CHANGNING
Changning district, better known as Hongqiao, is a very popular choice with expat families. The area is located between downtown and the far away suburb areas, which is a good balanced option for families who would still like to enjoy the city life. The area is much calmer compared to those in the middle of the city, but the hustle and bustle is still easily reachable by just a few metro stops.
It is also an excellent option for expats with children who prefer to live close to the international schools, as SCIS, YCIS, Britannica and Hongqiao International School are all located there.
Popular compounds are Windsor, Green Valley Villa, Jasmine Garden, Yanlord Riverside, Oasis Garden, Mandarine City.
The main metro lines passing Changning are lines 2 and 10.
Situated in the Eastern part of Hongqiao and West of the Jing’an District, the Zhongshan Park area has gained in popularity amongst expats in recent years. As it is not much further away from the city centre, the area has become more popular as rental prices are more affordable compared to nearby neighbourhoods like Jing’An and the Former French Concession. Zhongshan Park houses a massive shopping centre called Cloud Nine, and is easy accessible by metro as lines 2, 3 and 4 are running through the area.
Popular compounds in the area are Regents Garden, Livin 833.
Things to do in the area include visiting the Shanghai Zoo and shopping at the Hongqiao Pearl Market.