Moving to Shanghai - Expat Relocation Guide

Author: Shanghai Props

Shanghai is a vibrant, modern metropolis, and expats love the city's multiculturalism, food and glamorous nightlife. Moving to a big city like Shanghai can be challenging, but once you settle down, you'll start to enjoy living in one of the most exciting cities in Asia.

Are you thinking about moving to Shanghai? If you are about to immigrate to Shanghai, this guide is specifically designed for you. The guide includes basic relocation tips and explains the subtle differences that foreigners need to consider before moving to Shanghai.

1.Relocation to Shanghai: What You Should Know before Moving?

Shanghai is a huge financial center with the busiest port on the East Sea. As one of the most important industrial centers in Asia, Shanghai attaches great importance to high-tech industries and modern service industries. Every year, a large number of foreigners from all over the world move to Shanghai to work for multinational companies there.

Is it worth it to move to Shanghai? Shanghai has a strong economy, providing a large number of job opportunities for expatriats who value career development. Shanghai is a great city full of opportunities, and living here means living at the forefront of the future.

Is Shanghai a good place to live? Expats living in Shanghai will agree that it is one of the safest cities in the world. Shanghai is generally considered to be more open and welcoming to foreigners than other Asia cities. Shanghai offers large expat communities to welcome international residents and offers a variety of support services and resources for expats.

Is Shanghai fun to live in? Due to the large international population in Shanghai, you have many opportunities to enjoy various cultural activities and food. The international living atmosphere in Shanghai includes vibrant nightlife, rich art and entertainment venues. Living in Shanghai means an incredible, fun, and vibrant lifestyle with so many different things to see and do.

2.Choosing A Moving Company - Movers, Packers, Transport, Storage Services In Shanghai

Are you looking for a removal company in Shanghai? Shanghai has always attracted international students and foreigners from all over the world, who moved to Shanghai from the United States, Europe, Australia and Asian countries. Planning the relocation in advance is a good way to immigrate to Shanghai.

How can I make my move as easy as possible? Choosing an excellent moving company will make the moving process smoother and faster, and they will make you feel more at ease. Experienced professionals pack and transport your items to ensure they arrive at their destination in perfect condition.

How much does it cost to move? When calculating the moving expenses, moving companies need to consider many factors, such as where you moved from, the destination of your new home, the scale of moving, whether packing service is provided, and the date of moving.

Your new apartment has no space to store large items or seasonal items? There are many self-storage services in Shanghai that provide simple, convenient, safe, and reliable warehousing services for individuals and businesses. You can choose from various forms of self-service warehouses such as temporary, short-term, and long-term.

3.Where to Live in Shanghai - Best Neighborhoods Guide in Shanghai

Shanghai has a large urban scale, consisting of 16 districts with a total area four times that of London. This is a very dispersed area and the commute time will depend on where you live. One of your most important decisions will be exactly where you should live in the sprawling city of Shanghai.

Where do most expats live in Shanghai? Most expatriats live in Puxi, and Xuhui, Jing'an, Huangpu, and Changning districts are popular choices for expats. Thanks to its tree-lined streets, historic charm and convenient location, the neighborhood with the best quality of life is the Former French Concession. The popular areas in Pudong are Jinqiao, Kangqiao and Lujiazui.

How much is an apartment in Shanghai in US dollars? Renting a one-bedroom apartment in downtown Shanghai usually costs 5,500 to 20,000 RMB (approximately 800-2,900 USD). In the suburbs, by contrast, monthly rents are 2,500 to 11,000 RMB (approximately 350-1,600 USD).

Is housing affordable in Shanghai? Buying a house in Shanghai is actually much more expensive than renting a house. The average price of a home per square meter in Shanghai is 50,000-130,000 RMB. The total price of a 100m² two-room apartment is about 5,000,000-13,000,000 RMB. As a foreigner in Shanghai, you can usually only own one residence.

4.Pros and Cons of Moving to Shanghai as an Expat

No matter where you plan to move to, there will always be a combination of advantages and disadvantages.

Shanghai is the largest city in Asia and attracts many expatriates and Shanghainese people to settle there. While there are many benefits to living in Shanghai, there are also challenges. Understanding these benefits and challenges can help you make a better decision.

Is it worth it moving to Shanghai? Top reasons to move to Shanghai as international. Shanghai is a global city with many opportunities for expatriates to earn a decent salary and additional income.

Affordable living expenses, expats can find various cheap goods in Shanghai. Very safe city, and crimes against foreigners are very rare. Living in Shanghai gives you the opportunity to participate in a wide range of entertainment and leisure activities.

What are the disadvantages of moving to Shanghai? The weather in Shanghai can vary greatly throughout the year, with very high temperatures in summer and possible icing in winter.

