Your first 30 days in Shanghai, in order
A practical Shanghai arrival hub for employees, students, families and short stays: what to prepare, what to do first and where each route splits.
Explore China
Practical guides for life in China
Showing 13 - 18 of 18 Posts
Serviced apartment vs renting in Shanghai (2026): the real first-90-days cash-flow decision
How much cash do you really need to land in Shanghai — and should you bridge with a serviced apartment or rush a 12-month lease? The honest 2026 math.
Independent advisor, commission agent, or DIY? How to actually get help moving to Shanghai (2026)
Independent advisor, commission-based agent, or do it yourself? An honest 2026 breakdown of who really pays your Shanghai relocation help — and why 'free' isn't always the cheapest.
Where expat families actually live in Shanghai (2026): Jing'an, the FFC, Pudong, Hongqiao, Xinjiangwancheng — honest trade-offs
An honest 2026 comparison of the five Shanghai neighborhoods that absorb almost every relocating expat family — Jing'an, the Former French Concession, Pudong (Jinqiao/Lujiazui), Hongqiao/Gubei, and the emerging Xinjiangwancheng. Real rents in a softening market, real commute times to specific schools, and the regret column no other guide gives you.
Shanghai work permit salary requirements
Learn who needs Shanghai's 4x or 6x salary route, why employers choose it, the latest 2026 figures, and what to do if your salary is lower.
Why school choice should come before apartment in Shanghai
Choose a Shanghai school before signing a lease: compare eligibility, timing, commute and the likely cost of correcting an apartment-first decision.