Joined: May 21, 2008
Posts: 6

Status: Offline

Posted: May 22, 2008 - 10:56 AM

Thanks everyone. Living in a pre-war place here in NYC we certainly understand the maintenance issues. But looking at the listings on newmark, space, ark etc. it seems that prices are really high particularly after seeing voyoung's place . So my question remains, do we just offer 50% off the asking price and see what happens? From some of the threads there doesn't seem to be that much wiggle room in list prices.

dfoo

Post Roaster

Joined: Jan 19, 2005
Posts: 4140

Status: Offline

Posted: May 22, 2008 - 10:59 AM

My friend lives in a lane house in jing an, and it is very nice. However, it is cold during the winter, and they have the occasional problems with mice, cockroaches and slugs. I have no idea of the cost, but she ain't paying, and I bet it isn't cheap!

SnappySammy

Shanghai Royalty

Joined: Nov 01, 2007
Posts: 9729

Status: Offline

Posted: May 22, 2008 - 11:22 AM

nyc_sha wrote:

There's a ;ot of wiggle room. Only you need someone who is Chinese to make the offer. They will be able to make the best deal. You will not get the bottom price, but someone local will.
Not everyone "Gets It When it comes to living in a old house. Sounds like you Get It. I wouldn't want to live in a Modern High rise in New York or Shanghai, but most people prefer it....

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SnappySammy

Shanghai Royalty

Joined: Nov 01, 2007
Posts: 9729

Status: Offline

Posted: May 22, 2008 - 11:29 AM

CIA wrote:

Oilman wrote:

Yes it is beyond you. Your not a snob. You just don't get it. That's what makes the world go round. Its like old money vs new money they are both great to have. But there's diferenece..Old or new money is better then no money

thewalrus
Board Royalty

Joined: Apr 28, 2004
Posts: 7340
Location: i'm halfway up to the bottom of another bottle of my next best favourite friend...

Posted: May 22, 2008 - 11:34 AM

Think it really depends on the state of the lanehouse. You cant juts generalize ALL lanehouses as being full of mice, being cold in winter and having bad plumbing and wiring!

I've got the first level of a lanehouse whihc we restored oursleves, and yes, there are occasional problems, but 99/9% of the time its great. i have a back patio area with BBQ and thats good enough for me!

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SnappySammy

Shanghai Royalty

Joined: Nov 01, 2007
Posts: 9729

Status: Offline

Posted: May 22, 2008 - 11:52 AM

Walrus You "GET IT"

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SnappySammy

Shanghai Royalty

Joined: Nov 01, 2007
Posts: 9729

Status: Offline

Posted: May 22, 2008 - 11:55 AM

I have heat, plenty of hot water, AC, flat screens, and great bathrooms with granite and big tubs with TV's. A yard and a terrace. For me it's great.

ps no mice, the rats keep the mice away

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thewalrus
Board Royalty

Joined: Apr 28, 2004
Posts: 7340
Location: i'm halfway up to the bottom of another bottle of my next best favourite friend...

Posted: May 22, 2008 - 12:06 PM

my place is fine. no rats nor mice as the cats are into them!!!

Leaks = never. Heat = no drama as we have central air con and gas heated wall radiators throuhgout the house for winter. The house is naturallt cool in summer and retains the heat in winter.

Only only gripe is the family upstairs, but this is minor as they stay to themsleves and all the other neigbours are very friendly...

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SnappySammy

Shanghai Royalty

Joined: Nov 01, 2007
Posts: 9729

Status: Offline

Posted: May 22, 2008 - 12:12 PM

thanks for the tip.... I'm going to get a cat.... I bought the rats to get rid of the mice. I should have thought about getting a cat to get rid ot the rats.

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Adrienne

Rocker

Joined: Mar 01, 2003
Posts: 779
Location: Shanghai, China
Status: Offline

Posted: May 22, 2008 - 08:01 PM

All good advice on lanehouses I reckon. Like everything there are pros and cons to them. Because they fall in the "classic and unique" market then it's what someone is prepared to pay and the landlord is prepared to accept so I agree with SnappySammy that you put in a low offer and see what comes back.

I guess one thing I have learned from living in a lanehouse is that it depends on the configuration of the housing in the lane and where your house is as to what level of noise you will have to suffer from the neighbours. They DON'T tip toe around and whisper late at night or early in the mornings so you don't want to be a light sleeper:) But I guess if you want to live in a lanehouse you would have thought abt communal living.

I'd definitely recommend getting a place that expats have already lived in or one that has been renovated by an expat as the wiring/plumbing/crinks should (only should) have been sorted out.

Timing is also taken into consideration when making deals and unfortunately this time of the year's not the best as we are heading for the high season with lots of enquiries. Thus, you may be competing with a few enquries however you won't know if it's higher or lower than yours. But I always think you have a 50% chance anyway on a YES/NO. It also starts a conversation between a landlord and you can sound him/her out. You have NOTHING to loose.

Good luck with it all!

Adrienne
http://www.shanghaiprops.com

WondererWanderer

Seeker

Joined: Feb 06, 2008
Posts: 49

Status: Offline

Posted: May 25, 2008 - 10:49 PM

Hey nyc_sha
Just moved into SH myself and absolutely loving it. I was lucky to find my place. A 1937 spanish style architecture (so 1930s Hollywood)Lane House – great renovation - owner retained as much of the original style and structure as possible but put in all the modern amenities – heating, good plumbing. Fell absolutely in love with the house the moment I saw it –this was house number 3 out of an assortment of 30 (apartments, villas, lane houses etc) I looked in both Pudong and Puxi. We looked at Jing An (Brit concession) and Xuhui (French concession) and favoured Jing An – great location, charming mix of old and new. Houses/Lanes tend to be a bit further apart so its not as tight as in Xuhui. Our street is near Jing An Temple thus near everything else – shopping(haute couture to groceries), eating places (great mix of western and local, from proper sit down restaurants, fast food joints, to hole-in-the-wall local noodle houses and dumpling shops, not to mention Starbucks and Coffee Bean)
There are probably only 3 other expats in our lane and the rest are locals. We can definitely hear our local neighbours during the day – eg karaoke sessions start at around 3 pm and may go on til 8 pm but usually all is quite and peaceful by 9pm.
I would say our rental is somewhere in the middle – great price for our location. I was told by some property agents that you can normally get it down to 80% of the asking price, we did a little better than that. Its good to shop around, each property is so unique, and as Adrienne mentioned it also comes down to timing – finding the right property coming onto the market at the right time – prices do vary (even if the house is the same size) depending on
-location
-renovation
-furnishing
- neighbourhood
Hope this helps. You can PM me if you want to ask me anymore questions.
Good lUck. I hope you find what you want.

Nightshade

Lurker

Joined: Jan 07, 2008
Posts: 28

Status: Offline

Posted: May 30, 2008 - 06:28 PM

Am also looking for an old house. Are they generally safe for females living alone?

Also, about the rats/mice problem, are there any signs that one could possibly spot while viewing the apartment - e.g. unkempt grounds on the first floor, messy neighbours etc. I am definitely avoiding anything on the first floor.

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