Best Areas to Live in Shanghai Near International Schools
Where you live in Shanghai as an expat family is inseparable from where your children go to school. Shanghai is a vast city of over 24 million people, and daily school commutes that look manageable on a map can become exhausting in practice. The Huangpu River divides the city into Puxi (west) and Pudong (east), and crossing between them during school-run hours can add 30–45 minutes each way.
This guide maps the main expat family residential areas to the school clusters they serve, and covers housing type, rental cost, and lifestyle considerations for each.
Why Area and School Choice Must Be Planned Together
The international schools in Shanghai are distributed across both sides of the river and across a wide geographical spread. Before committing to housing, confirm which schools are realistic options and where they are located. The most common clusters are:
- Gubei / Hongqiao (Puxi): YCIS Gubei, Wellington College, BISS Puxi, SAS Puxi campus
- Minhang (Puxi): Dulwich College Puxi campus
- Pudong New Area / Jinqiao: Concordia, SAS Pudong campus, NAIS Pudong
- Pudong / Lujiazui: Nord Anglia NAIS, Dulwich Pudong
- Changning (Puxi): BISS Puxi, SCIS campuses
Gubei and Hongqiao: The Puxi Family Heartland
Gubei (Changning district) has been the core of the western expat family community for decades. It is home to YCIS's flagship Shanghai campus and is within easy reach of BISS, Wellington, and SAS Puxi. Residential compounds such as Mandarine City and Regents Park offer spacious apartments in a self-contained, low-rise environment.
Hongqiao (straddling Changning and Minhang) extends westward from Gubei towards the international airport cluster. Housing here tends towards larger villas and townhouses — popular with families who need outdoor space and parking. The area also benefits from proximity to Hongqiao railway station and Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2, making weekend travel easier.
| Area | Housing Type | Typical 3-Bed Rental (RMB/month) | School Proximity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gubei (core) | Apartment in compound | 15,000–25,000 | YCIS, BISS, Wellington |
| Hongqiao (inner) | Townhouse / small villa | 20,000–35,000 | Wellington, SAS Puxi, YCIS |
| Hongqiao (outer) | Detached villa | 25,000–60,000+ | SAS Puxi, Western International |
Lifestyle: Gubei has a strong East Asian expat community (large Japanese and Korean populations alongside Western families) with Korean supermarkets, Japanese restaurants, and international pharmacies all within walking distance. Hongqiao's outer areas are more suburban and car-dependent.
Commute to Pudong schools: Crossing to Pudong typically takes 40–60 minutes by car or metro. Not recommended if your primary school is east of the river.
Jing'an: Urban Expat Living with Excellent Connectivity
Jing'an district, centred on Jing'an Temple and extending towards Nanjing West Road and Suzhou Creek, offers the most cosmopolitan urban expat experience in Shanghai. It is popular with dual-income couples and smaller families who value walkability, restaurant density, and metro access over villa space.
Housing in Jing'an is predominantly high-rise apartment. Large family-friendly apartments with three or more bedrooms exist but command premium prices per square metre. Several international health clinics including United Family Hospital's main Puxi site are based in Jing'an.
| Area | Housing Type | Typical Rent (RMB/sq m/month) | School Proximity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jing'an Temple area | High-rise apartment | 180–250+ | BISS Puxi (15–25 min), YCIS Gubei (20–30 min) |
| Suzhou Creek corridor | Mixed apartment / serviced | 150–220 | SCIS Hongqiao, SAS Puxi via M4 |
Lifestyle: Jing'an is the best area for families who want city life rather than compound living — access to Tianzifang, the Bund, and cultural venues; good international restaurant and café infrastructure; excellent metro links on Lines 2 and 7.
Commute to Pudong schools: 45–70 minutes by metro or car to Jinqiao. Cross-river commuting to school from Jing'an is manageable for secondary students who can travel independently, but challenging for primary-age children requiring supervised drop-off.
French Concession (Xuhui and Huangpu): Character and Community
The Former French Concession (Frenchtown) — centred on Xintiandi and the tree-lined streets of Wukang Lu, Anfu Lu, and Fuxing Lu — is the most aesthetically distinctive residential neighbourhood in Shanghai. Pre-war Art Deco and colonial buildings sit alongside contemporary restaurants, galleries, and boutiques. It attracts creative professionals, embassy staff, and families who want neighbourhood character over compound amenity.
Housing in the French Concession is a mix of refurbished lanehouse (shikumen) apartments, period buildings, and modern blocks. Space is relatively constrained versus the villa suburbs. Most rental is by apartment; gardens are rare in the heart of the area.
| Street / Sub-area | Housing Type | Typical 3-Bed Rent (RMB/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Anfu Lu / Wukang Lu | Period apartment | 20,000–40,000 |
| Fuxing Lu / Xintiandi | Modern apartment | 18,000–35,000 |
| Outer French Concession | Larger apartments | 15,000–28,000 |
School proximity: Primarily suited to schools in Puxi: BISS Puxi (Changning), Dulwich Puxi (Minhang — 30–45 minute drive), YCIS Gubei (25–35 minutes). Secondary students at IB or A-Level can take metro Line 1 to Gubei-adjacent stations.
