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Where to live?
Newcomers in Shanghai face the same problem. Here is the guide to help you make a first rough selection.
Each location has its own advantages and disadvantages, and careful consideration needs to be given to what is most important to you according to your lifestyle and therefore which area is most suitable for you.
Before looking for apartments, it is advisable to select location according to the following details:
- Where will I be studying or working?
- Proximity to shops, entertainment or sports facilities
- Proximity to transports (bus, metro, taxis)
For students in Shanghai, note that most of universities are quite some distance from the town centre. It is advisable and convenient to choose a close location to the university, unless you want to spend some time in public transportation.
For many expatriates families, the biggest concern is the location of the international schools for their children. Many schools are located either in Changging (Hongqiao) or Pudong: note that the only German and French schools are located in Hongqiao.
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CENTRAL SHANGHAI
- Located at the centre of the city
- Tourist and commercial heart of Shanghai
- Exciting living location, proximity and easy access to outdoor entertaining areas
- Numerous tourist attractions (Shanghai Grand Theatre, People’s Square, Shanghai Museum, Yu Yuan Garden, Old Town and the Bund…)
- Many restaurants, shopping and commercial centres in the area and on East Nanjing Road
- Convenient transportation: junction of subway lines 1 & 2 in People Square Station, other station in Xinzha road. Many buses & taxis.
- Cultural street, Fuzhou road, with many bookstores
- Fabric market on Dong Jiadu road, with many tailors and fabric vendors.
- Lack of green space
- Crowded, especially transportation in the rush hours
- Traffic, noise, limited privacy and congestion
- High rentals: good accommodation quite expensive and limited
Luwan District
- Chic designer shopping area on Huai Hai Road, famous for its shops and its boutiques.
- Rich nightlife area, South Maoming road and the new stylish Xin Tian Di entertainment plaza with many western restaurants and bars
- Convenient transportation, buses and taxis. 2 subway stations: South Huang Pi road and South San Xi road.
- Famous Xiang Yang Fake Market packed with cheap and fake clothing and gifts
- Beautiful old French Concession area and Fuxing Park
- Antique market on Dong Tai road, Flower Market on South Shanxi road
- Plenty of apartments to choose from and a few villa compounds within a variety of budget levels.
- Prices in this area will tend to be slightly higher than other districts.
Jing An District
- Central location with easy access to transportation (bus, taxi and subway line 2: Jing An Temple & Shimen Yi road Stations).
- Wester conveniences, entertainments and shopping, notably Carrefour.
- International brand shopping malls on Nanjing Xi Road like CITIC Square, Plaza 66 and Westgate Mall.
- Many high grade offices and apartments such as Kerry Centre, Shanghai Centre and Plaza 66 Shanghai Exhibition Centre.
- Jing An and Jade Buddha temples.
- Many 4 and 5 star hotels in the city in Jingan district like Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Hilton and JC Mandarin Hotels
- One of the best nightlife string of expatriate bars and restaurants on Julu road & Tongren road.
- The most populated area of downtown, busy, noisy.
- Congestion of tall buildings in the north district area.
SOUTHWEST SHANGHAI
Xuhui District
- One of the most prestigious living areas, busy commercial and residential centre, also known as Xujiahui
- Convergence of 5 main roads (including Huai Hai road) in Xujiahui, home to large several department malls, represents the main centre in the district.
- Famous boulevard, Hengshan road, with many bars and restaurants
- An upper class living area with many luxurious villas and upper class apartments being developed
- Upper class living area, many luxurious villas and apartments
- Old French concession and consular area with many charming vintage villas tucked behind high walls: 90% charming historic properties of the city
- Jiao tong and Donghua universities located here as well as various consulate offices
- Features of this area: Shanghai Catholic Cathedral, Longhua temple and Shanghai Olympic stadium
- Very density populated and has lots of traffic
WEST SHANGHAI
Changning District
Changning is composed of Hongqiao, Gubei and Zhongshan Park areas.
Hong Qiao Area
- Best know for the zoo and expatriate communities.
- Shoppings and services that attract thousands of expatriates’ families.
- Most elegant residential area in Changning district
- Luxurious villas, high grade apartment/office complexes
- Families prefer to this area as their new home in Shanghai
- More fresh air here, more greenery, less noisy and also very convenient for daily life
- Most of the international schools are in or nearby Hongqiao
- Close to Hongqiao Airport
- Far from city centre, about 20 minutes by taxi.
Gubei New Area
- Mini-city within all intents and purposes with many shops, restaurants, sports clubs restaurants, sports clubs and the large Carrefour supermarket
- Vast area of top-level apartments and villa’s apartment complexes geared towards foreigners
- Several villas are located here and offer spacious living
- Convenience to downtown (15-20 minutes by taxi)
- All forms of transportation are near here and using Hongqiao Road, it would take 10 minutes to reach Shanghai Centre.
- Close to HongQiao Domestic Airport
- Travel distances can be quite lengthy.
- Poor public transportation network.
- Relative inconvenience to downtown and associated nightlife.
Zhongshan Park Area
- Recent and large apartments complex at reasonable price
- Convenient transportation with line 2, which lead directly to city centre
- Lack of shopping and entertainment.
Putuo District
- Affordable area
- Proximity of metro line 3
- Lack of quality and foreign style apartments
- Lack of foreign facilities, shopping and restaurants…
EAST SHANGHAI
Pudong District
- Close proximity to Pudong new financial and business districts
- More quiet and affordable than Puxi,
- Less traffic, access to subway system
- Easy access: includes a number of bridges, tunnels, ferries and the Metro line 2
- Ample green space (notably Century Park), fresher air, and peaceful surroundings
- Some large villas compounds and several international schools
- Area very suitable for families
with work commitments in the area
- Many large supermarkets (Carrefour, Metro, Decathlon)
- Close proximity to the Pudong International Airport.
- Very large area, travel distances are quite lengthy
- Slightly inconvenient compared to downtown and associated nightlife.
NORTHEAST SHANGHAI
The Northeast area of Shanghai doesn’t have the high concentration of upscale shops and restaurants found in the more central districts, but the close proximity to the Bund and Pudong coupled with the significantly lower cost of housing may make the Northeast area one of the better values around. The living environment is pleasant and safe, but there are definitely fewer amenities for foreigners in the Northeast area.
Yang Pu District
- Convenient for students as Fudan University, Tongji University and the Shanghai Foreign Language University are located there.
Hong Kou District
- Bordering both the HuangPu River and Suzhou Creek, HongKou District, although far from city centre, enjoys a great geographical location.
Zhabei District
- You must visit the area around Shanghai Train Station at night to understand why it is called Everbright City.
- Very high number of nightclubs and restaurants attracting thousands of young Shanghainese to enjoy the brightly lit entertainment spots.
- High quality developments recently completed there include Kerry Everbright City and Henderson Everbright City.
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