Hi I will know this week if I have been successful in joining a company based near Block 28 Danba Road, Putuo district and I guess as everyone else who ask's, I would welcome any advice on finding somewhere to live with a easy hassle free commute to the office as this is my first time to Shanghai.

I will have an allowance between RMB 10,000 - RMB 15,000 ... I am also looking for advice on cost of living and where to catch the Premier League Football.

There is a prize of free beers for anyone who gives the best advice when I arrive in particular for watching any Chelsea FC Matches and decent accommodation advice.

Thanks in advance

Petters

Premier League Football

best bet probably the Camel bar
also try Bulldog, O'Malley's, big bamboo, Malones, the Spot (prob in that order!)
all addresses and map available on http://www.smartshanghai.com

Hi Petters. Welcome, assuming you do come.
Danba Rd. is well to the north of Putuo, and is in a very much local area. (I live nearby)
You will probably prefer to live more downtown, where the action is, and do a commute.
Here are a couple of sites that will help with metro and bus routes. Of course can taxi too, but will cost more, and time of travel is unreliable.

http://www.exploreshanghai.com/metro/

http://msittig.wubi.org/bus/

I think the new # 7 Metro may go close to Danba. I will check.
Your allowance is more than adequate for a nice place in downtown area.

Will p.m you.

John.

Putuo is in the north part of Shanghai. There are few properties there that expats typically live in as it's mainly local housing. It also doesn't have quite quite the infrastrucure and entertainment areas that expats prefer. North Jing An district apartment blocks like One Park and Eight Park would be perfect for you.

Please have a look at our Advice on Leasing for tips on negotiating.

Good luck with the job and see ya in Shanghai some day soon.

Adrienne

I recently saw a compound called Waterfront, located in Putuo district..
It attracted my attention because it has a indoor basketball court
But I'm not sure if it's a serviced apartment or regular compound..
I also don't know about its price range neither..

Adrienne?

dincer80 wrote:I recently saw a compound called Waterfront, located in Putuo district..
It attracted my attention because it has a indoor basketball court
But I'm not sure if it's a serviced apartment or regular compound..
I also don't know about its price range neither..

Adrienne?

Yup. It is quite a nice place indeed.....a regular compound. Some expats are living there. I was kind of assuming that Petters was single and didn't recommend it as it is a little isolated and a little too far from the action in the Jing An area. I think once people are established with friends they can venture out a little but not sure if it is good for newcomers. Not many sports bars in that neck of the woods and taxis get pricey just to go and watch a game.

BTW, how is Tai Fu Ming Di going? Not much noise I hope.

Adrienne

Thanks everyone I am now 24 Hours from finding out if I will be moving to Shanghai. Thanks for the options and please keep sending them to me as I appreciate your help. Picking up on some of the comments I am single but also I am 41 and will be taking a Senior role for the company I would be joining.

I have been looking on-line as well and think for year 1, I would like to live somewhere where everything is hassle free and included. I like the idea of the Waterfront as I have seen it has a pool, Gym, A/C, Heating etc but also I would like an easy commute to the office near Block 28 Danba Road, Putuo district.

If you can keep the thinking caps on for now and thanks for the sports bar tips I will buy some beers when I am watching the Chelsea FC Games for anyone who wants to join me for the game. I currently work for Chelsea FC hence the need to see the matches.

Petters

Petters22 wrote: I currently work for Chelsea FC ...

Why did you sell Stoch?

Adrienne wrote:BTW, how is Tai Fu Ming Di going? Not much noise I hope.

Nope, not anymore.. Almost everyone moved in already

Nice compound, nice apartment.. Quite happy so far..
Landlord is a bit "unreachable" sometimes but we manage

dincer80 wrote:

Adrienne wrote:BTW, how is Tai Fu Ming Di going? Not much noise I hope.