Jinqiao: The Pudong Family Suburb
Jinqiao, in the Pudong New Area, is the east-side equivalent of Gubei: a planned, low-rise, villa-compound environment built specifically around the needs of expat families. Green Court, Yanlord Gardens, and Greenhills are the established compounds, offering detached and semi-detached villas with private gardens, pools, and compound security.
Concordia International School Shanghai is located directly in Jinqiao, making it the natural school-aligned area for American curriculum families in Pudong. NAIS Pudong and Dulwich Pudong are also within convenient reach.
| Sub-area | Housing Type | Typical Villa Rent (RMB/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Jinqiao core (Green Court, Yanlord) | 4-bed villa with garden | 25,000–50,000 |
| Kangqiao (south Jinqiao) | Modern villa / townhouse | 20,000–40,000 |
Lifestyle: Jinqiao is quieter, more suburban, and more car-dependent than Puxi. It suits families who prioritise space, outdoor living, and proximity to school over urban amenity. Access to Puxi for weekend activity requires 40–60 minutes, though Metro Line 6 provides a car-free option.
Lujiazui and Pudong CBD: Convenient for Finance Sector Families
Lujiazui is the financial heart of Pudong — the cluster of towers including the Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao Tower, and IFC. Housing here is predominantly serviced apartments and high-spec residential towers, popular with finance-sector expats on short-term postings or those who prioritise proximity to their CBD office.
Schools in reach include NAIS Pudong and Dulwich Pudong within 20–30 minutes, and SAS Pudong within 30–40 minutes. Lujiazui is on Metro Lines 2 and 9.
Key Cross-River Commute Times to Consider
| From | To | By Car (off-peak) | By Car (school run) | By Metro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gubei | Jinqiao (Concordia) | 25 min | 45–60 min | 55–70 min |
| Jing'an | NAIS Pudong | 20 min | 35–50 min | 40–55 min |
| French Concession | Dulwich Pudong | 25 min | 45–60 min | 50–65 min |
| Jinqiao | Wellington (Hongqiao) | 35 min | 55–75 min | Not direct |
Commute times are approximate and can vary significantly during peak hours, rain, or public holiday traffic.
How Global Investments Can Help
Choosing the right area in Shanghai affects not only school commute quality but also the value and liquidity of your housing investment. Whether you are weighing whether to buy or rent in Shanghai, managing a property portfolio at home while posted overseas, or planning how to re-enter your home property market on return, Global Investments provides internationally minded property and wealth planning advice. Contact our team to discuss your specific situation, or visit our guides library and residency and citizenship hub for further resources.
This guide is for information only. Rental prices and school locations are indicative as of 2026 and subject to change. Property values and investments can fall as well as rise; professional advice should be sought before any financial decision.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose an area first or a school first when relocating to Shanghai?
Choose your school first, then select a neighbourhood within reasonable commuting distance. School commutes in Shanghai can be long — crossing the Huangpu River between Pudong and Puxi adds 20–40 minutes each way in normal traffic. If your employer's office is in Pudong and your preferred school is in Gubei (Puxi), you need to plan for that daily logistics reality.
What is the difference between Pudong and Puxi for expat families?
Puxi (the west side of the Huangpu River) contains the French Concession, Jing'an, Gubei, and Hongqiao — established expat neighbourhoods with more Western restaurants, boutique shopping, and the original city character. Pudong (the east side) is more modern and planned, with larger apartment complexes and villas in Jinqiao, financial towers in Lujiazui, and a notably car-dependent layout. Most British-style family compound living is in either Gubei/Hongqiao (Puxi) or Jinqiao (Pudong).
What do expat family rentals cost in Shanghai in 2026?
A three-bedroom apartment in established expat areas typically rents for RMB 15,000–30,000 per month. A detached or semi-detached villa in Jinqiao or Hongqiao ranges from RMB 20,000 to RMB 60,000+ per month depending on size and compound. Central Jing'an and French Concession apartments are priced per square metre rather than unit type and typically run RMB 150–250+ per sq m per month.
Is the French Concession suitable for families with young children?
Yes, particularly for families with children under secondary age, those who want a walkable urban lifestyle, and those enrolled at schools in Puxi (BISS, Wellington, YCIS Gubei, Dulwich Puxi, SAS Puxi). The French Concession is quieter than Jing'an's commercial centre, with tree-lined streets, international cafés and restaurants, and good medical facilities nearby. Larger homes with gardens require looking at Hongqiao or the outer suburbs.
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute financial, legal or tax advice. Rules, fees and regulations change frequently; verify current requirements with a qualified adviser before acting.