Forum Shanghai

[bensoneb]

Hi,

As someone who's recently moved to Shanghai I'm joining all the expat forums I can find to help me find my way here. I've noticed that this forum is more about people who haven't moved here yet so here's what I've found great about the place in case it helps anyone.

I attended a great orientation program called Shanghai 1,2,3 and it really helped my hubbie and I understand the culture, how hospitals work, etc. It's free and run by expats for expats.

When looking for a house I found an agency who had an expat working for them and the fact that she has been through the move herself, she really understood my requirements and bingo, I had the house of my dreams before I knew it. Her email address is elizabeth.bennett@shmaxproperty.com in case anyone needs information.

If you're going to get a driver and don't speak Chinese, get yourself a driver who speaks good English. When we arrived we had a Chinese guy and it was a nightmare as before we went anywhere we had to have everything translated to Chinese for him. We've changed to an English speaking driver now and life is so much easier.

Hope that helps anyone planning to move here. It's a great place!!!

[BlancaMartin]

Thank you for this information. The training looks nice! We are 5 at home and probably will move to Shanghai. I would like to understand what could be the expenses of living there. You speak about an English speaker driver, how much it cost? Do you have it everyday?

Do you know when the schools start the courses? In which month of the year?

How much could cost the gas, electricity and water in a house with 5 components?

I appreciate in advance your answer!

[bensoneb]

I'd love to help in the schools question but I don't have kids so no idea!

Our driver is supplied by our company so I'm not sure how much it costs. If you need to hire one privately, it'll be easy to get this information as lots of them advertise in the supermarkets over here.

The training is run by www.communitycentershanghai.com. (I think). If you google community center shanghai, it'll come up.

Sorry I can't be of more help. Any agent worth their salt will have all of this information in addition to housing info so give our agent a shout, maybe she can help you.

[BlancaMartin]

Thank you for your quick anwer. My company is moving me there, so we will get more info soon from them. I will ask to get this training.

But unfortunately they will not put me a driver, so I will look for it once I will be there. Although my husband has a nice moto and he would like to import it... will see.

Where are you from? We are from Spain!

KR

[bensoneb]

Hi,

I'm from Ireland. I go to Spain quite alot as we have a place near to Murcia. We love Spain and plan to retire there once we're finished our stint in Shanghai.

Shanghai is an amazing place and will be great for kids also. There are lots of expats here who all look after each other so I'm sure you'll be happy here.

What does your husband do? Do you know what part of Shanghai he will be based in?