The Best Places To Live In Shanghai For Expats

The best places for expats to live in Shanghai are Gubei or Hongqiao where there are strong expat communities and International American schools. However, expats will find great areas on both the east and west sides (Pudong and Puxi) of the river in Shanghai.

Would you like to find the right niche for you in Shanghai, China? Keep reading to find recommended neighborhoods within the world’s largest city!

In this article, we will offer suggestions of places that other expats have recommended for Americans or English-speaking expats in Shanghai. You will have a better idea of whether you want to live in the older section of the city or the more modern side. 

The Best Places To Live In Shanghai For Expats: Pudong Vs. Puxi

Expats who would like to be surrounded by the more historical and traditional side of Shanghai would love neighborhoods in Puxi, the western side of the Huang Pu River. For expats who prefer more modern-feeling surroundings, we recommend Pudong on the eastern side of the river.

Expats should be aware that in order to experience the charm of Shanghai, they will have to brave the air, water, and noise pollution of Shanghai. Knowing what to expect will help you adjust and prepare.

If you’d like to consider other places in China, check out our article on places for expats in China.

Places For Expats In Puxi

Pudong is generally the older side of Shanghai. It’s also full of sites, shops, and restaurants that are highly recommended by other expats. There are a couple of strong expat-focused communities in Pudong and some American schools for expats with families.

Here are the most recommended areas of Puxi in Shanghai:

• Minhang
• Gubei
• Changning District
• Hongqiao
• Zhongshan Park
• Xuihui District
• Jing’an District
• Huang Pu District

Minhang

Minhang is a great place for expats because it’s a great place for families. It’s home to grocery stores, shops, and international schools. There are some high-end housing options and villas in the Minhang area of Shanghai.

Gubei

Gubei is another area in Shanghai that is great for expat families. It offers reasonable access to international schools in Puxi. It’s also a popular location for other expat families, which can help you become accustomed to life in your new home.

Changning District

The Changning District is a favorite among expats because of its access to green spaces and Shanghai’s zoo. It’s one of the earliest expat communities and hosts American and European expats in Shanghai.

Changning District has great infrastructure, including local and international schools, public transportation, and other benefits of living near the city center.

Hongqiao

Hongqiao is the perfect place for expats who want a little space while living in Shanghai. Many of the villas feature gardens. Historically, Hongqiao was an industrial district. It has been renovated into a residential area that is popular among expats in Shanghai.

Hongqiao offers access to markets, shops, and entertainment. Residents here also have convenient access to medical facilities. Expats may also enjoy the nightlife available in Hongqiao.

Zhongshan Park

Zhongshan Park is a beautiful place for expats in the Puxi district of Shanghai. This area has many respected residential complexes for single expats or couples. It’s near the city center and has convenient access to the subway and nearby popular neighborhoods with even more expat communities. 

The Zhongshan Park neighborhood is home to the beloved namesake park, Zhongshan Park. 

Xuihui District

Xuihui district is a high-demand area for expats who want to mingle with both expats and locals. The historic apartments in the French concession area offer charming housing. The French concession area is popular among expats and tourists. 

You’ll also find large malls and shopping centers in the Xuihui District. That means that many expats living in the Pudong area of Shanghai often travel here for site-seeing as well as shopping.

The Xuihui district is popular among diplomats and government officials who are sent to Shanghai. It has some of the best hospitals and medical care available in Shanghai.

Xuihui is also a very walkable area. For expats who prefer bikes, it’s also great for bikes or scooters.

Jing’an District

The Jing’an District is a dense, well-loved area of Shanghai where expats love to hang out. There’s excellent access to public transportation and shopping. Housing for all income levels can be found in the area.

Jing-an District is also home to the Jing’an Temple and other cultural attractions in Shanghai.

Huang Pu District

The Huang Pu district is perfect for expats who want to live among the sites of Shanghai. The Huang Pu District is full of attractions and famous locations in Shanghai, including the Bund. The architecture in the Bund is from the 1930s. 

You’ll also find the Shanghai Grand Theater and Shanghai Museum in this area. If you see housing here, you’ll have to act fast because housing options in this popular location are limited.

Places For Expats In Pudong

Expats who would like to see the stunning growth and modern side of Shanghai will love living in Pudong, or east of the Huang Pu River. The area is a site to see with modern high-rise buildings and rapid development. You can also travel to Puxi to see the sites anytime!

Here are the recommended areas for expats in the Pudong District:

• Kangqiao 
• Lujiazui
• Jinqiao

Kangqiao

For expats who want a more relaxed atmosphere, Kangqiao offers a solution. It’s a growing community with less of a big-city feel than many of the other areas on our list. Even though it’s a bit of an industrial area, it does offer some family housing, like villas, schools, and new shopping malls.

Lujiazui

For expats who work in finance or trade, Lujiazui is a big financial district with many banks. It also has some well-recommended residential complexes and villas to keep you close to work. You’ll find the Shanghai Stock Exchange here as well as other financial and trade industry powerhouse buildings.

It’s hard to ignore the show-stopping architecture of the financial district offices in Lujiiazui.

Jinqiao

Expats who want to ride bikes and feel safe in the community will love the environment in Jinqiao. In this district, you’ll be close to the airport and international schools in Pudong. It offers a residential, suburban feel that many expat families seek.

Jinqiao is home to the Jinqiao Export Processing Zone. The region has many opportunities for expats seeking work in Shanghai.

Healthcare In Shanghai

Expats living in Shanghai will want to use international hospitals that offer higher levels of care than the standards of care in local hospitals. Be aware that the out-of-pocket costs for these international hospitals can be quite high.

The problem with the care in local hospitals has been a huge lack of underfunding and lack of training among staff. This results in poor hygiene and levels of care that most Americans would be uncomfortable with.

To make sure that you have access to and can afford Shanghai’s best medical care, make sure that you have a robust international health insurance plan.

If you have questions about finding insurance coverage for Shanghai, contact an expert adviser from Pacific Prime.

Conclusion

Shanghai offers neighborhoods in both Puxi and Pudong that appeal to expats. There’s a niche for almost everyone! The sites and stunning architecture in China will help satisfy any wanderlust. There are international schools and expat communities in Shanghai to help meet your needs.

If you’d like to consider other cities to live in China, check out neighborhoods in Beijing or Guangzhou.

Don’t be afraid to explore other options for expats in Asia.

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Jantra Jacobs

Senior Copywriter at Pacific Prime

Jantra Jacobs is a Senior Copywriter at Pacific Prime with over 10 years of writing and editing experience. She writes and edits a diverse variety of online and offline copy, including sales and marketing materials ranging from articles and advertising copy to reports, guides, RFPs, and more.

Jantra curates and reports on the results of Pacific Prime’s monthly newsletters, as well as manages Pacific Prime’s Deputy Global CEO’s LinkedIn posts. Complemented by her background in business writing, Jantra’s passion for health, insurance, and employee benefits helps her create engaging content - no matter how complex the subject is.

Growing up as a third-culture kid has given her a multicultural perspective that helps her relate to expats and their families while 8 years of working remotely have given her unique insight into hybrid work arrangements and enthusiasm for employee benefits.

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