What's good? What's not good? What are the going prices?

My kids (4,7,9) are native english speakers, having learned Chinese in Hong Kong. They will be going to private Chinese school. So I actually would appreciate if they have interactions with Americans/europeans!

Which ex-pat housing compounds in JinQiao are good, with lots of kids outside playing with kids in that age range (4-9)? Which ones should I stay away from (bad management, etc.)? Which ones have good layouts? Which ones have lousy layouts? Which ones have good facilities (playground, clubhouse)? Friendly people?

I've been twice (2 days each) for house hunting but the company's appointed agent is inexperienced and KNOWS that I'm kinda locked into his agency (stupid since I don't think he is working hard enough to help me!). I am frustrated and this whole moving experience is not been good so far.

Please I need some advice. Oh yes, our housing budget is no more than $5500USD.

I think you could have a lot of choice of housing in Jing Qiao area with your budget. I think you could quite easily get a house with your budget. The problem is if you go to some of the agent who used to do a lot for expats then usually their rent tends to be very high. I was referred a local agent (Centraline) and the agent (of course depend on the person, perhaps I was lucky) was very proactive and helped me a lot to find the place for the budget I offered.
Just some rough info. for your info.:-
For places with mainly foreigners:-
Seasons Villa and Apartments (real expat community but the rent is much higher and for houses is quite fully rented most the time)
Green Villa & Green Court apartment (opposite Carrefour) : rental very high ( honestly I don't understand why the rent need to be so high for the apartments esp. for phase II - interior is so ordinary)
Others also with a lot of foreigners:-
Shimao Lakeside (villa) : I think you could get house there (if you could get a good agent who didn't rip you off)
Greenhill ( I think about 50 or higher with foreigners)- mostly houses or town houses (your budget could definitely get one there but of course depend on how big the place you like - as far as I know some moved to Greenhill from Green Villas because of the rent being too high. I lived there before and liked the place. Management and security is good. Also with shuttle buses to underground station and shopping places.
Viscaya : Mediterranian (?) style villas. I don't know much about but with a lot of constructions still on-going.

By the way, are u also from HK and do you speak Cantonese? If you need more info. you may PM me (I am not property agent).