Thinking of moving to Shanghai

Posted by almira (84 days ago)

I am thinking of moving to Shanghai..... but have no clue about the cost of living there.
Will look for a job ( media field)...and would so appreciate advice on :
- cost of living in nice part of town ( and which ARE the nicer areas?)
- cost of elec, water, gas...the basics
- cost of living well ...you know....dining, wining....
- cost of travel within the city - taxis etc.....

all help/advice appreciated much

Find what you are after in our Shanghai A-Z Directory

Posted by sammyflorez (83 days ago)

I've been to China 5 times, Shanghai 2 times, I'm moving there in September of this year, I'm from San Diego California and am gathering this same information. Where are you coming from?

Posted by Michael1977 (80 days ago)

Nice apartment: 2000rmb/month. For the love of Lord do NOT rent an apartment from an English speaking Chinese company, you will pay premium.
Utilities: 500/month TOPS.
Living well: 2000rmb/month, but it depends of each person. I can cook so I save there.
Travel: Taxi. Within city, never more than 50rmb. Then again, you can be cheated anytime. Metro is good and veeery cheap (200rmb/month tops).

Posted by sammyflorez (79 days ago)

Michael, i like your advice. I'm from California, so i wouldn't really know where to go looking for a place to live, do you have any suggestions?

Posted by tigerbay (65 days ago)

Where can you find a nice appartment for 2000?
3500 seems to be a baseline for anywhere inside the inner ringroad near transportation, and some of those are scuzzy.

Posted by luke_perry2 (56 days ago)

Check rental companies with local staff. I paid 1500rmb in Gubei Lu for a 50m2 apartment, no share. The apartment is 10 years old but in good condition.

Whatever you do, run away from any english-speaking real state agent. GO LOCAL

Posted by Huier198 (21 days ago)

No matter local agency or english-speaking one, they can not determin the rental price. The apartment now in Shanghai is very expensive. Houses which in good location will be expensive. The nicer place is in the old French concession, the rental will be around rmb10,000/month, or more expensive. If you live near Xin Tiandi, than it will be much more expensive, above rmb20,000 - 30,000. Other liveing cost is just so so, so the biggest problem is housing, if you can afford it, than you can afford anything.

Posted by caicai (20 days ago)

yes, if you want to afford it ,it will be expensive.
if you want to rent , and the price is about 3000~5000RMB/month 50m2 in nice place ,for example Xujiahui.

Posted by joy5201412 (10 days ago)

Now looking for a nice and friendly roommate to share 3 bedrooms apartment with cool shanghainese girl in down town of shanghai
Hi there, Nice aparement location in huangpu area,high floor,very convenient transportation only 10 mins to 8 Line subway stop Lujiabang Rd. Here is 150sqm,3 bedrooms,2 bathroom,1 living room,1 kitchen,dinning area as well full furnished in western style ,washing machine, refregerator,airconditioner ,microwave,coffeemachine,TV,DVD,wireless etc.. Middle room:3000 RMB/per month,the payment is 3 months in advance,1 month's deposit,Long-term stay preferred.Short tern stay maybe available but will occur a surcharge. Welcome people from all over the world

Posted by Jennie Yuan (7 days ago)

Hey,Almira.
Rental for a nice place of 50m2 in a good place should be 3000~5000RMB/M;
If you find a job not in the central area,the rent of the house nearby will be within 2000RMB/M;do not trust the real estate agent,even as a native speaker as me,I would rather search in the internet;
Others as Michael1997 listed;

Posted by Kmom (2 days ago)

I am being given a job offer that provides 20k rmb/month for housing. Is this good enough for a family of 3?