| Author |
Message |
noangle
Newbie
Joined: June 23, 2005
Posts: 2
Status: Offline
|
 Posted:
June 23, 2005 - 12:07 PM |
 
|
| Post subject: community/neighborhood popular with Americans in Shanghai |
I have an American friend moving to Shanghai for work. She wants to know which community/neighborhood Americans in Shanghai prefer to live as well as other advice on housing. Thanks a lot. |
|
|
|
|
wildstar
Reacher
Joined: May 15, 2005
Posts: 224
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
June 23, 2005 - 12:13 PM |
|
|
need to be more specific... family? likes city? likes peace and quiet? works in Puxi or Pudong?
Not sure there's a particular area that Americans prefer and concentrate... but if there is, I'd like to know too. |
|
|
|
|
|
noangle
Newbie
Joined: June 23, 2005
Posts: 2
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
June 23, 2005 - 12:26 PM |
|
|
My friend hasn't decided the office location yet. I guess she just wants to live where there are more Americans. A friend of mine suggests Xu Jia Hui but I am not sure. |
|
|
|
|
|
Michael
Moderator
Joined: Mar 22, 2002
Posts: 5289
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
June 23, 2005 - 12:33 PM |
|
|
All over...
Gubei... Jingqiao... , off Nanjing Lu around Shanghai Centre,
Depends a lot on budget.. if she has the luxury of setting up her own office.. it really does depend on budget. It is easy to choose with no budget limitation and when you decide first where your office would be. |
|
|
|
|
|
MPV
Lurker
Joined: Apr 11, 2005
Posts: 34
Location: Shanghai, China / Chicago, USA
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
June 23, 2005 - 09:04 PM |
|
|
Very good points Michael.
There are a lot of Americans all over Shanghai, however their are expat family concentrations out near the SAS American school, in Hong Qiao, near Shanghai Centre, in high end service apartments near Huashan Lu, in the villas near Jin Qiao Carrefour and the villas near KangQiao.
She should probably first pick an ideal office location, and then pick the apartment location after that. If the office is a small business that can be located anywhere, then she should try and determine a budget for the apartment so she can narrow things down a bit.
If she came for a preview trip, I'd imagine her thoughts of living near Americans would change somewhat. Shanghai is an easy city to meet people and network in, however living in a building full of Americans doesn't mean you would become friends with them, or even meet them. If meeting and socializing with Americans is important, then she should probably also look to some of the expat organizations and attend some expat functions.
<<<Insert plug for the YPHH cruise and the ShanghaiExpat BBQ>>>
I often initially see, and always try and accomodate, these kind of requests. Its a common reaction to try and limit the change as much as possible, by trying to maintain a social network (and language) that you understand, and that understands you. Evidence of this is the great success of the Jin Qiao Carrefour area. Everyone I have taken there is surprised by how different the area is from anything else in China. English is extremely common, and its simply an easier place to live then anywhere else in Shanghai. Sometimes after a settling in period of a year or more, expats become a little more courageous and try and move out of the expat bubble and head to the French Concession, the local suburbs or other non exclusively expat areas. Very often they fall in love with the culture, the food, and begin to understand a little bit more about China.
Who knows...eventually your friend may find out that integrating herself within other expat cultures, and definitely Chinese cultures, could be interesting and rewarding. For now though, she won't be the only American seeking others.
Good luck to her!
MPV
www.shanghaifinder.com |
|
|
|
|
|
bigspider
Talker
Joined: Jan 21, 2005
Posts: 76
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
June 23, 2005 - 11:18 PM |
|
|
"Who knows...eventually your friend may find out that integrating herself within other expat cultures, and definitely Chinese cultures, could be interesting and rewarding. For now though, she won't be the only American seeking others."
Totally agree. When you are exposed to Chinese cultures, more specifically Shanghai culture, you will see how westernized it is and not really that difficult to live with day in and day out. It is an interactive process.
The website in MPV's signature is also worth a look for your American friend. All in all, you do need a bit courage and adventure spirit to live abroad and socialize with locals. 
Have fun!
B. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Forum FAQ
Search
Preferences
Watched Topics
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
