Having lived in Shanghai for a number of years, I would say that overall it’s a pleasant place to live. Like other cities in China it has its problems, but they aren’t really problems you wouldn’t find in any other city. Despite what people say, Shanghai is still a very Chinese city. And it’s one that has a lot to offer. Here’s why.
Food and Drink:
If you like to go out, there really is no better place to do it than Shanghai. Beijing—really the only city on the mainland comparable to Shanghai on this aspect—has its quaint hutong spots, which are nice, but in Shanghai, owing the city’s more international history and atmosphere, you can enjoy food and drink from all over the world. Like in Beijing, you’ll pay more for it than you would if you were to go to a Chinese establishment, but how you spend your money and time is up to you!
As for me, I don’t like to be fussy, so I stick to the simple pleasures. As a coastal city, Shanghai has access to some unique and delicious seafood. Hairy crab is one delicacy Shanghai specifically is famous for. Xiaolongbao, soup filled dumplings, are also incredible (but challenging to eat for the uninitiated) and hard to find outside of the Shanghai region. Like I said, simple pleasures.
People:
True or not, Shanghai folk have a reputation for thinking of themselves as being the most sophisticated people in China. Part of that is because of the city’s lavish and luxurious history. In the first half of the 20th century, Shanghai was home to many of China’s most famed celebrities at the time. Today you’ll find wealth and celebrity in both Shanghai and Beijing, but I digress. Another reason is because of the Shanghai dialect, which is considered the most prized in all of China. It’s pretty inscrutable and unfriendly to non-Shanghainese people, which lends to its perceived eliteness. That said, the younger generation of Shanghainese people speak Mandarin too. So if you want to be able to communicate, you’d better learn some Chinese(
https://www.echineselearning.com/free-trial/).
The air of superiority goes for foreigners living in the city as well. If you spend any time in the more metropolitan (i.e. foreigner-friendly) parts of the city, you’ll see some very sharply dressed, beautiful people who, for the most part, don’t seem too interested in anything beyond the tip of their own nose. That said, there are normal, down-to-earth people all over. Personally, I think the reputation Shanghai people have for being arrogant and snooty is a bit unearned. I met plenty of good people there. There are good people and bad people everywhere.
Nightlife:
Have you seen The Bund? It’s Shanghai’s iconic riverfront. More recently the already impressive skyline it offers it’s been augmented with the world’s second tallest building, which twists up into the sky like an elongated swirl of ice cream. At night, all of this sparkles and shines, lit by innumerable blinking neon lights and signs. It’s quite a sight to behold, and the city’s nightlife is at least on par with Beijing’s.
If you like live music, world-class acts usually pass through Shanghai on their way to Beijing or vice versa. Shanghai has a rich jazz and blues history, so if that’s your thing, you’ll be pleased. But know that if you like this sort of alternative music, Shanghai has less and less to offer these days. Some favorite spots have closed down in recent years—from jazz clubs to bomb-shelter techno hideouts. Beijing has always been a more edgy, artistic place, and some of its more famous spots have suffered similar fates. But anyway, Shanghai’s music scene is nothing to scoff at.
If you like clubbing, there are nicer places and lower-class spots. You get what you pay for. If there’s a cover fee that applies to Chinese and foreigners (believe it or not, some clubs let foreigners in for free because their presence attracts wealthy Chinese clientele who prefer to be in an “international” environment), then you’ve found somewhere that’s probably worthy of your time and money. Otherwise, expect low quality booze, low quality music and, in some cases, low quality company.
Cost of Living:
Between Shanghai and Beijing, I don’t see much difference in the cost of living. Day-to-day expenses usually pan out to be about the same. Eat Chinese food and you’ll get the same prices you’d get in Beijing, and eat Western food at it’ll be the same too. Compared to second and third-tier cities however, Shanghai is definitely more expensive. The price differences can be astounding.
But housing is a tremendous expense in Shanghai, like it is in other cities including Beijing and Shenzhen in the south. If you’re looking to rent an apartment, expect to feel the pain of watching a good chunk of your income go into your landlord’s pocket. You’ll have to suck it up. Some young Chinese live in their family homes (which, if the family has been in that home long enough, is probably worth quite a bit) until they get married. By far, housing is one of the most vexing problems facing young Chinese people, and the pressure is even greater in Shanghai.
Ease of Living:
Like I said earlier, Shanghai is a pleasant place to live. Public transportation is excellent. Crowded beyond belief during rush hour, but relatively tame throughout the rest of the day in most parts of the city (not including hot spots). You’ll be able to get anywhere for just a few yuan. Prices do get hiked every so often, but still, it’s an incredibly inexpensive and convenient way to get around. Unfortunately most of it stops around 10 ~ 10:30 pm, so if you’re having a night out, stay out until 5 when everything starts again or get a taxi. Taxis, unfortunately, are not cheap.
Pollution remains a problem in Shanghai just like it does everywhere else in China. People say that Shanghai has cleaner air than Beijing, but based on my experiences in both cities, I don’t see much difference. The worst days of pollution I’ve experienced have all been in Beijing, both otherwise you have good days and bad days. When it’s clear, enjoy it. But don’t expect clarity at all times, or even most of the time. Better to have expectations so when it’s nice you enjoy it more.
Shopping:
You won’t find any major stores in Shanghai that aren’t in Beijing (and many other cities), but the feeling of shopping in Shanghai is a bit more luxurious. Travel to the Jing’an Temple area and you’ll be shopping near to the city’s famously ornate temple. It’s pretty cool to just be in that atmosphere. The area is crowded with malls, but that’s not really unique to Shanghai I suppose. I do most of my shopping online these days, so I don’t have much else to say on this subject. But Shanghai is a nice place to shop, probably the best.