Hello Everyone,

I posted several months ago back in October regarding moving to Shanghai. Legal docs and regulations were tied up, but I'm finally going to be heading out to Shanghai now in mid-April, and will be working in the Super Brand Mall in Pudong.
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=168%20Luj ... a=N&tab=il

BUDGET:5000Yuan/month
COMMUTE TIME: preferable no more then 15-20 min via Metro line

The 5000 yuan is my housing allowance, I'm not sure if its cash given to me or if the company is paying it directly to the landlord.

Could someone recommend me a good area to start looking for apartments? I'm a young guy 23 going on 24, so a place near some good restaurants, bars, shopping (none of it has to be snazzy or anything, just fun places) and not too far of a commute from SBMall would be great.

I've been to Shanghai before for a travel study program 2 years ago at ECNU, but since I was a student, I never had to ride the metro during peak hours. So I don't really know how far is "far" for a daily commute to work. I remember someone recommending to me a while back that a place in Jing'an or Huangpu a few stops away via Line 2 would be ideal.

Thanks in advance for your reply!

oh i forgot to add, I'm a pretty avid gym goer, so proximity close to a gym is a big plus. I'm a free weight guy (hate using machines) so there's that. I've head SBMall has a Will's gym in it too, so this quesiton might be redundant. Thanks! And if anyone goes to the Will's gym in SBMall please let me know how you like it.

There are few smallish places like that on cityspace. Enough to get you started talking anyway.

http://cityspace.shanghaiexpat.com/search.php?type2=1&type=1&sh_city=163&sh_district=174&sh_size=-1&sh_currency=2&duration=3&price_min=2500&price_max=5000&sh_submit_d

If you are willing to share with a flatmate, your budget will go further and you can get yourself a really nice place in an area like JingAn. On the Line 2 metro and convenient to lots of... stuff.

I don't know if you want to live close to the Superbrand Mall, as a lot of the accommodation around there is ridiculously expensive. That being said, There are a few cheaper places as well though, especially around Dong Chang Rd subway station (one stop down from Lujiazui) - if you go to any of the estate agents down the road from the subway stop they should be able to help you. Just make sure they understand you're looking for something cheap, not one of the 'expat' compounds. Might help to have a Chinese person with you if you don't speak the language.

This will probably be a bit more reasonable than living in downtown Puxi, and quite convenient as you are right on the Line 2 subway - pretty easy to get downtown for a night out either by subway or taxi. Also, plenty of gyms, restaurants etc in the vicinity. Having said that, you might find it more interesting living in Puxi (in particular in terms of nightlife), and as you will be working at Lujiazui, it's one of the few places in Pudong that are really quite convenient to get to from downtown.

Thanks for all the replies, I'll update in a bit =)

Fitness freak myself, boy do I understand you for stating the gym as a housing parameter!
Luckily my husband works in a hotel and i use their gym freely...

There's a gym in the Super Brand Mall actually, that might be an option for you?

If you are willing to live further east, deeper into Pudong, I should think you should be able to find something.

SuperBrand Mall is located at Lu Jia Zui which has the most expensive real estate in Pudong. Just take one of the gazillion local apartments around Century Park.

Adrienne

Shanghai Properties –“Expat Agents Speak YOUR Language”
http://www.shanghaiprops.com

So tigerjunky86 have you found a room yet? Will you consider a roommate? Cause I am looking too starting from June.

Here is my other post:
So I am expating to Shanghai this coming June as a Landscape Architect for possibly 2 years. Anyone has any recommendation on where to find roommate and good quality apartments? I heard about One Park, and even saw some ad that doesn't seem too bad.
http://www.smartshanghai.com/housing/ap ... rent/55368 3 bedroom 2 bathrrom Yuan 10,000/month with swimming pool, tennis court etc.

Any input will be appreciated. I would love to have roommates. I am a widely traveled girl who likes to meet new friends and culture. So if you are looking for roommates please let me know. oneapple396@gmail.com let me know if you have a facebook we can get to know each other from there.

Thanks!
SW