Hi all!

My GF and I (30, Switzerland) are moving to SHA in January. Maybe one of you guys can help me out with one of the following questions:

1) What University / language school would you suggest for intensive chinese classes for one year? I want to achieve good speaking and understanding after one year, and I'm willing to go to class every day and work hard (at least, that's what I'm planning ) Money matters for me, that's why I'm not looking for some fancy expat place. Is University the choice? If so, which one?

2) We have an appartment already, but we're planning to move after a couple of months to a bigger place. I've seen some fancy real estate agents on the net, but I'm not really into paying double price just because I'm foreign (guess that's something I have to get used to, though, if I read the forum... ) Any suggestions? And what is the definition of living room / bedrooms? We'd need a living room (big enough for a table and a sofa and TV...) and a bedroom plus two rooms (one for me to work in, another for guests). Would that be a 2LR, 2BR?

3) I've heard about this new law that makes it illegal to rent an appartment if you're not married. Does that mean we have to get married?

4) Any suggestions on Cable / satellite TV? I need the Premier League and german Bundesliga.

5) Do people play poker in SHA? Another addiction of mine. Or is it illegal?

Thanks in advance for your answer, I'm looking forward to meeting you guys soon. Your discussions on this board have been a great help for us.

Best
H

1) don know
2) 2B1L, get your chinese friend to negotiate the rental for u
3) this is not muslim country
4) been here for 1.5 years and still looking ways to watch most of the major leagues with english commentary.
5) do u mean online poker? most of the online poker block your access to their website from mainland china, but i used to play on xxxxxx in shanghai and so far i dont have any policemen knocking my door yet.

thanks yinlin, appreciate your input

3) no joke, was on the news big time.

5) online too, but I can exist without that. but a live game once in a while?

3) for renting apartments not beiing married since you are both foreigners i do not see where the problem would be? should not be a problem

3) if that makes a difference, ok. thanks!

3) don make love in public places then all well
5) live game, depends on your stake. friendly game is quite easy to be set up and you can find some info in this site.

live poker is um.... alive and well in shanghai. you can find a game every night of the week, whether it be with friends, or a little more serious. stakes range anywhere from 100 kuai to 10000 kuai buy in games. games are available at restaurants, bars, clubs and private rooms. you'll find weekly tournaments as well. the skill level varies, so i'm sure you can find something that will suit your style. NL is the dominant game, but there is also omaha available.

as for online, i understand pokerstars is accessible.

1) http://www.sie.sjtu.edu.cn/page/en-page/long_term.asp

5) Do people play poker in SHA? Another addiction of mine. Or is it illegal?

Spot Bar most Mondays and Tuesdays. Texa Hold 'em

4) Any suggestions on Cable / satellite TV? I need the Premier League and german Bundesliga

Tough to get in your house on the Satellites availibel. Unless you have a place for a 2 meter dish to pull the SA sat. Check the websites at bigbamboo.cn. and the Spot. German owner at the Spot, so most of the Bundeliga is usually broadcast there

thanks everybody for your answers, really appreciate that. I'm more into "friendly games", so I guess I'll find something. Seems like I'll be visiting the Spot Bar sooner or later... NL Hold'em and Omaha are fine, that's all I need. My GF will be thrilled... *lol*

p1atl10 wrote:Spot Bar most Mondays and Tuesdays. Texa Hold 'em

More details, please. Time, game, cash/tourney, standard, buy-in, rake, number of players...........

2) Would that be a 2LR, 2BR?

If you need space for a decent dining area and living area then you need 2 living rooms which is written 2L.

When you are looking for a larger place then have a search through past posts on this site and find out popular places. Then contact a number of agents to get rental prices. You will have your own place to stay in the beginning so you will have time for your own research here.

There are 3 kinds of developments here, ones built by developers that are rented out to expats only, local housing that is built by developers and sold off aleady fitted out in a particualr style. The last type are apartments and villas that are sold as concrete shells and fitted out by owners to their own taste and style.

Unfortunately many local styles don't suit western taste but you can find some landlords who do have a sense of style. Try to get as much information about the apartment as possible and ask if it has modern interior decoration and furnishings. Often it is best to ask if they have IKEA or IKEA styled furnishings as that usually gives you a good indication of it's interior. This will save you time visiting places that are really not suitable. Many locals like heavy dark wood ornate furnishings or white with gold trimming. Chandeliers are also a preferred form of lighting so bring your sunglasses with you:)

Lots of local agents have never seen the places on their books so best to ask them to make a call to the landlord to get more detailed information of the apartments. It will just cut down on the time you spend seeing places that your grandmother might admire but you wouldn't necessarily like.

Please have a look at our Advice on Leasing to get some tips before you arrive.

Adrienne
http://www.shanghaiprops.com

findus,

i haven't played the spot bar game, but i know i love shanghai has games on sunday nights (and another night, can't remember which so i won't say) which are about 200 kuai buy ins no rakes! bubba's also has a game tuesday nights, as well as a tourney starting saturday. tourney is 400 beans to buy in, 100 goes to food, 300 goes to the pot. about 30 people. excellent game, great people, good atmosphere, i play there every week. there's a cash game afterwards too with a 300-500 max buy in, again, no rake. you can check out shanghaiexpat.com for more info.

Hi,
I am an English teacher at Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) - this is my first job in China and I have been here for 8 months. This might be a place for you to look for language lessons/courses. I work at the original campus in the Hongkou District - very convenient to the subway line and for reaching most places in Shangahi. This is just an average Shanghai area and I think the prices are very reasonable here. However, I am not familiar with detailed housing prices because SISU provides my housing as part of my contract.
Good luck,
Rui

Hi Hadddaroni,

I know a free lance real estate agent, who is bilingual, (I helped teach her English, over several years,) she has specialized in helping expats, fom all over. find the rentals they want. She found me a rental, and now an apartment, which I have bought with my new Ch. wife. She also organized my sattelite T.V, and it is working fine, after one year. She is 32 years, honest and trustworthy, and as she does not have large real estate overheads, is good price. She also does some Mandarin teach. Just P.M. me if you need her help.

You can get Mandarin teaching many ways here, but one on one is the best, I think, and will not cost arm or leg.

I think the "have to be married" thing is rubbish. First time I heard of that. I lived in rental with my fiance, and no prob.

Good Luck.
John.

Everybody

Thanks again, you guys are of great help. John, I will certainly get back to you about the freelance agent. And I'll have a look at your site, too, Adrienne. I've already noticed that IKEA-style means modern furnishing...

I do not worry about my poker addiction anymore, and SISU sounds like a place worth checking out for my studies. Thanks again, everybody, this is great!

Best
H