| Jianshuo, Your estimates for transportation costs and food costs are pretty realistic. For those who can live on Chinese food, their food budget can be very cheap comparing to those in other major Asian cities. I now live in Taipei, and food costs no matter cooking yourself or eating out are at least 4-8 times more than those in Shanghai. However, for expats who must eat specialty foods, especially if they eat in nicer restaurants, be prepared to pay 100-200 Yuan without alcohol drinks or 300 Yuan up with drinks. It's common to spend 600 + Yuan per person at a French restaurant JS, you didn't mention much about costs for clothing and lodging. I almost never bought clothes when I lived in Shanghai partly because I didn't like the styles and colors of clothes sold in local shops, and partly because most of the clothes are too small for me. I wouldn't buy imported name brand clothes in Shanghai as they are too expensive and the selections are limited for me. I buy them when I go back to the States. What I did was having all my clothes tailor made in the Dongjiadu area. DJD has been torn down, but the old vendors have been relocated to two fabric markets near the old DJD. Men's long sleeve-shirts can be tailor made for 80 Yuan per shirt, men's slacks cost 40-50 Yuan for labor plus whatever you choose for the material. Labor costs for men's suit is about 250 Yuan and a long coat is about 150 Yuan plus material. Cashmere long coats for guys is 800Yuan labor plus material, and about 100 Yuan less for women. Okay, you get the idea.....Having clothes tailor made in Shanghai is a very special treat. Exceptions: Some shops such as Silk King charge much much more for its fabric and labor cost, but it has a great selection of fabrics. Lodging costs varies depending on the districts, neighborhood, proximity to Metro lines and shopping facilities, age of the buildings and other amenities available in the complex. Rents have come down at least 20-30% with the abundant supplies. Expats housings are more costly, but are still very cheap relatively speaking. |
Living Cost in Shanghai (2007 Edition)