What area slightly outside Shanghai is best for young families?

Hello, I am planning to come and work in Shanghai in September. My work is in the center of the city and I would prefer to rent a walking distance flat. Any suggestions how I should search for that? Are there any online sites, newspaper advertisements or people usually visit real estate agents? How high are the agents commissions and does it takes long to find the right place? I mean is there many flats available usually Like in Dubai, where I live right now? Thanks in advance for any kind of help.

Hi there,

Just wanted to chip in and offer a link to our Areas and Suburbs of Shanghai page - it goes into quite a lot of detail so you may find some helpful info there.

Best of luck with your move.

Meagan

@LittleDove24, yes sure. We've moved, we've been here for just under a week. For us, coming from rural Wales we needed a green area, well as green as Shanghai could offer, so we chose the FFC. Some say it is more pricey than other areas but as I stuck to my guns on our budget, our estate agent found us a low rise apartment (husband scared of heights!) within budget, in a very friendly, family orientated with great facilities, Central Residences compound. Feel free to contact the estate agent we used: [email protected] - he was one in a million, even installed our internet for our arrival! The Metro is first class in Shanghai so I'm not sure where your office is based but as long as it's not over the river in Pudong side, FFC could also be a great choice for you. Get WeChat if you haven't already, I'm still getting to grips with it but feel free to message me (Dolly83LM) with any other questions, advice ... I remember writing this first post and how confused I was, I didn't know where to start! Now I am actually here, and have a really good feel about the city. Good luck. Oh and if you every want to meet up, again message me on WeChat, I have a 16 month old boy and 4 year old girl so the kids could play xx

@lisamarie did you find a suitable area? We are in a similar situation. I have been offered a job in shanghai and now need to find somewhere suitable to bring my children up aged 2 and 7. If you did eventually make the move and found somewhere suitable I would really appreciate some advice.