Originally Posted by
Skyman65
Currently looking at a possible job opportunity in Shanghai, and I have a few questions that I'd like to ask our local experts.
I haven't made a final decision yet, but is sounds like they are preparing to make me a formal offer. So I've started doing some initial research into possible places to live. The company is between Putuo and Jiading on Cao An Rd.
Generally, I would prefer to be closer to the office, as I'd like to avoid a long commute, if possible. But having not yet visited the area, I don't know how suitable the neighborhood is. Although we didn't get into a lot of details about housing during my meeting with the CEO, he mentioned that I'd probably want to live in an area about 20-minutes away from the office, and that a company car would take me to and from work everyday. I now wish I'd asked him which area he had in mind.
Another consideration is that I'd like to be close to a subway line so that we can get into town easily when we want to. Also, proximity to a grocery store that sells western foods (Costco, Walmart, Carrefour, etc) would be nice.
On that subject, having never been to a Walmart in China, can anyone tell me what they're like? Do they offer a fair selection of American style groceries, or are they mostly adapted to the local market? Living in Taiwan, I am familiar with how Costco and Carrefour operate in Asia. Carrefour here is okay, but not great for finding American food staples. Since it's a French company, I wouldn't expect it to offer a wide selection of American items. I have high hopes that Walmart will be better. Am I wrong?
Finally, it would be nice to be in an area that offers good walking/jogging options. Don't know if that is possible in Shanghai, but it would be nice.
Welcome all suggestions.
Thanks.
No Costco in China or anything like it compared to the ones near where I live in Kaoshuing. I am in Beijing a lot, and there is Wal Mart and Carefour, but they more local (ie Chinese) oriented, than say in Tainan or Kaoshuing. That being said, in Shanghai (and here in Beijing) there are much more Americans than Southern Taiwan, and thus choices for American food, but at much higher prices than Tainan/Kaoshuing (2X or more), and daily living costs in general are much higher tahn So. Taiwan. I am lucky in the I rotate between Beijing and Kaoshuing/Tainan so I do visit Costco everytime I am there, one thing I do miss there. Shanghai is much more crowded and more smoggy (but better than Beijing's air still) than Taiwan in general, so running can be a not so easy than say in Kaoshuing ( but for me, I do not not like the heat and humd weather in TW)