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Good Neighborhood for young Married American Couple- no kids

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joero90

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Joined: Mar 27, 2006
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Posted: June 07, 2006 - 09:25 AM
Post subject: Good Neighborhood for young Married American Couple- no kids

Hi,

My husband, 32 years old, and I, 27 years old, are relocating to Shanghai mid-July from Washington DC. We've been married 6 months and have no children. We will be staying in the Shimao Riviera in Pudong while we look for a permanent place to stay- we'll be in Shanghai for 3 years. We don't have kids now, but most likely will have our first child before we leave. My husband will be traveling A LOT, and I'll be left behind to enjoy the city and culture. We are looking for a place that is convenient to restaurants, cafes, shopping, and especially a comprehensive fitness club- weights to dance to cardio to yoga to boxing, you name it. We were in Shanghai in April, but for only a few days and although we looked at many apartments, we really didn't get to investigate actual neighborhoods. The Shimao in Pudong is awesome- but the location does not seem very convenient to the many thinngs the city has to offer and to what we are looking for. We definitely do not want to miss out on anything and I would love to be able to walk a lot of places, instead of taking a taxi/metro all the time.

Can anyone please recommend some neighborhoods that might meet this criteria? We're looking for a serviced 2 bdr + office plus 2 baths, LVG/DNG with some storage space. We've seen apts where the style and decor is gret, but either location or size is compromised... we've also seen places where location is perfect, but size/decor is not...you know? Does what we are looking for exist in a nice neighborhood for under $4000 USD a month? If you had to compromise, what would you compromise? What seems to be the most important factor to your happiness regarding your home? Any feedback you could provide would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Magnolia
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Joined: June 01, 2004
Posts: 31550

Posted: June 07, 2006 - 09:46 AM

Unless your husband needs to have close access to the airport or his office is in Pudong, you may prefer to be in Puxi, specifically the former French Concession or Jin An district. There are many compounds that have the ammeities you would like and are close to a myriad of other activities. Some to investigate are Royal Pavillion, Ambassy Court, The Summit, La Doll, Lakeview, Shanghai Centre and perhaps Champs Elysees.

If you have to be in Pudong, then Jin Qiao are has a lot to offer and is growing considerably. Note that it is a good distance from the city center, but there are many expats (albeit a lot with families) living there. A few restaurants and bars, along with some shopping and entertainment. Many of the compounds are new. It is a lot further out than Shimao Riveria though and requires taxis to get downtown.

It may take a few weeks, but you should be able to find the perfect home...

IAmNotYao

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Posted: June 07, 2006 - 10:34 AM

"I'll be left behind to enjoy the city and culture" translates to stay away from Pudong! If you want to experience the city and culture you'll find more interests in Puxi I think...your husband can tough out the occassional trip to the airport, I do it all the time from Puxi and it's not all that bad...good luck! My thoughts only...

Mon_Mon

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Posted: June 07, 2006 - 10:42 AM

For young couples with no kids I suggest to stay within the city centre in Puxi (as Magnolia said in JingAn and French Concession area). With US$4000 could be quite easy get an apartment - may be look for service apartments to avoid the trouble of getting ayi etc.

hammerforlife
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Joined: May 24, 2004
Posts: 3087

Posted: June 07, 2006 - 10:52 AM

Worth looking at all the areas mentioned. Agreed that Puxi is far more likely to be the sort of place you want to be looking in. Jin An area, French Concession / Xujiahui could all be worth a look.

Of course it also depends on how convenient it is to your husband's work (assuming it is only him that will be working?). Travel to work can take a long time if you are in the "wrong" area.

Sambo

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Joined: June 21, 2005
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Posted: June 07, 2006 - 06:37 PM

Your situation sounds very similar to mine (similar age and very soon to be married...my other half is away about 40% of the time and we'll be having our first child in 6 months after being here just over a year). My criteria were much the same as yours when we moved here. But you have a slightly bigger budget!! You'll easily find a really nice place for that money. Stay away from Pudong if you want to be able to walk out your door and experience other humans and shops, restaurants etc. Magnolia is spot on with her recommendations. Good luck!

