Where do most of the international expats live in Shanghai?
As a rule of thumb, most expats live close to what is defined as “the city centre” in Shanghai. This is where most compounds have English speaking staff and where other foreigners live. But you have to remember that the price level is higher downtown than in other parts of Shanghai.
Based on this photo, we see the different areas in Shanghai:
The different city areas in Shanghai.
The most popular among expats in Shanghai are (5) Jing´an, (2) Luwan, (3) Xuhui and (1) Huangpu. However, it has become more and more popular to live on the “other side of the river”, in the Pudong area.
The Pudong area is also known as “the financial district of Shanghai” and many expats have their offices placed in this area. Most multinational companies that move to Shanghai will try to establish themselves in this area because of the good environment for innovation and economical growth.
A view of the Shanghai Pearl tower from the bund. This is “on the other side of the river”, in the Pudong area.
How to find an apartment in Shanghai?
Compounds are gated communities that are built according to Western standards in the central parts of Shanghai. They often consist of a very international environment. The management of these compounds takes care of repairs, customer service, outdoor facilities, gardens, etc.
You can see an example of one of those communities here (Shimao River):
Shimao Riviera on the Pudong side of the river.
A basic set of electrical equipment is usually provided by the rental companies.
Many compounds have a “Club House” with different equipment, usually with a swimming pool, sauna, tennis court, gym, squash, table tennis table, playgrounds and facilities such as conference and meeting rooms.
If you want to read more about the different type of apartments in Shanghai, we have written an article about this too.
Read also: What to expect from an apartment in Shanghai
If you want to start finding an apartment as an expat in Shanghai, you should:
1. Find out where you want to live.
2. Set up a budget on how much you want to pay every month.
3. Contact a real estate agent.
Good luck!
