{"id":313,"date":"2023-10-24T03:58:38","date_gmt":"2023-10-23T19:58:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/2023\/10\/24\/are-expats-satisfied-with-the-citys-rental-market\/"},"modified":"2024-07-08T20:58:37","modified_gmt":"2024-07-08T12:58:37","slug":"are-expats-satisfied-with-the-citys-rental-market","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/are-expats-satisfied-with-the-citys-rental-market\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Expats Satisfied With The City\u2019s Rental Market?"},"content":{"rendered":"<blockquote><p>Shanghai property prices are among the highest in the Chinese mainland. Statistics show that, as of June 2016, the city&#8217;s average rental price for an apartment had reached 67.54 yuan ($9.80) per square meter, with Jing&#8217;an, Changning, Xuhui and Huangpu dis<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Shanghai property prices are among the highest in the Chinese mainland. Statistics show that, as of June 2016, the city&#8217;s average rental price for an apartment had reached 67.54 yuan ($9.80) per square meter, with Jing&#8217;an, Changning, Xuhui and Huangpu districts hitting highs of 136.92, 126.13, 120.62 and 105.05 yuan per square meter, respectively. While rent can be a burden for many local tenants, do foreigners feel the same way? What factors and conditions do Shanghai expats care the most about when hunting for a home? And what have been their best and worst experiences here? The Global Times interviews several foreign renters.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FiUidwtEMU8whog5VSJ9O90OOGLT?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"1.jpeg\" width=\"250\" height=\"166.5\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/are-expats-satisfied-with-the-citys-rental-market\/#Shanghai_property_prices_are_among_the_highest_in_the_Chinese_mainland_Photo_GlobalTimes\" title=\"Shanghai property prices are among the highest in the Chinese mainland. Photo:GlobalTimes\">Shanghai property prices are among the highest in the Chinese mainland. Photo:GlobalTimes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/are-expats-satisfied-with-the-citys-rental-market\/#Max_Kondlo_Photo_Global_Times\" title=\"Max Kondlo \u00a0Photo:Global Times\">Max Kondlo \u00a0Photo:Global Times<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/are-expats-satisfied-with-the-citys-rental-market\/#Mark_Crelley_Photo_Global_Times\" title=\"Mark Crelley\u00a0Photo:Global Times\">Mark Crelley\u00a0Photo:Global Times<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/are-expats-satisfied-with-the-citys-rental-market\/#Chris_Payne_Photo_Global_Times\" title=\"Chris Payne \u00a0Photo:Global Times\">Chris Payne \u00a0Photo:Global Times<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/are-expats-satisfied-with-the-citys-rental-market\/#Dusautoy_Dimikri_Photo_Global_Times\" title=\"Dusautoy Dimikri \u00a0Photo:Global Times\">Dusautoy Dimikri \u00a0Photo:Global Times<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/are-expats-satisfied-with-the-citys-rental-market\/#So_What_Factors_And_Conditions_Do_Expats_Care_Most_About_When_Renting\" title=\"So What Factors And Conditions Do Expats Care Most About When Renting?\">So What Factors And Conditions Do Expats Care Most About When Renting?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Shanghai_property_prices_are_among_the_highest_in_the_Chinese_mainland_Photo_GlobalTimes\"><\/span>Shanghai property prices are among the highest in the Chinese mainland. Photo:GlobalTimes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr \/>\n<p>South African Max Kondlo has been living in Shanghai for three years. Her monthly rent is 4,500 yuan ($652.92). She thinks this is very expensive.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Unless you are sharing an apartment with like five people, staying by yourself is quite costly,&#8221; she said, explaining that rent in South Africa is just half of what she pays here.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/Fma0mnZEzVxqi2i4maBYMgpZu-oS?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"2.jpeg\" width=\"250\" height=\"151\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Max_Kondlo_Photo_Global_Times\"><\/span>Max Kondlo \u00a0Photo:Global Times<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Kondlo admitted it is quite hard to find ideal apartments to rent in central Shanghai. &#8220;Most are small and expensive. If you want something big, nice and affordable, you have to go out to Pudong New Area,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p>Similar sentiments were echoed by Mark Crelley, a Brit that has been in Shanghai for six years. His monthly rent is 5,000 yuan.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FnX0McfdwFbIXAVNTf0xKydAPxDN?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"3.jpeg\" width=\"250\" height=\"137.5\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mark_Crelley_Photo_Global_Times\"><\/span>Mark Crelley\u00a0Photo:Global Times<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&#8220;Though Shanghai&#8217;s rent is not as expensive as London, it is probably more expensive than Liverpool,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>Englishman Chris Payne came to Shanghai only two months ago. He currently pays 6,000 yuan per month for a house with a large bedroom, a living room and a kitchen. Payne said Shanghai&#8217;s rental prices are more expensive than he expected, similar to the UK.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FtR5R83zkjCe9AJBNt0HZle0Ci60?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"4.jpeg\" width=\"250\" height=\"143\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Chris_Payne_Photo_Global_Times\"><\/span>Chris Payne \u00a0Photo:Global Times<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Russian national Dusautoy Dimikri doesn&#8217;t think it difficult to find a place to live in Shanghai, but she feels that rent is a prohibitive factor.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/Fum1Gj1sWodLeMbsCy6fWflA2iRo?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"5.jpeg\" width=\"250\" height=\"140\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dusautoy_Dimikri_Photo_Global_Times\"><\/span>Dusautoy Dimikri \u00a0Photo:Global Times<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&#8220;Usually if you rent a three-bedroom apartment downtown, you need to pay more than 10,000 yuan a month.