Michael

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Posted: June 07, 2006 - 07:02 PM

Your first priority should be being on the same side of the river as you or your husbands work.. otherwise the commute would be a big issue.

joero90

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Posted: June 07, 2006 - 11:06 PM

easyhome

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Posted: June 08, 2006 - 01:55 AM

It looks like you have been feazed by apts. Hope my suggestions could help.

joero90 wrote:

My husband's office is in Puxi, on Tian Yao Qiao Road (I think), just west of central downtown. However, he will not be commuting to and from the office regularly- he will spend most of his time traveling the Asia Pacific during the week. We just chose the Shimao because we thought it would be a good opportunity to check out the lifestyle in Pudong without committing to a lease- we'll be staying there for six weeks while we find a permanent place.

Maybe I"m being too picky? That's why I posted on here. Here are some places we saw in April:

Lakeville- really small and kind of dingy- but PERFECT location
With good luck you will get a 160 sqm furnished apt there but there are seldom big apts avaliable there.
Arcadia- Nice, average looking place- good bathrooms, bad facilities- noisy, but fun, neighborhood
Yes it is just an average rank complex but could be a choice if you get confused in too many complexes
Grand Gateway- reminded me of Las Vegas hotel- great pool, nice furnishings- but my husband didn't care toomuch about it- although right down the street from his work
Hotel feeling but somebody likes it, the location is quite nice for you.
Regalia- small but nice apt, didn't like location at all
Too far for your husband to work, no shops, restaurants nearby. Need taxi to go anywhere, no advantage is compare with Shimao Rivera.

Top of City- GORGEOUS apartment, beautiful decor, fantastic location, membership to Total Fitness and nice grounds...but no storage space at all- really small
As I know, there are some duplex apts in this compond which is about 230 sqm within your budget. Did you see that already?
Ambassy Court- hated the apartment but LOVED the facilities and location
The layout is not so good and the complex itself is a little old, if you didn't insist in Former French Concession then you can forget it.
Central Residences- didn't like the apartment- ugly furnishings- but great view of beautiful park
Which building you saw? No.2? Try to visit some apts in No.1 and No.3 with nice view facing Dingxiang Villa(the park you indicated), some landlords have good taste of renovation but same problem as lakeville, there are seldom nice apts avaliable.
City Apts- Great location, HUGE Spacious apt with ample stoprage- but furnishings/decor is not our style at all!
Hotel feeling, too old.
Shimao- great view, FANTASTIC decor- great bathrooms- great facilities, but in Pudong (we really have our heart on Puxi)
With your buget, you must could get a nice apt in Puxi, just keep it in mind and that's OK.
Silver Court- too much like a hotel
Great location but the building is too poor, compare with other choices you can forget it.
Shanghai Centre- I understand it is soo expensive b/c of amenities and catering to expats- but we totally were not impressed at all- very hotel like
Too expensive and too small. Forget it.
Parkview- nice apt with good bathrooms- decent furnishings- not a lot of storage space- no facilities and not sure about location...
It is just near your husband's office, with easy access to metro, park and shopping center. grear view and nice layout, the only disadvantage is its poor facility. Only have an small outdoor pool and a small gym.
So that's what we have seen. We are working with a company, and they told us that we have seen evrything in our price range for what we want- 2bdr + office, 2 baths, kit/lvg/dng- plus storage closet plus cleaning services 2-3 x's a week.

Am I being ridiculous? I have been researching online for months and there are 100's of buildings out there. My husband and I have a great quality of life and we do not want to compromise too much- I am leaving my career behind and my almost 6-figure salary- so I really want it to be worth it.
Try use different company and compare, tell your agents your comments of the apts you saw,you must could find the apt you like.
I suggest some complex which you havn't seem, maybe you will like.
1. Oriental Manhatten, in xujiahui. near your husband's office, very nice facility and complex enviorment.
2. The summit, very famous complex in former french concession, prefect facility, same quality as Shimao, disadvantage is the apts there didn't have balcony.
I think you prefer a big complex which you could have the chance to communicate with other people also its location should be near shops, restaurants, where you could get by walk. Am I right?
Anyway thank you to everyone who has rsponded and I really do appreciate your feedback and welcome anything at all that you could share with me- whether it's to say there are more choices or to say I am being ridiculous!
There must be some communicate problems between you and the realty company you work with. Otherwise they must could find out what you want after visited half of the apts you listed. You should try to let them understand your taste and your life style.
Thanks!

Magnolia
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Joined: June 01, 2004
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Posted: June 08, 2006 - 10:06 AM

for places that you didn't like the decor, you may wish to see about decorating it yourself. oftentimes, the compounds will balk, but it can be done. somewhere like top of city, keep seeing apartments... they are individually owned and decorated and you never know what other owners have done regarding storage facilities.

