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[MK]

The metro goes all the way to Pudong airport now - takes forever and you have to change trains even though your in theory on the same line, but it goes there.

Edit - PIC

[Borkya]

You know, I took a cab from the airport to my hotel in the french concession and it took over an hour. I remember it being insanely cheap, around $20 US. Back then I was fresh with a pile of american money so $20 bucks, or 130 yuan, was nothing to me! Especially for an hour (we hit rush hour).

Honestly, you are so tired, and jetlagged and overwhelmed the time you land who wants to mess with the metro or any public transportation for that matter? I say live a little, splurge and get private, a/c door-to-door service.

[MK]

Yeah, but it's very handy if you live here and fly regularly or have to meet people at the airport.  And as you mentioned Shanghai traffic can be a nightmare.

Also I am a Scotsman in China with a Chinese GF - penny pinching levels through the roof!

[pydilyk]

Just flew into/out of pudong the other day. A taxi isn't cheap but is the most practical if you have a bunch of luggage. Hauling a couple big bags on the maglev or subway is not fun. Without much traffic, a taxi to JingAn district will be around 170 rmb, and somewhere closer to peoples' square 10-20 more. If you don't have much luggage, buy a round trip maglev ticket to save some cash and time.

[Blaster]

I'm heading to Shanghai near the end of August again for school this time...
I'm dorming and food's provided five days a week.
Just wanted to ask for a ballpark estimate for a monthly budget... (food, phone bill, etc)
School's in the Fengxian district, dunno if that'll make a difference though?

I'm only asking because I'm sure the difference in the standard of living between Xi'an and Shanghai's gonna be huuuuuuge... and I really have no idea what shanghai's like

[randyjac]

The wife and I are spending the summer vacation in Shanghai, a wonderful city. It's like New York City in many ways. By way of contrast, we spent a few days in Beijing three weeks ago, her first trip there. The visit reminded me how much I prefer Shanghai compared to Beijing. Take the metro, for example. In Shanghai, the stations are not difficult to find, the signage adequate. In Beijing, I think some stations are actually hidden, maybe on purpose. Perhaps it's a state secret. A case in point is the Jishuitan Station on the Loop Line (Line 2), in particular the B entrance. The wife and I walked right past it, same as a Chinese couple walking in front of us. The actual entryway sits under a large commercial sign, like it's for a business. I like Shanghai.

[old34]

@Blaster: Fengxian is a distant suburb to downtown Shanghai so COL is probably lower than metro Shanghai. What school will you be at? I know some (Chinese) English teachers from various schools in Fengxian.

[Pashley]

There's an overview map here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Shanghai#Cityscape

I'm near the Southern edge of Minhang, West of the river, Dongchuan Lu stop, line 5, right down at the bottom of this map:
http://www.urbanrail.net/as/shan/shanghai-future.htm
From here to Peoples Park is two trains, an hour & 6 rmb by subway.

The line 5 extension on that map down to Xidu in Fengxian is mostly built, but not yet complete.

[Blaster]

@Blaster: Fengxian is a distant suburb to downtown Shanghai so COL is probably lower than metro Shanghai. What school will you be at? I know some (Chinese) English teachers from various schools in Fengxian.

I'm going to Jin jang hospitality management school. If I say 1500rmb a month to cover food over weekends and the phonebill, would that cover it? I just want to budget myself so I can make the most out of the little funds a broke college student has...

[old34]

I don't know anyone from that school. Is that school related to the Jinjiang hotel group which is all over China?

1500/mo. IF lodging and weekday food is taken care of by the school, would be enough in that area for weekend food and a small phone bill (say less than 200/month) but little else.

[Blaster]

I don't know anyone from that school. Is that school related to the Jinjiang hotel group which is all over China?

1500/mo. IF lodging and weekday food is taken care of by the school, would be enough in that area for weekend food and a small phone bill (say less than 200/month) but little else.

To be honest I have no idea. Their website is confusing to navigate.
But it's a sister(?) school of Les Roches.
I think I can manage 2000/mo. Just means I have to pile up a few more hours at work over the summer...

[gonzo]

I've been away from SH for a while now, but I know the outer 'burbs didn't cost much more to live in than other Chinese cities. There are so many migrant workers sending money home that there is a safety net of places to shop and eat that won't break the bank and actually aren't too bad. It's just down-town, the clubs, bars, taxis etc that will kill a budget like yours.
In the old days, Raoul spent that much a month on taxis, right bro?

[Kabbalistic]

Sorry if I'm off-topic but any tips for first time travelers to Shanghai? I mean things to look out for apart from the chiselers and cutpurses?

[Blaster]

Sorry if I'm off-topic but any tips for first time travelers to Shanghai? I mean things to look out for apart from the chiselers and cutpurses?

Yeah I just got here yesterday.
Be aware of the damned weather.
Seriously, how do I assimilate to the chinese climate. I feel like its vegas minus the gambling.

[Borkya]

Yeah I just got here yesterday.
Be aware of the damned weather.
Seriously, how do I assimilate to the chinese climate. I feel like its vegas minus the gambling.

I've been here for a year, and no. You never get used to the heat. Sorry.