Shanghai: a job-first move to plane-tree streets and a tap-and-go metro

Who lives where: Foreign Shanghai sorts itself by life stage. Families on company packages tend to look at Hongqiao, known for its international schools, at Gubei, or at Jinqiao, a planned Pudong neighborhood with a large expat population. Lujiazui, Pudong's financial district, suits people working in finance. Popular international schools include Shanghai American School, Shanghai British International School and Shanghai Community International School. Julie Marx, our China guide, can walk you through how the neighborhoods compare.

Healthcare: Foreigners can choose from several private hospitals with English-speaking staff. Shanghai United Family (main hospital in Changning), Jiahui (in Xuhui) and SinoUnited all run 24-hour urgent care, and the international department of a public hospital such as Huashan or Ruijin is a lower-cost middle ground. Two things catch newcomers out: U.S. health insurance generally isn't accepted, and a 120 ambulance usually takes you to the nearest public hospital, not the international one you'd choose. Shanghai United Family bills more than 40 international insurers directly, so the right policy matters. ExpatInsure can set that up, and Hunter Schultz, our healthcare coach, can help you work out what coverage you need.

The air: Shanghai averaged 26 micrograms of PM2.5 per cubic meter in 2025, and the city rated its air good or excellent on 88.5% of days.

Internet and work: Home internet runs about $15 a month. Many U.S. sites and apps won't load without a VPN, and the State Department says VPN use is illegal in most cases and can lead to a confiscated device, a fine or detention. There's no visa for working remotely for a U.S. company; the realistic route is a job with a China-incorporated employer on a Z work visa.

First weeks: Register your address within 24 hours of arrival, at your hotel or residence. Opening a bank account usually means a trip to a branch in person with your passport, visa and proof of address.

LGBTQ expats: Same-sex relationships are legal, but China doesn't recognize same-sex marriage and has no law against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Visibility has shrunk: ShanghaiPRIDE, running since 2009, stopped all events in 2020. Some LGBTQ venues closed around the same time, though queer cafes and parties kept going.

Black Americans: Experiences vary a lot. Shanghai has a Black business network, Black X, started by a Black entrepreneur who also organizes Shanghai Black Fashion Week. In English teaching, NBC has reported recruiters and schools openly preferring white teachers, so ask schools direct questions before you sign and talk to Black teachers already there. Americans of Chinese descent should know the State Department warns they may face extra scrutiny and harassment.

Limited mobility: Plan ahead. Metro stations have elevators, but wheelchair users report that usually only one entrance has one and some are kept locked until staff come. City buses aren't wheelchair accessible. The State Department notes that sidewalks can be uneven and often lack curb ramps, though public restrooms at tourist sites in major cities usually have an accessible toilet.

Retirement: Shanghai is a hard place to retire because China has no retirement visa. Summers are hot and humid, with average July highs near 90F. If retiring abroad is the plan, our retirement visa hub compares countries that have one, and the guide to moving to China covers the work, study and family routes.