&#8221; Dimikri added that a very good apartment in smaller cities of Russia costs the equivalent of only 1,000 yuan per month.<\/p>\n<p>French national Adrien (pseudonym) has been in Shanghai for a year, living in the city&#8217;s former French concession, where he pays 5,000 yuan per month.<\/p>\n<p>In terms of access to rental information, Kondlo told the Global Times that she usually checks advertisements online or expat-friendly forums; her friends have also recommended local real estate agencies&#8217; WeChat accounts to her.<\/p>\n<p>Payne uses a variety of channels online to make an informed decision. As for Dimikri and Crelley, they ask neighborhood real estate agencies for help.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"So_What_Factors_And_Conditions_Do_Expats_Care_Most_About_When_Renting\"><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #e33737;\">So What Factors And Conditions Do Expats Care Most About When Renting?<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/Fm4Dm4relfUNhm72fMRxqXMuERff?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"1.jpg\" width=\"230\" height=\"230\" title=\"\"><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Kondlo said she prefers living in a neighborhood with many restaurants, malls and other conveniences nearby, in addition to being close to her workplace.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Also I don&#8217;t like living with roommates, so I look for something by myself,&#8221; she added. Both Payne and Crelley said they care most about privacy, but other interviewees think cleanness and having working appliances are essential.<\/p>\n<p>As for transportation, Crelley prefers a home close to subway hubs. &#8220;Convenient transportation would be nice, but Shanghai is so convenient, as long as you have a bike, it&#8217;s okay,&#8221; Payne said.<\/p>\n<p>Adrien, however, said he always goes out clubbing at night and exercising during the day, so easy access to nightlife and sports facilities is a must for him.<\/p>\n<p>Crelley cares about noise, and always checks with neighbors to make sure that there will be no drilling, jackhammering or other home renovation sounds often heard in older apartment communities.<\/p>\n<p>Kondlo said most agencies and landlords she has met in Shanghai have been friendly and helpful. &#8220;They will help me whenever I have any problem with my apartment,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FuxGbAY1PzIJjUXOQ2UIwRlNPxr0?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"2.jpg\" width=\"250\" height=\"166.25\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>For example, once her refrigerator broke, so she sent a text message to her landlord, who solved the problem immediately.<\/p>\n<p>Another time, after her electricity went out in the middle of the night, the landlord sent a repairman at 1 am.<\/p>\n<p>Dimikri said most landlords in Shanghai are kind toward foreign tenants. &#8220;I haven&#8217;t met anyone who is rude or did bad things to me. Usually they will help me with everything,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p>Despite their mostly positive experiences, many interviewees also mentioned that Shanghainese landlords tend to raise their monthly rent every year without justification.<\/p>\n<p>Kondlo also pointed out that some landlords have forced her friends to find a new place to live within a very short period time.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Once a landlord gave my friends only three weeks&#8217; notice to move out because the landlord decided to sell the apartment,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Another thing that worries me is that, if you pay a deposit here, landlords don&#8217;t add interest when giving it back,&#8221; Kondlo said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;In South Africa, landlords are not allowed to do that. If they keep your deposit for a year or however long, they are expected to pay you interest.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Some interviewees mentioned that some expensive apartments are nonetheless in poor condition. &#8220;Many are dirty and the location is far, but their rent price is still high,&#8221; Dimikri said.<\/p>\n<p>However, Payne is overall satisfied with Shanghai&#8217;s rental market and thinks that most unpleasant experiences can be avoided if foreign tenants were simply more responsible about who they rent from.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;A lot of foreigners come to Shanghai and just jump into the first place they find. Normally people sign a one-year contract, which is a hell of long time to commit. I recommend taking two weeks to find an ideal place,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>He suggested that tenants talk to their landlords a month before ending a contract. &#8220;People who leave it to the last minute are foolish, because it is your home and you need to know if you are going to stay.&#8221;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FlXXlKXBxtykYAuKbjvAxKMwIbVH?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"GIC QR.jpg\" width=\"250\" height=\"271.6468590831918\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Shanghai property prices are among the highest in the Chinese mainland. Statistics show that, as of June 2016, the city&#8217;s average rental price for an apartment had reached 67.54 yuan &#8230;","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12252,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[1158,60,353,306],"class_list":["post-313","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-are-expats-satisfied-with-the-citys-rental-market","tag-china","tag-e-china-cities","tag-hiredchina"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/313","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=313"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/313\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12253,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/313\/revisions\/12253"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12252"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=313"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=313"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=313"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}