Housing, cars, living expenses

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travelnut

Newbie

Joined: May 01, 2004
Posts: 1

Status: Offline

Posted: May 01, 2004 - 11:15 PM
Post subject: Housing, cars, living expenses

Hi

I am relocating to Shanghai in the next 3 months.
Currently quite clueless about what to expect, so I would appreciate any help from you:

1. What kind of car will I get for 5000 RMB per month? I am planning to lease

2. What kind of housing and facilities will I get with 3500 USD per month? I am married with 1 kid (4 year old)

3. How much higher or lower would day to day cost be compared to places like Hong Kong or Singapore?

Many thanks to anyone who helps!!! Question

okido

Rocker

Joined: Sep 14, 2003
Posts: 667
Location: A planet called Earth
Status: Offline

Posted: May 02, 2004 - 12:14 AM

1. Car - probably nothing too fancy. my company pay Rmb10,000 for a sedan with a driver. gas is not included.
2. Housing - USD3500 per month you will be able to live some high-scale apartment compound where many expats and rich locals live, or, even better, some vilas with gardens at the skirt of downtown Shanghai. My friend lives at a quite famous downtown high-scale apartment compound with satellite tv, gyms and swimming pool. Three-bedroom, two baths, big living room and decent size kitchen, all facilities (frig., washing machines, microwave, air-con, major furnitures). She pays Rmb8000 (equal to USD1000) for rent pre month.

3. Generally speaking, comparing to HK and Singapore, the cost of living in Shanghai is very very very cheap if you are not particularly picky. Take transportation for example, Rmb10 for the first 3 kms and 2 for each km afterward. Rmb2 to 3 for subways. I live alone and my monthly utility expenses seldom exceed Rmb500.- Rmb50.- each for dining at local nice restaurants and Rmb100.- each at VERY nice restaurants. But, of course, things and quality of services you get in Shanghai are not the same as that in HK or Singapore. If you demand something that are of the same quality, especially services, Shanghai can be quite expensive.

Hope I didn't confuse you. HK, Singapore are more "developed" in many aspects after all. But, here in Shanghai, you sometimes have to pay for things that are taken for granted elsewhere. For instance, don't like people cut in the cue and no one care at the local supermarket? Go to the one where expats go and pay the "expat" prices.