By continuing you agree to eChinacities's Privacy Policy .
Sign up with Google
Sign up with Facebook
Q: Does anyone know what is the best way to look for an apartment in Shanghai?
Hi all,
I have been staying in Shanghai for 2 months now, but I will have to move to a new apartment in January. Do you know any decent websites that I could check out? Preferably with real picture... this seems to be a problem in China... Thank you!
lidaki, select a neighborhood that you want first. Walk the neighborhood. Look for signs on apartment windows advertising a vacant flat. Sometimes you will find an apartment like that. Try Shanghai Expat but that will be geared to the higher end expats. Additionally as follows:
-
- 1
Start with service apartments. Service apartments are similar to hotels in that they offer maid service and western-style amenities. Expect to pay anywhere from $700 to $1,200 per month. Many foreigners choose this type of apartment.
- 2
Rent an apartment in a newly built community. This may be further from the city center than many foreigners would like, but the price is often less than for the service apartments at about $500 to $800 per month. These brand new apartments do offer greater security and are in more spacious communities.
- 3
Find an apartment in an old-style Shanghai apartment building. The price is low, but speaking fluent Chinese is mandatory for communicating with the neighbors. These cheaper apartments offer an authentic Shanghai experience, but many foreigners do not feel comfortable in such living conditions.
- 4
Find a real estate booking agent to do the leg work. Hundreds of apartments are available, and a good booking agent can arrange a day of meetings with apartment owners. Meeting the owners is essential to renting an apartment in Shanghai, since the owner will insist on meeting potential renters. The agent should check the ownership of the apartment and authenticate the identity of the owner.
- 5
Prepare to pay for 3 to 6 months rent in advance. Some owners may ask for one year's rent, but don't agree to pay such a high amount. Also, when a rental agreement expires, expect a meeting with the owner to go over the condition of the apartment and to make final utility payments.
- 1
lidaki:
WOW! Thanks a lot! you seem to know a lot about the issue! Any idea where do I find all these apartments like option 2 for example? does it only have to go through an agent? I tried that in the past and to tell you the truth it was not a very good experience.. you know the feeling that you are being cheated... anywayz any advice on that is appreciated! x
981977405:
Idaki, take any of the Shanghai subway lines and ride them out to the last stop, or any of the 3 - 4 final stops on the line. That should put you MOSTLY in the middle of, or near new blocks of flats or recently developed or redeveloped areas. Walk the neighborhood as I said. If you find a gated community, and if you can speak Chinese, approach the guards/gatekeepers and tell them that you are trying to find an apartment fo rent in the complex. Sometimes they will know of a few, and a little "present" will help here, or ask them to direct you to the Neighborhood Association / Building Association or whatever the community calls it. That's a another good place to start. Usually there are many little shops in the area and chances are that they might know.
But choose one or two neighborhoods in the beginning and make a determined search.
Classified section of our echinacities website...
lidaki:
thanx! I already checked a few there and waiting for their reply.
Hi ,
you can find apartment on www.smartshanghai.com, this website will tell you the pictures are real or similar or taken by landlord or another way . Of course, you also can call me or email to me, I'm an agency of property , I have many apartments in shanghai, and much of them I have the pictures . If you give me your budget , I will give you my best recommend. You can also click our website www.yooxnn.com
best regards
phone:15800948517 Andy
Email:andyskyli@163.com
