Job Discussion Forums

[DrKissinger1971]

I believe that is the name. It's a new city outside Shanghai that accomodates several universities, and a SEZ. I might get a job there, so if anyone has been there or lived there, let me know your impression. Thanks!

Henry

[struelle]

It's an excellent satellite town, modern with many shopping centres, and great for teaching jobs, well-desiged under the Shanghai government's 'grand plan' to move people out of downtown. It will soon have a subway connecting it, but until then, the commutes are brutal. It takes about 2 hours in bad traffic, less on weekends. You can take the bus, or try the slow trains from Hangzhou that make a stop there.

If you get a job there, it's best to stay in town and not make the commute. I used to teach in Jiading, which is a similar town in the NW of Shanghai. shudder at some of the traffic conditions I had to endure when shuttling back and forth.

Steve

[DrKissinger1971]

Steve
Thanks for the insight. Unfortunately, I will be commuting from Shanghai to Songjiang. Is there currently a train from Shanghai to Songjiang? I've seen photos of the place, it looks quite nice. Anything else I should know? Thanks

Best
Henry

[struelle]

Well, put it simply the commute will suck, but to my knowledge here are some ways to speed it up:

- Because Songjiang is along the busy Hangzhou - Shanghai line, there are many Shanghai bound trains, but not all of them stop at the Songjiang Railway Station. Those that do stop are usually slow trains, but the trip takes just under an hour. Some trains stop at Meilong, along the #1 Subway, others go to the main station in Zhabei. It's harder to find a train going back to Songjiang.

- There are many 'HuSong' line buses that make the trip regularly. Here, the 'Hu' is the nickname for Shanghai. But be careful, you might get a slow bus! These usually route via the tedious and unorginally named 'HuSong Highway' (which isn't a highway at all) while some route via the expressway. You'll want the second kind, look on the bus for 'A8' which is the highway's name. Coming back from Shanghai, you'll want to catch buses at the Meilong terminal, just beside the train station above.

- Your university may have charter buses that do the trip for you. On the other hand, I've read horror stories of students who jam their way onto these overcrowded buses every Friday afternoon and Sunday night.s

At any rate, make double sure they use the expressway. The alternative is a total mess with all the construction going on in areas like Jiuting and Qibao.

A taxi ride will cost up to 100 yuan each way, don't even think about that

Hope this helps,
Steve