Hi everybody:)

I'm moving to Shanghai in October and I've just started to look for an apartment to rent. I'll work in Pudong so I want to find apartment there or somewhere in Changning or Jingan close to metro line 2.
The apartment should be nice in western standard but not luxury. 1 bedroom, kitchen and bathroom...dining/living room is not a must. What is a price range? Can I find something for 3000-4000?
I can speak Chinese;)

Thanks in advance

Regards

Szyszka

A nice (ok, decent) one bedroom for 4000rmb is doable in Jingan. Not sure about Changning. It's gotten pretty pricey in the last couple of years.

You could try Changning district apartments in the surrounding area of Metro Line 2: Weining Lu Station or LouShanGuan Lu Station.

A nice 1-bedroom apartment in Zhongshan Park (Metro Line 2) is also around that price.

i'm in Jingan and my 2-bedroom apartment is 10,000RMB so i don't think your budget can extend to that.. even if it's 1-bedroom. But I think some of the older or smaller apartments will be a lot cheaper in the area, at least, that's what I've heard!

try asking Adrienne on the boards, she's a gem

What about Chinese websites like:
sh.focus.cn or shanghai.anjuke.com
They offer some apartments in Jingan for this price range. Are they reliable or what?
Example: http://shanghai.anjuke.com/v2/prop/view/6456825

Forget the websites if you are not in China for immediate follow up, ask Adrienne as suggested above. She has another person in her company that handles deals in your budget range.

Hi,

I'll also be moving to Shanghai in Oct, may I have Adrienne contact? Thanks.

Adrienne:

Blg 5, 2nd Flr, No. 289 Wu Yuan Rd, Xu Hui District, Shanghai, China

Tel: (8621) 64710255 or 64710288
Mobile: (86) 13122810421
E-mail: Info@shanghaiprops.com
Website: http://www.shanghaiprops.com

WeiNing MRT Line 2, a nice expat community. Directly above the MRT, there might be 1br apts for rent at that price range. But you need to be here to scout around. Exit the national library, you can also search the surrounding neighbourhood. But be prepared to fork out more in case you can't locate something suitable, there are always other options if you have more budget. Also, once you get here, there are tons of real estate ppl in the neighbouhood who can be of help.

If all else fail, you can always share a 2br apt with somebody, the neighbourhood agents or shanghaiprops might be able to hook you up with someone.

Another good thing living near the national library, the are overseas newspapers from all major cities updated almost daily and its not censored. There are also tons of internationl english magazines, at the ground level is a nice coffee place. Very rare indeed.

@Renovator - thank you very kindly for your recommendation. I don't think I have met you (not that I can recall:-) but if/when I do, the drinks on me.

@Ah Beng - thank you also for your referral as well.....ditto above.

I just wanted to add a little insight into the world of real estate agencies here in Shanghai so that newcomers can get an idea about it. We have some more on our Advice on Leasing but below relates to the local agencies. Hope it is of some help.

When dealing with local agents keep in mind that most of them are focused on SALES as this is what bring in the big money for them. With leasing, many agents haven’t actually been inside and seen the properties on their books so they don’t know if it matches client’s needs, apart from being the right budget, size, number of beds and correct location. Try asking them to show you apartments with modern IKEA styled furniture. It is best to try to get as much detail as possible about each property offered including pictures, if possible.

Some local agents do tend to show you everything on their books irrespective of whether it suits what you briefed them on as they have a fear that another agent will show you these other places and they will miss the deal. This can be rather frustrating habit here. Lastly, unfortunately, some landlords won’t allow agents to take photos so agents need to drill the landlord on the interior style. Because of the wonderful world of the internet, you can do lots of your own research before you come here and won’t have to spend quite as much time “traipsing the floor boards”.

Just some background information on the industry here. The local Real Estate industry is really only ten or so years old in Shanghai as prior to that properties were either built and owned by the government or an overseas developer. Therefore, the infrastructure, systems, training and experience within agencies is all relatively new. Add to this certain “un-regulated practices” and you have a sort of “wild west” scenario that belies the size and modernity of this city.

Because of the infancy of the industry and lack of experience and understanding of an expatriate’s requirements, I think it makes good sense to get referrals from other expats.

Adrienne