"Where should I live?" This is one of the major questions expats face when coming to Shanghai. Luckily, Shanghai provides a range of options for incoming expats, whether you're looking for a chic studio shanghai apartment or a traditional old Shanghainese home...
Independent Villas
Usually called shanghai houses in the West these may take the form of standalone (independent units) or semi-detached.
- Often townhouses or row houses can be found in many of the same developments, offering access to the same facilities but without the size or cost of an independent villa.
- There is limited supply downtown, usually on the small side and aging. One or two newer redeveloped older housing developments are beginning to appear on the market.
Shanghai Villas in Local Compounds
Expats who choose to live in local compounds usually select high-end local enclaves, usually in the western suburbs. These are also standalone or semi-detached houses with gardens, but facilities are not usually provided and English may not be spoken.
Historic Shanghai Housing
You may be tempted to live downtown in traditional lane houses or older independent villas (usually from the 1920’s or later). These are commonly called ‘Lao Yang Fang’ (‘Old Houses’ in local expat parlance)
Some are outstandingly beautiful places. However we advise caution and having a year of two living in Shanghai before being tempted by the romance of this style of living. Although the villas may be beautiful on the outside, beauty is very often only skin deep (new plumbing, electrics and waterproofing are only relevant to the boundaries of the property – off your land and probably the electrics and plumbing are decades old)
And, without management to fix your problems (arrangements must be made with the landlord directly), security to protect your family, and friends for your children they can be difficult and lonely places to live and the neighbors rarely speak English.
But romance lives on and there are some excellent renovations out there! Garden villas are standalone houses with gardens; lane houses are attached on both sides (except for corner houses) to their neighbours, and usually have a small garden; and apartments in shanghai are in historic buildings.
Your Choice: House or Apartment?
You might think you know the pros and cons of living in a house, a shanghai serviced apartments or an shanghai apartments, but in Shanghai these reasons will probably be very different from those of your home country:House or Apartment...