I have decided to move to Shanghai from the US. What advice do you have on finding a job, apartment, and living there. Anything you could tell me would be great.
Thanks

Howdy!

I was in kind-of the same boat as you are, except for the job part. Some other folks on this site are more knowledgeable, but for what it's worth, here's my two cents:

Apartment: Never-mind looking at the craigslist or other online postings in English. Prices are waaaay inflated. I recommend you stay at a hotel during your first weeks, and have a chinese friend help you find an apartment through the local agents (unless of course you speak chinese).

Living there: Can't really tell you what your degree of culture shock will be. It's entirely personal. Regarding the more day-to-day stuff, there are plenty of supermarkets and little shops where you can get your groceries. Basic chinese recommended (but not really needed, in my opinion). Bill paying can be done at the post office, with zero Chinese needed. The metro is excellent, but it does close somewhat early (10.30pm-ish for some lines). Taxi cabs are a-plenty, metered, and unexpensive. It's a tad annoying to learn to say the street names, but until you do, you can always carry around a small jotter with your frequently-used addresses written down in chinese.

Do try to sign up for chinese lessons as quickly as you can, it will help you quite a bit!

Anything else? Feel free to PM me.

gwing123 wrote:I have decided to move to Shanghai from the US. What advice do you have on finding a job, apartment, and living there. Anything you could tell me would be great.
Thanks

It's not an easier city to live than those in U.S. why come here?

Moving to Shanghai for whatever reason is what this site is about. People will post bits, but you could do well by looking up specific topics or browse the forums on topics of interest.

Here are a few good links to get you started.
For list of forum discussion on various aspects of relocation.. check this page.
http://www.shanghaiexpat.com/MDForum-vi ... 9669.phtml

For jobs..
http://jobs.shanghaiexpat.com

For apartment hunting
http://cityspace.shanghaiexpat.com
But it is good advice already given to move here first, get a hotel and then start looking. Good places go fast.

Good Luck!

martinear wrote:

gwing123 wrote:I have decided to move to Shanghai from the US. What advice do you have on finding a job, apartment, and living there. Anything you could tell me would be great.
Thanks

It's not an easier city to live than those in U.S. why come here?

Why come here??? Maybe because it is one of the Greatest Cities in The World in one of the most exciting Countries in the World.....

With all do respect ,Martinear It may be time for you to leave China

Snappy Sammy said.

Why come here??? Maybe because it is one of the Greatest Cities in The World in one of the most exciting Countries in the World.....

Totally agree. It's a place you either love or hate. I love it.
I will p.m. you contact of an HONEST agent here. (hard to find).