hey all-

can someone recommend a place for me? i prefer pudong, as my offices will be in pudong (nanhui.) but, i'm looking for a 2 bedroom/2 bath place. i prefer a large modern kitchen, not the typical chinese style hole in the wall kitchens. most importantly, i need a place with decent sound insulation (is that even possible in china?) as i will be setting up a music studio in one of the rooms. furnished is fine, something a little more to western tastes, rather than a chintzy chinese style place. ceilling to floor windows, high rise, is nice, but not necessary.

my budget is 1350/month with utils, so, i'd like dsl, satellite/cable tv, water, gas, electricity included in that as well. no solicitations from real estate agents right now. i just want to know what people can recommend. thanks.

kai

Budget is a bit low.

We got a nice place next to Century Park for about US $650 a month. 3 bed, 2 bath, decent sized kitchen. US$ 1350 might not get you into a villa in Jinqiao but it should give you a lot of choices in Pudong.

I think you will be able to find an apartment that suits your requirements for that budget. There are apartments all over Pudong... with a HUGE range of prices. The soundproofing / insulation is the only questionable part... I am not sure how readily you will find that.

Yah, that's what my research has shown me. I have a wide variety, from local apts to service apts for that budget. I was especially interested in Champs Elysees. Looks like a nice place, good service, large apts, at a good price. I'm not looking for a villa, jsut a 2bdrm. flat. Does anyone have a recommendation on Champs Elysees either way?

Chingy- what is the name of your apt complex?

And Mag- thanks for your help. I'll be looking for you when I get to Shanghai. Should I be looking for Magnolia, or do you have another name you go by?

carrol wrote:Budget is a bit low.

LOL. You can get 3 bedroom villas in Pudong for 8000rmb/month.

kappakai wrote:And Mag- thanks for your help. I'll be looking for you when I get to Shanghai. Should I be looking for Magnolia, or do you have another name you go by?

She does go by Buddha Biatch on Thursdays and Saturdays.

Just opened a book that came across my desk... some of the prices were as follows:

Shinmao Lakeside Garden - 1200-2000 (2 bedroom)
Shinmao Riveria Garden - 1300-1800 (1 bedroom)
Tomson Garden - 1000-2000 (2 bedroom)

That was all the listed in Pudong at that range... BUT there are tons and tons and tons and tons of others. You really won't have a problem. The book in which I was looking really caters to the more expensive compounds in the city. For some reason, I was thinking that Champs Elysees was in Puxi rather than Pudong but I could be mistaken or there could be more than one development.

your budget is more than enough to find a good place. Maybe carol thought you meant RMB

hey everyone-

thanks for your help. i've been in shanghai for a week now, and i've settled on ninth city (di jiu cheng shi) in pudong. i got a three bedroom place there, 17th floor, for about $1000 in rent, $1300 after utils/ayi/ADSL.

honestly, after having done my search, i think all of you are coming in still a little bit high. i know there's like two markets, one for lao wai, and one for dang di ren. my real estate agent was taiwanese, and she definitely knew her ****. for example, at shimao, i saw a 177 sq ft, 4 bedroom place for about $1200. i also saw a place at hui hao tien xia (lujiazui, across from yanlord), 3 bedroom, for $900. if any of you are looking to move soon, i can refer you to her and her company.

thanks again. getting settled down now... time to get out and enjoy this crazy city.

kai

Hey Kai,

Whoa !!! I'll be moving to Pudong from States soon, and all the apts I've shown were serviced apts for US$3000/month!!! I did not know you can get a 3 bedroom for $1000!! Maybe you oughta give me your taiwanese agent's no...

I'm looking at transportation too, wondering if it's better to lease a car with driver or simply take the taxi... People, please comment...

pixie

The prices range greatly... all depends on what you are looking for! If all your agent is showing you are USD3000 per month, then I'd say they are trying to take you for a ride. Find a new agent. Don't tell them your maximum budget.

Leasing a car with driver would be good if you will be far away from your office or will do traveling throughout the day. Most drivers work a standard workweek which means that evening and weekends are overtime. Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive. It really depends on your usage and needs.