Living
Renting In Shanghai
Until the law changed in 2004, all local Shanghai residents received housing through their danwei, or work unit, and most Shanghainese still live in government-issued apartments. These houses were given on a ‘user rights’ basis, meaning the government can take the homes away at any time. Expats, however, have to find housing for themselves.
Many expats with children choose to live in suburban areas, such as Hongqiao or Pudong, in order to be close to the city’s far-flung international schools, while younger foreigners tend to favour downtown areas such as the French Concession and Jing’an for their proximity to dining and nightlife.
A large number of expat packages include housing budgets which, thanks to lingering perceptions of Shanghai as a hardship post, may prove substantial enough for pretty plush accommodation. Mid-range one-bedroom apartments in central areas range from ¥4,000-¥9,000 per month, while similar housing further out generally costs less.
Nicely renovated colonial apartments or new complexes in the same areas rent for ¥8,000-¥40,000 per month. Downtown also boasts some breathtakingly renovated lane houses and garden villas that fetch an astounding ¥45,000-¥80,000 per month or more. In the outer areas of the city, homes are usually confined to large gated complexes. A modest suburban villa in Gubei, for example, can be had for the same as a two-bedroom apartment of similar quality in the French Concession.
Many expats with children choose to live in suburban areas, such as Hongqiao or Pudong, in order to be close to the city’s far-flung international schools, while younger foreigners tend to favour downtown areas such as the French Concession and Jing’an for their proximity to dining and nightlife.
A large number of expat packages include housing budgets which, thanks to lingering perceptions of Shanghai as a hardship post, may prove substantial enough for pretty plush accommodation. Mid-range one-bedroom apartments in central areas range from ¥4,000-¥9,000 per month, while similar housing further out generally costs less.
Nicely renovated colonial apartments or new complexes in the same areas rent for ¥8,000-¥40,000 per month. Downtown also boasts some breathtakingly renovated lane houses and garden villas that fetch an astounding ¥45,000-¥80,000 per month or more. In the outer areas of the city, homes are usually confined to large gated complexes. A modest suburban villa in Gubei, for example, can be had for the same as a two-bedroom apartment of similar quality in the French Concession.
