Where To Live in Shanghai

Where To Live in Shanghai: Villa Versus Apartment

In Shanghai the words ‘house’ and ‘villa’ are often used to mean the same type of building - usually a detached property on a gated, centrally managed compound. There are over 300 developments in the city which attract expatriate residents. Most villas are located in the suburbs of Shanghai in areas like Hongqiao, Kangqiao,  Minghang, Jiading and Century Park. These mini-neighbourhoods generally have their own grass fields, pools, gyms and small stores. Each community also has their own security guards who monitor entry and exit to the compound. Houses range in size from quaint 150sqm 2-bedroom cottages to enormous 9-bedroom 1100sqm houses with pools and garages.

Shanghai has an incredible assortment of apartments and serviced residences. Due to the lack of space for villas and detached housing in the downtown areas, apartments offer a great housing alternative for expatriates who wish to enjoy Shanghai's nightlife and cultural offerings. There are also apartment buildings in several of the villa and townhouse complexes which are located in the suburbs. Some of these are more affordable then their downtown counterparts. Serviced apartments generally refer to hotel-like residences with a range of full-service features which may involve cleaning, laundry, utility management and even room service. All units within a serviced apartment will be under the central management of one company. While often more expensive then privately owned apartments, serviced apartments generally are much more "hassle-free" and can offer leasing terms of less than one year. Most serviced apartments have a gym, and often also a swimming facility.

The interiors of houses and apartments vary wildly. Most centrally managed compounds tend to lean towards more inoffensive and subtle tones and textures, often with hardwood or marble flooring and off-white walls. Privately owned villas often reflect the owner's taste which can vary greatly.

Impartial Advice

When you are faced with a myriad of choices on your look-see visit and a relocation agent who seems intent on only showing you inappropriate accommodation, take a moment to read our summaries below.  We have tried to be as impartial as we can with some nice parent reviews about each compound's pros and cons to help you decide. Our fleet of school buses run from all over the city (49 of them to be exact) so we can pick up students easily from anywhere you choose to live.

Where else do our families choose to live?

:: Mandarin City, Up Town;

French Concession: Royal Pavillion, Tomson Garden;

Hongqiao: Contemporary Spirit, Hongqiao Court, Regency, Rich Garden, Splendid Garden;

Huangpu: Lakeville Regency, Jingan, San Marino, Seasons;

Jingqiao & Century Park: Dong Jiao Villas, Dongjiao Guest Hotel, Garden Villas, Eastern Villa, Golden Vienna, Green Court, Green Hills, Green Lakeville, Pudong Century Garden, Pudong Century Park, Shama Century Park, Shimao Lakeside, Tomson Beautiful Space, Tomson Golf, Seasons Villas, Vizcaya, Willowbrook, Xiang Mei Garden, Yanlord Town;

Kangqiao: BelleWood, Cambridge Forest, Emerald, Oasis Villa, Pasadena Town, Tiziano, Trinity, Longyang Rd/Pudong, Wanbang Apt;

Lujiazui: Amenity Garden, Fortune Residence, Fraser Suites, Green Villas, Shimao Riviera, Skyline Mansion, Summit Panorama, Summit Residence, Tomson Riviera, Yanlord Garden.