Hi folks,

I'm moving out there soon, and will need to set up a voice recording studio (mainly for audio books) in my apartment. I'd prefer not to have to invest in any special soundproofing materials. Can anyone recommend an apartment compex that has particularly good sound isolation between rooms and floors? Or is this a hopeless request?

Thanks,

Rob

PS - If anyone knows of any local demand for an American voice actor, drop me a line. It's a part time thing for me, but I enjoy it and have quite a bit of experience.

it's impossible for apartments in China.

i was suggesting that as well....

6k should get you a quiet place ...

If you don't mind the social isolation then a villa in Pudong could be an option.

What amount in rent are you willing to go to?

Ludiofelix,

I can offer a couple suggestions.

If you are going to rent an apartment which is not completely developer owned and managed, then you are going to have private landlords who do indoor renovations on different time schedules. Brand new privately owned apartments tend to be always noisy, and older privately owned apartments can be noisy if people are doing upgrades. (This takes away the option of Shimao, Yanlord, most of Tomson, Oriental Grand Garden, Champs Elysees etc..)

There are serviced apartments in Pudong which "should" be quiet (Diamond Court?) and developer apartments (Seasons, some of Green Court (phase I)). Villas at Shanghai Links, the Emerald and Bellewood should be ok during non working hours as well. Oasis villas is so empty now that it would be VERY quiet. Great deals out there too...

If you go for an apartment, do aim to get a high floor, this limits the noise from bus brakes and car horns and do make sure you have double paned glass in the windows.

Good luck!

MPV

And look for a place whose surroundings (i.e. neightbor condos) are already built. We live next to Diamond Court, in Orient Green, and it's damned quiet from the street (youll never hear a horn or brakes), but most of the flats are still being fixed (it's brand new) and there are working noises from 7am til 23h... Otherwise it would be the perfect place for u.

Thanks for all the feedback, depressing as it sounds. I haven't gotten an official houusing budget yet, but it looks to be about $1200/month, which puts me out of reach of villa housing. I was figuring on finding a 2BR/2BA apartment and possibly converting a small interior space - bathroom or ayi quarters, perhaps - for recording. Are interior rooms fairly quiet during off hours?

you can get villas in Pudong for as little as 6000rmb/month as long as you dont mind living out in the sticks.

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All the information we offered is true and reliable. It covers different types of houses,include shanghai apartment,mansion,villa,service apartment,office building,old house and new lane,etc.
please feel free to call me at 13341700101 or 86-21-64336057 if you are in any need of finding an apt. Or you can send an email to : ben@loushi.cn
thanks

Would anyone trust a tape recorder which can only repeat the same speech again and again even without address the potential customer's request properly?

Hmmm - I think I'd be better off investing in soundproofing materials than being in the sticks, but thanks for the info.

You better make the soundproofing good. People downstairs just had a major argument and we could hear everything.