Shanghai is from every point of view a great city with an estimated population of 20 million inhabitants and an area covering more than 6200 km2. With this size as the question of where to live and what gives each district arises in the mind of anyone who moved his/her residence to Shanghai.
To help resolve some of the questions that arise newcomers we have summarized some of the advantages and disadvantages of the most popular residential areas Expat city:
The most obvious division of the city of Shanghai is caused by the Huang Pu River that creates
two districts: Puxi and Pudong
Puxi, the most famous area in Shanghai
Puxi (pronounced Pooshee) west of the river contains the historic “Heart” of Shanghai and
still is the area that most people refer to as the center of the city. This side of the river offers undoubtedly the best deals on shopping, culture and life
night.
This downtown Puxi is a relatively small area and is constituted by the the districts of Jing’an, Luwan and Xuhui. The official center of the city is “People Square “but for many people this is simply the geographical center while life social is more developed in the former French Concession and International Concession.
Pudong, a residential area for expats in Shanghai
Pudong (pronounced Poodong) in the east of the river, was built largely on the past fifteen years and is particularly known for the financial and commercial district called Lujiazui. This part of town has two strong features: the shelf life and residential complex in upscale neighborhoods.
The two parts of the city are connected by bridges, tunnels, subways and ferries. there are
distinct advantages and disadvantages in each area depending on your circumstances ,individual preferences and your lifestyle.
Where to rent an apartment in Shanghai?
Young professionals, couples or singles, usually tend to live in the center of the city in the Puxi side. In which part of the city depends on the location of their offices and the type of transportation you want to choose: bus, subway or taxi.
Families with children who attend schools often expatriates living in western Shanghai
(Hongqiao / Minhang / Qingpu) or Pudong depending on the school that their children are.
Couples with young children below school age living in the entire city, in the center. And even in Hongqiao Lujiazui / Pudong.
Mature couples without children or with children who only visit during school holidays life often seem to prefer more “expatriate” villas complexes Hongqiao / Pudong.
The Former French Concession
The area of the former French Concession is a narrow corridor (approximately 1.5 Km wide) extending
Some areas in Shanghai contain great luxurious apartments.
from east to west across the districts of Luwan and Xuhui. As its name suggests, the area was under French administration during the “savages” thirties in Shanghai and is also now known as “Frenchtown“.
The former French Concession is now a highly sought after residential areas for expatriates who want the convenience of the city but also enjoy the romantic atmosphere of “old Shanghai“. This area has a large supply of high and low towers apartment but is particularly famous for its houses restored colonial. The former French Concession has seen the influx of boutiques,
Advantages of living in the former French Concession (Luwan Xuhui and part of):
Full of quiet and leafy streets
Urban Life in downtown location
Great bars, restaurants and boutiques
Disadvantages of living in the former French Concession
Currently limited supply of public transport
Being such attractive area has become more expensive area to rent and buy
Living in Xintiandi Shanghai (Luwan District)
Xintiandi at Puxi side is one of the most sought after residential areas and technically still part of the French Concession. Shopping malls and excellent bars and restaurants along Huaihai Middle makes it one of the main areas for live in the city center. Xintiandi itself is a complex of shops and restoration established by one of the larger building speculators Hong ON Shui Kong Group. The complex is just 2 blocks from great but is full of restaurants, bars and shops. The area around Xintiandi has seen the influx of large number of complex high towers of luxury apartments in recent years but also Individual houses a reconstructed height.
Advantages of living in the Xintiandi
One of the most prestigious locations in the city
Many recreational facilities and nightlife
Public transport very comfortable with 2 subway lines
– Easy access to the new Pudong crossing Fuxing tunnel
Disadvantages of living in Xintiandi
The street traffic can be extremely crowded Huaihai
Xintiandi is considered a high-budget
Relatively few green areas
Very noisy especially at weekends
Renting a home in Jing’an Shanghai
This popular area along West Nanjing Road contains many high towers apartments and also has some charming colonial properties fully restored. The Nanjing West Street, the area around the Plaza 66 and Portman Hotel is themost luxurious shopping destination in Shanghai now only rivaled by some shops in the Bund. In addition to plenty of shopping, Jing’an also offers the convenience of metro (line 2) Pudong and Hongqiao will and the added plus of holiday options and abundant life night around the Portman Hotel.
Advantages of living in Jing’an
Near one of the largest areas in Nanjing Road CBD
Good selection of shops, bars and restaurants
Attractive cultural visits
Good public transport and metro
Disadvantages of living in Jing’an
High density of buildings which makes it loud and busy life
Many commercial buildings
Not as “pretty” as the former French Concession
Expats living in Hongqiao and Gubei Shanghai
Gubei has long been the favorite of foreigners in Shanghai especially for those who want access to Asian expatriates and excellent facilities still with a smaller budget than the city center. Gubei was the first zone apartments for expatriates in Shanghai, built in 1994 and located within Hongqiao. A little west of Gubei, the area near the Hongqiao airport, feature by a wide variety of complex high-level villas that can be considered as the area designed for families on the outskirts of the city. The accommodation here is somewhat expensive as demand is high. The enclosures are stable and there are very few options new housing expatriates that are being built here and the prices reflect this.
Advantages of living in this area
Lifestyle outside the city
Reputable shops for expatriates including the largest Carrefour
Close to many international schools
Near Hongqiao domestic airport
Shanghai Zoo and surrounding parks offer recreational opportunities especially for children
Gubei and Hongqiao Disadvantages
Travel long distances to the city center
Limited public transport and metro
Less chance of nightlife in the city center
In People’s Square Area Shanghai, an expat center for renting a house
People’s Square is the official center of Shanghai and the intersection of two lines Popular Metro (lines 1 and 2) as well as the two largest elevated highways. People’s square is home to many museums, theaters, hotels and other tourist destinations so that It can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming. Although it is extremely comfortable to move to the rest of the city’s most popular shopping street in China, Nanjing This only offers limited housing options aimed at expats.
Advantages of living in People’s Square
Great tourist and commercial area, full of shops and entertainment venues
Many cultural attractions
Comfortable transport system
Disadvantages of People’s Square
Busy, noisy and congested traffic
many tourists
Limited western-style housing options