Nope, not anymore.. Almost everyone moved in already

Nice compound, nice apartment.. Quite happy so far..
Landlord is a bit "unreachable" sometimes but we manage

Good to hear you aren't living in a construction site. Actually, those days are nearly gone as most places now are sold off as finished (kitchens/bathrooms/flooring) so you don't get the 24/7 drilling and banging that used to engulf new apartments in the first year they are built. The really lower end local ones are still unfinished on sale but they are more in the poorer areas and outskirts of town.

If you have too many issues with the landlords ask your agent for a face to face meeting to discuss things. Usually sends out a message that things are serious.

Adrienne

Adrienne wrote:

dincer80 wrote:I recently saw a compound called Waterfront, located in Putuo district..
It attracted my attention because it has a indoor basketball court
But I'm not sure if it's a serviced apartment or regular compound..
I also don't know about its price range neither..

Adrienne?

Yup. It is quite a nice place indeed.....a regular compound. Some expats are living there. I was kind of assuming that Petters was single and didn't recommend it as it is a little isolated and a little too far from the action in the Jing An area. I think once people are established with friends they can venture out a little but not sure if it is good for newcomers. Not many sports bars in that neck of the woods and taxis get pricey just to go and watch a game.

BTW, how is Tai Fu Ming Di going? Not much noise I hope.

Adrienne

Do you know what the prices of these houses are to rent/buy?

cheers Justin

Yay I have got the job, so let the adventure begin see you soon Shanghai

dincer80 wrote:

Petters22 wrote: I currently work for Chelsea FC ...

Why did you sell Stoch?

I don't see how Petters could have got the job today... The transfer window ended earlier in the week...

Anyway, have a great time.

Adrienne wrote: If you have too many issues with the landlords ask your agent for a face to face meeting to discuss things. Usually sends out a message that things are serious.

Not too many actually, but I think I should do that considering contract renewal date is coming closer..

dincer80 wrote:I recently saw a compound called Waterfront, located in Putuo district..
It attracted my attention because it has a indoor basketball court
But I'm not sure if it's a serviced apartment or regular compound..
I also don't know about its price range neither..

Adrienne?

justinbirm wrote: Do you know what the prices of these houses are to rent/buy?

cheers Justin

Not sure on sales price but Waterfront Apartments (tai xing jia yuen) rent for around 15k for 3 beds and 2 beds go for around 8-10k.

Adrienne

1st of all congrats on getting the job.

as my team, middlesbrough, are in the championship and judging by their start to the season likely to stay there, then I decline the invite, though I do have liverpool, man city and utd friends who would gladly take on your offer. I also have a friend who is a Sheff Weds fan, but he doesn't like to talk about it.

i have a friend who lives in the Waterfront compound, in fact I played poker at his place a few weeks ago, nice pad, though I didn't ask what facilities it had.

Are you getting a driver from your company, would be great if you could then it really opens up where you could live.

lots of places to watch the footie, eg spot, bulldog, big bamboo, camel, o'malleys, park tavern, blarney stone and on and on...

when are you likely to start your new job ?

Thanks badger02 ... I am due to start on the 20th September, as for the driver I only get an allowance of RMB 2200 Per Month for transport so not sure that will get me more than the spare wheel

2200 gets you a taxi to and from work, up to 44 RMB per trip, which is a looong way, so why bother about a driver?

If I remember correctly, driver with his own car costs around 2000 per month. At least it did 2 years ago.

A driver's salary is around 2,000rmb per month and the car rental ranges from around 4,000rmb per month to 14,000rmb per month depending on vehicle.

I think the cheapest deal of car + driver that we have is around 6,000rm per month.

Adrienne

getting taxis to work and back is fine as long as you can get one !

many times it has taken 15 mins to get a taxi, and on occasions my wife has taken over an hour especially when it is raining. i bought an electric scooter just for getting around shanghai for personal use, makes it much easier, you may want to get one for going to work as well, horses for courses.

traffic is busy, and driving standards are low, but you quickly get used to it, in fact of to the driving test place to have my 2nd go at the theory test as I failed my 1st go last friday. doh !!!