Job Discussion Forums

mrpianoman · Joined: 27 Mar 2016 Posts: 171

I just checked AirBnB for a room in Shanghai as I was told by a school during an interview I can get a room for about 2000RMB. No chance! The rooms are all coming up at between about £700-£900 per month downtown/near the city centre. The job description from the recruiter said free accommodation but the school said they can only assist in finding accommodation. It's 20,000RMB after tax per month (apparently). it's not enough if I have to pay all that rent. Not for China anyway. I want 20K AND free accommodation. is this possible?

Shanghai Noon · Joined: 18 Aug 2013 Posts: 589 Location: Shanghai, China

Which district do you want to live in?

mrpianoman · Joined: 27 Mar 2016 Posts: 171

well the school is in Qinpu or something like that. So, near there or 30 mins ride away with shops and restaurants

Shanghai Noon · Joined: 18 Aug 2013 Posts: 589 Location: Shanghai, China

Puxi AirBnB rooms are not a suitable frame of reference for someone with a long-term job in Qingpu. You might be disappointed, but Qingpu is well outside of any of the central districts. 2,000 for one room would be easy, but I'm sure you could do better. The entire district only has one subway station, so the rent won't be as much as it is in any of the Puxi districts. Because there is probably no subway station anywhere near your school, commuting from Puxi to Qingpu would be absolutely miserable.

LarssonCrew · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1308

I'm getting so tired of szeeing 'free accommodation' in the big cities and then you find out they offer a housing allowance.

And is it realistic? Nope, it's like 2000.

Even when I lived in Xi'an you couldn't find a really nice place for 2000.

How do they expect you to live in Shanghai or Shenzhen or Beijing on 2000 a month? Let's be realistic if you're prepared to share a flat with 3 other people and maybe share a room you could find a half decent location, but a single apartment? No chance.

And most people aren't 19 anymore, when I was first in Chian having a roommate to show me the places to go was nice, but now I'm a 29 year old and I can find my own way, no way I want to live with a shady 23 year old junky...

Shanghai Noon · Joined: 18 Aug 2013 Posts: 589 Location: Shanghai, China

Shanghai is a big city and Qingpu isn't what people typically think of Shanghai. It's a suburban district that doesn't even have convenient public transportation links to the rest of Shanghai. I have never been there myself, but one time I rented a two bedroom apartment in Nanhui (another suburban district) for 2,500 per month.