Foreigners are able to live anywhere in Shanghai expect some areas close to government official鈥檚 houses. Foreign diplomats do have restrictions placed on where they are allowed to live as there are many government properties around the city. Also, you don鈥檛 need a residence permit to sign a lease and any kind of visa is acceptable.

Developer鈥檚 developments are built by one company and the apartment or villa is fitted out and furnished in a certain d茅cor. The d茅cor and furniture is generally designed by an interior designed so is tasteful and of high quality.

All developer housing is available to all agents and there are no 鈥渟ole agencies鈥?on developer housing in Shanghai. Most expatriate agents have a good relationship with developer housing management. The final decision for accepting an offer from a tenant is based on the terms and conditions of the contract.

Since the growth in quality local housing in the past couple of years developer compounds have had more competition than in the past and have been forced to drop their rental prices. New local housing developments are also attracting more overseas investors who tend to produce a high standard of property. Another factor in rental reductions is that some expatriate鈥檚 housing packages are being reduced or removed completely.

Local housing developments are built by developers and sold for either owner occupied housing or leased out. The apartment or villa is sold as an empty shell and decorated and furnished to their own taste. The owner either lives in it our rents it out. Higher quality local housing is sold with a standard basic fit out (usually kitchens and bathrooms) and decorated and furnished to the owner鈥檚 own taste.

Private landlords are free to list their property with any agency they wish. Often they will send information on their property to all expatriates agents in Shanghai for their database. Many expatriate agents have a large selection of local housing but good ones are limited. Unfortunately, some good quality properties are sitting on the books of local agents who don鈥檛 market to expatriates.

Local housing rents out for under 8,000rmb per month. Whilst there is a huge supply of local housing, good quality lower end properties are hard to find. Some expatriate agents don鈥檛 deal in local housing as good quality properties are hard to find, leased out quickly and the commission doesn鈥檛 provide as high a return on investment as developer compounds do.

Some of the benefits are

  路lower rentals than developer compounds

  路wide selection to choose from

  路located in all areas of Shanghai

  路local neighborhoods

Some disadvantages are:

  路Lack of English speaking, service orientated management

  路Few or no onsite facilities such as health clubs, tennis courts and playgrounds.

  路If facilities are onsite they are not of high standard

  路No or few satellite TV stations

  路Poor quality and unattractive fit outs and furnishings

  路Smaller in size