Shanghai's public transportation is well connected, making it quite easy to shuttle through the city, but it can be very crowded during peak commuting hours. Many Shanghainese can speak English, but learning the local language is always beneficial as it will help you live better in Shanghai.

5.Working in Shanghai? Job Search, Visa, Permit, Salary and Tips

Why are Americans moving to Shanghai? Shanghai offers plenty of job opportunities for skilled expats. For most expats sent to work in Shanghai, the company provides a monthly allowance for housing, a driver or food.

Does Shanghai have lots of job opportunities? This city provides job opportunities in various fields for foreigners. Foreigners typically work in fields such as teaching, finance, information technology, engineering, research, marketing, and entrepreneurship.

Can I move to Shanghai without a job? If you qualify for a residence permit, you can move to Shanghai. A key requirement is to have a job offer from a Shanghai company.

Is it hard to get a job in Shanghai as a foreigner? The job market in Shanghai has always been active, but it may not be easy to find a job. It depends on your education, experience, and position.

How do I get my visa? If you are moving to Shanghai, then you will most likely need a visa. The rules and regulations for various visas are constantly changing and you may want to consider hiring a visa agent to make your visa easier.

What salary do you need to live in Shanghai? Some Shanghainese can survive in Shanghai for as little as RMB5,000 a month. But for foreigners, it is usually at least RMB10,000 per month. A expatriat family may need RMB26,000 per month for living expenses.

6.Lifestyle In Shanghai: Key Factors to Know About Living in Shanghai

What is the quality of life in Shanghai? Shanghai is famous for its quality of life, a city with the highest standard of living in the world.

What is the main transportation in Shanghai? The subway system in Shanghai is the most popular mode of transportation. Bus routes can take you anywhere in the city. There are many taxis, and they are cheap. If you choose to drive, you must register your driver's license. Many expats ride electric mopeds, making short trips very convenient.

Is Shanghai a good place to study? Expatriats have many choices when it comes to their children's education. There are many international schools that cater to the curriculum system in your home country or the system you want.

Does Shanghai have good healthcare? Shanghai is known for having the best medical facilities in Asia, including public, private and international hospitals. Since Shanghai is an international city, the city has many international hospitals built specifically for expatriates.

What street in Shanghai is famous for shopping? Shanghai is a paradise for shopping, and Nanjing East Road Pedestrian Street is one of the most famous and bustling shopping streets in Shanghai. In addition, there are Huaihai Road, Xintiandi, Yu Garden, and many other world-class shopping centers.

What part of Shanghai has the best nightlife? Shanghai's famous bar and club districts include The Bund, Former French Concession, Xintiandi, Tianzifang and more. There are many options for nightlife in Shanghai, including nightclubs, cocktail bars, KTV, rooftop bars, live music and more.

Where to go in Shanghai for dinner? Shanghai's cuisine offers endless choices, with reasonably priced restaurants everywhere. The Michelin Guide has awarded over 50 restaurants in the Shanghai area.

7.Understand Cultural Difference in Shanghai - Guide to Shanghai Culture and Etiquette

What are some culture shocks in Shanghai? Culture shock is the inability to understand and cope with what's going on around you. Compared with Westerners, Shanghainese are very different in thought and customs. Common culture shocks include language, food, personal space, relationships, etc.

Can you live in Shanghai without speaking Mandarin Yes, you can live in Shanghai without speaking Mandarin. Many expatriats working in Shanghai have not learned Mandarin. But learning the local language is usually a good idea when you are going to live in a new country.

Is Shanghai expat friendly? Shanghai is very friendly to expatriats and is generally considered to be more open compared to other Asia cities. In fact, Shanghai is the most popular city for foreigners in Asia.

Can I move to Shanghai as a US citizen? Yes, US citizens need a visa to enter Shanghai as a U.S. citizen, there are several different ways to enter Shanghai, including work, study, or business.

How many Americans are in Shanghai? About tens of thousands of Americans live in Shanghai. There are approximately one million foreigners residing in Shanghai, with the majority residing in Shanghai.

Conclusion On Moving To Shanghai

Shanghai is not only one of the most dynamic and diverse cities in the world, providing a comprehensive urban experience, but it also brings a series of special challenges that other places do not have. Moving to Shanghai doesn't necessarily have to be stressful. This relocation guide will tell you what to do to prepare for a successful move to Shanghai.

Moving is a big decision, so always weigh the pros and cons to see if this big change is what you've been waiting for. If you are looking for a fast-paced lifestyle that blends finance, fashion, technology and business into an amazing global city, then life in Shanghai is for you.

Last Updated: August 23
Reading Time: 8 mins
Written by Shanghai Props