So after living in Shanghai for over 3 years I've reached the decision that I am going to be a lifer here or live out the majority of my life here, unless China suddenly takes a turn for the worst.

I'm thinking of planning out a future such as family, but to do that I need to do some financial planning. With inflation being so high I don't want all my money sitting in a bank, so I want to look at my options.

If I'm going to invest abroad, I don't want to be in a situation where it involves regular flights to check if everything is ok.

So what are my options or a good starting block to check out what I can do to invest for the future?

I know this probably not the best site to get professional financial advice but I was googling "investing in china" and it wasn't coming up with stuff that wasn't relevant.

Real estate. Only problem now is the bubble may burst and you may end up losing a lot in value. But that's a gamble we all take should we decide to buy a house any time soon.

I know this probably not the best site to get professional financial advice but I was googling "investing in china" and it wasn't coming up with stuff that wasn't relevant.

I guess the answer in there... anyway, since you asked here my 2c. Most of my friends who are running there own businesses did not buy property they need cash. If you are employed you might copy locals behavior and get a loan and a buy a property. Be ready that the Casino will always wins. Go figure who the casino is. I would not buy prop. that's my my personal opinion. Take you money and park it in HK could be even in RMB since it is going to be better of than the $.

Be picky with real estate - ensure the building construction is well documented. You could end up with a deteriorating white elephant with no return. But real estate is the way to go. Also look to get shares soon in Australian mining stocks linked to the new rail/ shipping infrastructure proposed in Australia with majority share ownership in China (GBG for example). Share prices have dropped recently due to some uncertainty, but are likely to move up again over the next 12 months as the infrastructure links to China come into play.

jackgarner wrote:Be picky with real estate - ensure the building construction is well documented. You could end up with a deteriorating white elephant with no return. But real estate is the way to go. Also look to get shares soon in Australian mining stocks linked to the new rail/ shipping infrastructure proposed in Australia with majority share ownership in China (GBG for example). Share prices have dropped recently due to some uncertainty, but are likely to move up again over the next 12 months as the infrastructure links to China come into play.

I've never played with stocks before but willing to try. How to I go about buying stocks?

MoonOverMiami wrote:Real estate. Only problem now is the bubble may burst and you may end up losing a lot in value. But that's a gamble we all take should we decide to buy a house any time soon.

Already bought one so can't get another one in China due to the law. I was thinking of buying one outside China, but there alot of countries where the economy is not doing well and don't show any chances of good growth.

Look into another province...according to some real estate agents they claim that (lets say just for example) Qingdao gov't won't be able to confirm if you have a property in Shanghai. Won't or not willing to confirm, don't know. But, that is what they claim.

I'd stay away from stocks in China...too much gov't interference imo. Plus laowais can only buy B Stock and not the A stock.

SoFarSoGood wrote:

I know this probably not the best site to get professional financial advice but I was googling "investing in china" and it wasn't coming up with stuff that wasn't relevant.

I guess the answer in there... anyway, since you asked here my 2c. Most of my friends who are running there own businesses did not buy property they need cash. If you are employed you might copy locals behavior and get a loan and a buy a property. Be ready that the Casino will always wins. Go figure who the casino is. I would not buy prop. that's my my personal opinion. Take you money and park it in HK could be even in RMB since it is going to be better of than the $.

HK's not a bad suggestion at all. Thanks! I'll look into it!

MoonOverMiami wrote:Look into another province...according to some real estate agents they claim that (lets say just for example) Qingdao gov't won't be able to confirm if you have a property in Shanghai. Won't or not willing to confirm, don't know. But, that is what they claim.

I'd stay away from stocks in China...too much gov't interference imo. Plus laowais can only buy B Stock and not the A stock.

Thanks for the suggestion! Yeah I agree with you, I wouldn't touch China stocks, even if it was handed to me on a plate.

Buy Gold

^yeah..they say gold. the value never goes down.

ShanghaiChanges wrote:
I've never played with stocks before but willing to try. How to I go about buying stocks?

Don't play, you'll loose.

ShanghaiChanges wrote:Already bought one so can't get another one in China due to the law. I was thinking of buying one outside China, but there alot of countries where the economy is not doing well and don't show any chances of good growth.

London

Juan_Tamad wrote:Buy Gold

Good for the foreseeable but expect the occasional correction short term

ShugaPush wrote:

Juan_Tamad wrote:Buy Gold

Good for the foreseeable but expect the occasional correction short term

Gold correction is coming soon , too late to buy into $1600 range !!

shanghaijim wrote:

ShugaPush wrote:

Juan_Tamad wrote:Buy Gold

Good for the foreseeable but expect the occasional correction short term

Gold correction is coming soon , too late to buy into $1600 range !!

Sure, but if you are thinking long term, i wouldn't worry, it'll go higher

ShanghaiChanges wrote:So after living in Shanghai for over 3 years I've reached the decision that I am going to be a lifer here or live out the majority of my life here, unless China suddenly takes a turn for the worst.

Rest of your life or until China takes a turn for the worst? as in a recession, or Boxer Rebellion Part II? China has been doing surprisingly well while other countries have been showing weakness, but recession here is just a matter of time.