Hey,

I might move from LA to Shanghai in early 2005... to be more precise, I might have to work in Suzhou SIP, but I absolutely doesn't want to live there but in Shanghai (I already lived almost two years in Hubei and I know what hell means since then).

I understood from my internet research that SIP is about 70km from Shanghai (not THAT far when you live in LA) but could not find any precise information on how to go there from Shanghai...

Should I drive? Is there a highway linking the two areas? How long might it take to commute? Should I get a driver or is it safe to drive by myself?

Furthermore, if I settle in Shanghai, what might be a convenient area to find a house/apartment? Is Changning a good place? Putuo might be more convenient but it seems there is nothing there.... What about more outskirt Shanghai?

Thanks a lot for your help.

Hi Gwen - my business partner lives in SIP and me in Shanghai, so both of us know the Shanghai to Suzhou situation very well - too well in fact!

There is a major tollway between Shanghai and Nanjing that goes right by Suzhou. Time to travel if no traffic around an hour or a bit more. HOWEVER, traffic jams due to roadworks, accidents etc. are very common and you would not want to rely on a smooth run into Suzhou every morning. I have driven myself and it is ok, but not good for the blood pressure (idiot drivers and downright dangerous truck drivers). Some do it, some have drivers, up to you.

The train from Shanghai to Suzhou is very comfortable and cheap (between 20-25rmb for 1st class). The express is less than 1 hour, HOWEVER not all are expresses. Also, it is easy to get a ticket at Shanghai (they have a city ticket office and normally an English counter at the station) but from Suzhou it is long queues and poor service at their ticket office. And often as most trains don't start at Suzhou, they are not express, often full and sometimes only standing room only.

In summary it should be easy to commute from Shanghai to SIP - but it is neither consistent nor reliable at times if you need to be on time.

SIP

FYI

I am in a similar situation as the 1st poster. Staring work at SIP in October.

How has the situation with trafic and rail access changed in the last 4 years?

I would still rent a smaller apartment in Suzhou where I would stay during week time, if I wanted absolutely to live in Shanghai. You could be back here every Friday evening for the week end. This is NOT the US and could have a serious impact on your health and productivity.
Plus Suzhou is definitely not Hubei....I have many friends and clients there (expats) and they seem to like it...