Michael

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Posted: June 08, 2006 - 10:10 AM

For 4000K you should be able to get two units on the same floor.. make one a bedroom and one a living room and then you have a couple of huge walkin closets a guest room.

subhashis.basu

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Posted: June 08, 2006 - 10:39 AM

If your husband's office is in Tian Yao Qiao Road, then I suggest you look for a appartment in Xuijiahui. At your budget you will get very good place there. Your husband will save lot of time from commuting......that's the bonus, both of you can spend more quality time together & explore Shanghai.

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Motto to live by: Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn ou

sass

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Posted: June 08, 2006 - 11:04 AM

Must say Royal Pavilion has been a good place to live. Lived here for 2 years, and the location is great. We will be moving out of a 3 bedroom, 3 bath and can not really complain too much about the decor, and ammenities. Sometimes wish the staff spoke better English but they are trying. Has a nice gym, and an outdoor swimming pool. You should look into it.
Best of luck in Shanghai. My two cents,,, STAY on the PUXI side. No reason to go to PuDong if you do not have kids.

Sass !!

lucar

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Posted: June 08, 2006 - 11:41 AM

^You ain't selling off any of your stuff is you?

drummissimo

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Posted: June 08, 2006 - 05:46 PM

i didn't know the it is THAT DIFFICULT to find a place if you have a 4k budget... Wink

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mem0998

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Posted: June 08, 2006 - 07:42 PM

joero90,

my husband has lived in Puxi for the past year in a serviced apartment. I'm going to need some help from other members to figure out what it's specific name. It's the Marriott, both hotel and serviced apartments, near Nan Jing Lu, about 5 blocks straight up (or down) from Xintiandi. I would live there in a heartbeat (I'm bringing two kids over in August...we're headed to Pudong). He has 2 br, 2 bath, one nice big closet, smaller kitchen, nicely furnished. He and I could live there quite comfortably. The service is very good, there is a nice gym, indoor and outdoor pool...Starbucks in the lobby (that's the key for me!)

I did think he said to me once that it was 6,000/month USD, which is crazy! But one of the things you may be able to do is go back to his firm and say you need more money, that you can't find appropriate housing for their allowance, as crazy as that sounds. Did you see apartments slightly out of your range as well? That way you can make the comparison if you actually do need more money, or if more money still won't get you what you want. There may be some wiggle-room in your budget...depending on the company.

Good luck with your search....

drummissimo

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Posted: June 08, 2006 - 07:48 PM

the JW would be a nice place for 2 people, but i think it will be two small for a family of 4-5...

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Truth, after all, wears a different face to everybody, and it would be too tedious to wait till all were agreed.

Sambo

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Posted: June 09, 2006 - 12:37 PM

Joero90
Expanding on what i posted before...Do you really want to live in a serviced apartment? They are all very hotel like and after a while it does your head in not feeling as though you can make the place your own...I would personally advise considering an apartment where you hire your own maid - they do exactly the same job and you pay a lot less for the priviledge!

I used to work briefly for a real estate company last year (looking after expat leasings). They are called World Union (www.liveinshanghai.com.cn) i have no idea what they have on their books now, but i know that they were very accommodating to expats and gave ltos of help afterwards. They're based in Plaza 66 offices, ask for Jean Ju (Manager).

In my experience, it is better to negotiate (hard) on an apartment where you can choose some or all of the furniture yourself (make it clear that's what you want to do from the beginning). I have seen gazillions of apartments and Chinese taste tends to be a little different from western (ie gaudy, cheap and a fondness for leather-look sofas). This way you can take advantage of the fab antique warehouses here where you can get originals or they will make fabulous copies of furniture, very quickly and for a fraction of the cost back home. The landlord agrees to a budget for furniture and that comes off your rent, you must provide receipts and get it all agreed in writing, but i found expats liked this option as it gave them choice and made their home their own and at the end of the day, they can give it all back with the keys or negotiate to keep. You may not want the 'hassle' but if you're not working, it'll be a fun thing to do.

I live in Ladoll, it's got fab gardens (best in central Shanghai in my opinion) and have high ceilings and good sized rooms, though it depends on the individual landlord's style in terms of decor...they are in the process of finishing the long-awaited gym 'complex' (all i know is that there are tennis courts on the roof, a pool and gym, but unsure what else at present). My fiance flies all over SE asia regularly too and the journey to Pudong airport is 40 mins door to door (we are very close to Yan an elevated highway). I am very happy here and locals seem to think this place is one of the best in Shanghai...We're 5 mins from metro and Nanjing Road shops, Shanghai Centre etc.

