Accommodation in Shanghai can be frustrating. The converted lane house you rent for ¥24,000 a month may be close to the hub of the action, but it frequently loses hot water, while the expansive suburban villa your family needs leaves you isolated from city life. It’s important to choose your housing carefully – in a city this big, and this sprawling, where you live really dictates your lifestyle. The best way to get a feel for Shanghai’s varied residential worlds before you sign up is to stroll through the different neighbourhoods, and also give potential daily journeys a trial run. Speaking to a property agent that specialises in expatriate housing, as well as asking colleagues and friends about their areas, helps too.­­­­