Best compounds to live in in Shanghai?

[mich327]

Hi all,

I'm moving to Shanghai next month and will look for a place once I get there. I'm not on an expat package, but my compensation is high and I think I can afford a nice 2-3 bedroom rental in a good location. I'd like to be in a cool neighborhood and will not consider Pu Dong at all. Looking at the ads in Craigslist, it seems there are so many compounds... Top of City, Park Avenue, First Block, etc. I don't really know where these are located, but can anyone who knows provide info on good complexes in cool locations and near transport?

Also, if anyone knows any good rental agencies, suggestions are welcome!

Xie xie!

Michelle

[gato]

The best thing probably would be for you come here and see the complexes and neighborhoods on the ground. I personally like the Zhongshan Park area, which has convenient access to the No, 3, and 4 subway lines, and it's not as expat heavy as some of the other areas (like Jing'an Temple, Xintiandi, or Hengshan Road / Urumuqi Road).

You might consider Regents Park, which just opened last year (I think). It's right next to the Zhongshan Park No. 2 subway line station.

http://www.move2rent.com/room/16942.html

REGENTS PARK NEAR ZHONGSHAN PARK SHANGHAI(凯欣豪园公寓出租）

路易凯旋宫 (don't know if it has an English), a block away from the subway stop, is also not bad.

I checked out Park Ave. near Jing'an Temple, but found the area a bit too noisy. I'm a light-sleeper and there're too much horn-honking around there during the morning hours. The noise issue is something to watch out for.

You will hear 国际丽都, about a mile northwest of People's Square, being recommended, too. It's a very nice complex, but I found the neighborhood still too undeveloped and doesn't have enough small shops/restaurants around.

http://sh.focus.cn/votehouse/132.html

国际丽都城

Also see our fledgling wiki guide to Shanghai:

http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/14685-guide-to-shanghai-%e4%b8%8a%e6%b5%b7