I would have also recommended you view The Summmit - great location right in heart of French Concession and, if you can stretch your budget (or bargain really hard) and really want to live in Serviced accommodation, you have to look at 41 Hengshan Road...we lived there initially and it's one of the best addresses, though tiny gym and small gardens in my opinion. But finish is good and the location is great. Though it aint cheap.

Other thought would be The Kerry Centre - Serviced apartments not far from The Shanghai Centre, on Tongren Lu/ Nanjing Road.

Don't poo poo the idea of an 'old style' lane houses or apartment...these are in more local areas, but there are some stunning ones with real character and for me, offer the most tasteful of options, but you won't have the expat facilities. You should be able to get a non furnished lane house for your budget.

oreo

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Posted: June 12, 2006 - 09:30 PM

Hi, we are like you but have lived in Shanghai 10 months. Totally agree with Sambo. Initially we arrived and really needed the comforts of a serviced apartment. We live in a low-rise apartment complex in the french concession, and it's quiet and serene while being a short walk from nice bars and restaurants.

However now that we've been here a while, we feel very confident that we can handle life without the help of a management company! We started househunting this weekend for a place to move to later this summer. Here are some thoughts:

La Doll - fabulous grounds, totally peaceful and serene. Large apartments, some not well decorated, good location. Prob my #1 pick right now
Top of City - excellent location, but noisy (close to the highway, poor window insulation, construction). LOTS of inventory available
Chevalier - nice location, higher floors have good views, but didn't really do it for me. Bit pricey

Oriental Manhattan - very nice, some beautiful units in there, gym closeby and great location if you enjoy Xujiahui

We are actually going to be looking at Shimao Riviera next. Also we will be looking at One Park Ave - would be curious to hear from anyone living there now to see whether it is noisy or not (my main concern).

joero90

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Posted: June 14, 2006 - 05:36 AM

oreo-

We are staying in Shimao Riviera for 6 weeks starting July 17th while we look at other options. If we don't find anything we like better, we will stay there. The place we are staying in is absolutely gorgeous and huge (232sqm) plus full size washer and full size dryer in a separate laundry room with a huge storage room- but everyone says evil things about Pudong.... Since Shimao is located right on the river across from the Bund, do you find the location to not be so bad? I can't imagine it is that hard to get into Puxi from Shimao... we don't have to worry about commuting, but I do want grocery, gym, restaurants nearby...

Would Love to hear what you have to say about its location!

Anyone else have any feedback on Shimao?

oreo

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Posted: June 14, 2006 - 07:13 AM

I haven't walked around the SR neighborhood much (will try to this weekend!) but the neighborhood doesn't look boring like some parts of Pudong. Other thoughts:

- closer to the Fuxing lu tunnel, which takes you to Puxi quite quickly. Can be in Xintiandi in 7 minutes by car (we clocked it yesterday)
- walking distance to that commercial area where Yaohan (which has a supermarket) and other malls are
- walking distance to Shanghai East International Medical Center (important if you might have a child?)
- if you plan to have guests stay with you, 232 sqm becomes really nice!

For me I like to wander around the streets exploring. The French concession is great for that, and I wonder if we will miss the spontanaeity of walking to bars and restaurants if we move to Pudong. My impression is that in Pudong you may just be relying on a car or taxi to get you to the same types of places. Having said that, it's nice to escape the hustle and bustle of Puxi and relax in your huge apartment!

Crazylife

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Posted: June 15, 2006 - 11:37 AM

joero90 i do belive that you will stay in shimao river . puxi is too crowed....

kiwikells

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Posted: June 15, 2006 - 12:40 PM

No one has mentioned Times Square Apartments (Pu'An Lu / Huahai Zhong Lu) and I do believe these can be serviced. They have a small gym, outdoor pool and are just down from XianTianDi, are a short cab to the Bund and quite modern. Not sure how most are furnished though....

Ventura

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Posted: June 15, 2006 - 04:29 PM

I don't know much about other places, but you might want to check out the earlier mentioned Ladoll City. My company pays 3200US$ per month for 218sqm. I am planning to live here for at least another year before buying property.