Shanghai offers a wide variety of housing options for expatriates, as foreign residents are now allowed to rent and buy property anywhere in Shanghai. Most expatriates, especially those with young children, choose to live in the Changning (Hongqiao) District in Puxi or the Jin Qiao District in Pudong. Both are close to international schools and are a 20 to 40 minute commute from the bustle and excitement of the city centre. Depending on individual preferences and budgets, foreign residents can live in expatriate compounds (usually away from the downtown area) such as those in Hongqiao, in serviced or furnished apartments closer to the central business district, or in local compounds.

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Puxi

Changning District, Minhang District and Hong Qiao Area:
This is Shanghai's original expat neighborhood and quite convenient to both the city's domestic airport (Hong Qiao) and downtown. Some of the best supermarket options in the city are here. Great dining options abound as well, with well known eateries like Moon River Diner, Mexico Lindo, Dehli Darbor, Mon Reve and Blue Frog bringing great food from every part of the world to the neighborhood. Major international schools are located in the area as well, with French, German, British, Korean and American curriculums available. Housing options range from luxury villas to modern apartments, and prices go from reasonable to extravagant based on location, amenities, quality and club facilities. Changning also features the United Family Hospital, arguably Shanghai's best expat medical center.

Downtown including French Concession, Lu Wan, Xu Hui and Jing An:
These neighborhoods comprise the heart of the city, where great dining, entertainment and cultural activities are just moments away. In exchange for convenience though, residents deal with more congestion, people and smog. Shanghai's excellent subway system makes downtown very accessible, as does the ease of getting a taxi (unless it's raining or the rush hours). Art galleries, shopping centers and streets, bookstores, comprehensive supermarkets, world class restaurants and tourist activities abound, minimizing the chance of ever getting bored. As space is limited, villas are few and far between, though new options are opening up as historic colonial homes in the old French Concession are being revamped to lease and sell to foreigners. Supply is limited but demand is high, so expect to pay a lot for historic houses. Apartments both serviced and not are plentiful and come in every style and price range.

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Pudong

Jin Qiao, Kang Qiao, Nan Hui, Lu Jia Zui:
Jin Qiao, Shanghai's newest expatriate neighborhood features wide streets with bicycle paths, two excellent international schools, large churches with English and Korean services, great supermarkets and the city's largest green area, Century Park – effectively recreating a very western style community. Because it is relatively new, homes tend to be more modern and spacious than one might typically find in Puxi. Popular compounds often have waiting lists, but there are very nice options a little further out that are easier to get in to and still very convenient. Due to Jin Qiao's location far from downtown, most residents have access to private transport. A new transportation option, subway Line 6, recently opened near Jin Qiao and connects residents with downtown Shanghai. The subway entrance is a 20 minute walk from the heart of the community.

Kang Qiao and Nan Hui are increasing in popularity due to more spacious homes, cleaner air, and convenient access to the international airport and international schools. Shanghai Community International School, British International School, Shanghai American School and the German school are all in this expansive area. There is not much in the way of a community though, with most residents driving to Jin Qiao for shopping, groceries and meeting friends.

Lu Jia Zui, Shanghai's financial district, features the city's most modern architecture and spacious luxury apartments. As in the rest of Pudong, renters tend to get more for their money here. Most expats living here are singles and small families. The location, right at the edge of Pudong along the river, means easy access to all that Puxi has to offer, but more spacious apartments and wider streets too. Lu Jia Zui features very big shopping malls, super markets, restaurants galore, and easy access to a wide variety of corporate offices.

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