Hello everyone,
I will be moving to Shanghai starting april and I am already collecting information about the housing situation. Some salesman from a company that takes care of relocating expats told me that it is rather difficult to find a suiting flat and the prices in Shanghai already match those of Manhattan. Perhaps he just wanted to promote the services of this company.
However, I had a look on the net and it did look relatively reasonable.

I've had a look at two websites so far.
http://cityspace.shanghaiexpat.com/
http://www.easyhome-shanghai.com/

Are these real offers or only meant to attract customers?
Do you recomment using these services or hireing a lokal real estate agent?

thanks for any input
Qilin

Hi Qilin,

This subject was dicussed many times before. Make sure that you get a hotel for 3-4 weeks first and than have a look around. There are many agents here and the prices are really cheaper than mentioned on that sites. Nevertheless it depends on your requirements. If you want to have the best, you will pay for it as well. If you agree with a normal (good) apartment, many are for rent for reasonable prices from 6000 to 10000.

The prices are DEFINITELY nothing like Manhattan. And yes, I agree, you should get a hotel for at least 2 weeks and spend time looking at apartments. Joanna Real Estate has good service. You don't pay anything, no commissions, only the landlord pays so you can go ahead and choose any agent you like.

Ok, thanks for your advice and sorry to have bothered you with such a question. Actually I do not mind paying the real estate agent, because my company will come up for it, just as they are going to pay the hotel for up to 90 days, which I don't plan on using to the max.
I guess I am worrying too much. Anyway, cheers.