Beijing vs. Shanghai

Posted Dec 20, 2011 6:42am by MikeC

Joined: Dec 20th, 2011
Posts: 1

My family and I are about to relocate from New York City to China. Originally my position was suppossed to be in Shanghai, but they are now asking that I strongly consider relocating to Beijing instead. If I stay in Shanghai I will be traveling to and from Beijing a lot. If I live in Beijing my travel will be minimal. However, I'm concerned about the pollution in Beijing, not only for my young kids but also because I'm an addicted runner and will likely not be able to run outside very often in BJ (not that SH is a running paradise).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Mike

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zhenlai

Joined: Aug 18th, 2008
Posts: 7,144

Re: Beijing vs. Shanghai

Posted by: zhenlai on Dec 20, 2011 4:11pm

If you have the choice of the two cities I suggest you stay as far away from Beijing as is possible for the sake of your family. Beijing is just not a place that is conducive to having a positive influence on a family. It is crude, backward and barbaric compared to the enlightened environment that surrounds Shanghai. I spent 5 years living in that quagmire they call Beijing. Though I don't actually live in Shanghai, I live close enough that I spend a good deal of my free time there.

美国鬼子

philipheggli

Joined: Jun 5th, 2006
Posts: 1

Re: Beijing vs. Shanghai

Posted by: philipheggli on Dec 20, 2011 5:59pm

I've lived in Beijing for 6 years and now will be relocated to Shanghai. My feeling is that Beijing has come a long way, especially after the 2008 Olympics. Even though pollution is a concern, Beijing does have its blue skies every now and again. (Not so much in the winter when all that coal is burning to keep homes warm, but in the spring/summer definitely).

Beijing is a beautiful city and many of my expat friends there agree it has more character than Shanghai due to its rich culture and locals not going straight for the money. Pollution and traffic congestion are the two things I won't miss in Beijing although the living cost in Beijing is a lot lower than in Shanghai.

You can relate more to NYC with Shanghai but Beijing is also an amazing city worth spending a few years. If anything, your kids won't grow up spoilt living in Beijing whilst patience/tolerance will also be harnessed.

philip heggli

RemmyM

Joined: Sep 17th, 2008
Posts: 5,838

Re: Beijing vs. Shanghai

Posted by: RemmyM on Dec 20, 2011 6:15pm

MikeC wrote:

I'm an addicted runner

I used to run outside before I came to China.

My first week here, I went out running and got chased by possibly-rabid dogs.

That was the end of that.

Years later I tried running here in the suburbs of Beijing.

I got so sick from the bad air and almost died several times due to speeding cars/trucks/bicycles/tuk-tuks etc. that I never tried it again.

I now have a treadmill in my home.

Remmy be pimpin' in BJ, yo!

zhenlai

Joined: Aug 18th, 2008
Posts: 7,144

Re: Beijing vs. Shanghai

Posted by: zhenlai on Dec 20, 2011 6:52pm

philipheggli wrote:

I've lived in Beijing for 6 years and now will be relocated to Shanghai. My feeling is that Beijing has come a long way, especially after the 2008 Olympics. Even though pollution is a concern, Beijing does have its blue skies every now and again. (Not so much in the winter when all that coal is burning to keep homes warm, but in the spring/summer definitely).

Beijing is a beautiful city and many of my expat friends there agree it has more character than Shanghai due to its rich culture and locals not going straight for the money. Pollution and traffic congestion are the two things I won't miss in Beijing although the living cost in Beijing is a lot lower than in Shanghai.

You can relate more to NYC with Shanghai but Beijing is also an amazing city worth spending a few years. If anything, your kids won't grow up spoilt living in Beijing whilst patience/tolerance will also be harnessed.

There are many comedy clubs in North America. When will you take your shtick there?

美国鬼子

The Equalizer

Joined: Dec 12th, 2011
Posts: 628

Re: Beijing vs. Shanghai

Posted by: The Equalizer on Jan 11, 2012 1:33pm

Probably most foreigners prefer Shanghai to BJ. I prefer BJ due to I have a certain comfort level here and I enjoy the new mixed with the traditional concerning buildings. Air quality is better in Shanghai.

Biggest difference I have experienced is Shanghai is better for business and BJ is better for friends. In Shanghai, business is more straight forward. Can u sell me that for this much? You will get a yes or no or start negotiating. In BJ after things are agreed, you can return the next day and nothing is clear. Depending on the situation things could have changed totally.

For friends, while in Shanghai you never know where you really stand. Many can say you are a good person or they like you, probably everyone will tell you this, but in fact, they could really dislike you. In BJ, if you meet someone, you will know if they like you or dislike you much more clearly.

I hope this info gives you more data in order to make a more intelligent decision.

Cheers!

If your hungover and wishing you were dead, then its not so bad. If your hungover and wondering why your not dead it might be bad.

Schnitz

Joined: Aug 27th, 2010
Posts: 15

Re: Beijing vs. Shanghai

Posted by: Schnitz on Jan 15, 2012 5:08pm

I strongly vote for Shanghai! Beijing is still a 3rd world place in so many ways and in so many areas. But the main point is the pollution, it's insanely crazy. Same for the traffic, everything 3rd ring and further inwards is basically ohne huge traffic jam from 8AM to 8PM.