Looking for British Expats in Shanghai?

No city is perfect. There are always some ups and downs. Discover what Brits expats love about Shanghai— and the challenges they face.

Pros of life in Shanghai

Safety first. Shanghai is one of the safest major cities in the world with a low violent crime rate against tourists and expats. However, just like anywhere else, pickpocketing and other petty crimes are still common so do look out for your things.

Life is simply more convenient. With infinite restaurants at every corner, delivery apps for food and groceries, an affordable public transportation system, and widely accepted easy to use digital payment methods make everyday life easy.

You wouldn't need a car. If you’re worried about train cancellations and delays just like in the UK, freight not as Shanghai has one of the most effective and diverse public transportation systems with its well-connected buses, trains and ferries. For late night travels or in urgent times, there is even e-hailing and taxi apps like DiDi

Healthcare can be a plus. With many of our British members being familiar with the NHS and its notorious wait times, healthcare is much more accessible in Shanghai with private clinics and small hospitals scattered all around the city. However, expats tend to go for more international clinics with English-speaking staff with a comprehensive health insurance plan often being a part of your employment package.

Cons of life in Shanghai

Internet restrictions and app bans make it tough. Unfortunately, moving to China does mean saying goodbye to some of your favorite everyday apps like WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook. The Great Firewall is one of our most mentioned cons to life in Shanghai as government bans and internet or media restrictions can make life harder and even isolate you from friends and family back home.

Air quality could be better. If you have ever seen locals in Shanghai, you might wonder why face masks seem to be worn all year around. Well the answer is poor air quality. With pollution and heavy industry being a part of life in Shanghai and even part of its history, this may be a problem which requires time to overcome. Britons note however, some improvement over the years.

Not everyone speaks English. Amongst the younger generation in Shanghai, English is more widely spoken but at the end of the day if you’d like to grab a quick lunch at a local stall nearby, you won't get by with just English. While theoretically it may be possible to survive with only English, even basic Mandarin will elevate your experience and make life so much easier.

Things are just different. A culture shock is to be expected when moving so far away from home but certain things can be incredibly different. With family and relationships (guanxi) being the forefront of culture in Shanghai, newcomers may struggle to understand the importance of personal connection even at a professional level. It is not uncommon to grab dinner and drinks with clients as a business meeting and seeing people fight to pay the bill in restaurants.

Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys among expats — asking them about various aspects of their life, from work to leisure. Learn what motivated our British members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.

Where can I meet other Britons in Shanghai?

If you’re into the idea of just bumping into other Brits in a bar, you can try Guiness Social, an English-owned pub serving pints of stout, a classic Sunday Roast and streams football games. Do also check out places like Abbey Road and Shanghai Brew House who bring the classic British pub vibes and a mean fish and chips.

An easier way make friends is attending specific events for Americans or expats in general.

The Shanghai Expatriate Association hosts semi-regular events, and our InterNations events are also a great opportunity to meet Britons and other English-speaking expats in Shanghai. Our Newcomers’ Events are geared towards introducing newcomers to the community which makes it so much easier and less intimidating to connect.

Where do Britons live in Shanghai?

Quite a few of our British members live in more international areas with and international schools in the vicinity. Popular choices are split between central historical districts and modern family-friendly areas.

Former French Concession (FFC): Offers historic charm with tree-lined streets, colonial architecture, and renovated lane houses with art galleries and cafes and international dining options.

Jing'an: Great for young professionals with a central, cosmopolitan feel with luxury boutiques, international restaurants, vibrant nightlife and easy metro access.

Jinqiao: Perfect for families with suburban-style living, green spaces, international schools, and community amenities like gyms and pools.

Lujiazui: Located in Shanghai's financial district, finance and business professionals often choose this area for short commutes to offices.

How much money should I make to live in Shanghai?

The average salary for single expats in Shanghai for 2026 is around ¥25,000 to ¥35,000 RMB per month after tax (approximately GDP 2,752.50 - GBP 3,854.54). Depending on certain factors like housing location and general lifestyle, it is possible to live comfortably with that amount. If you have a family to support, earning between ¥45,000 to ¥65,000 is considered a good salary.

Will I be able to survive in Shanghai without speaking Mandarin?

The language barrier in Shanghai still exits, with many locals speaking only basic or limited English. You can expect to survive without Mandarin in international bubbles, but you can count on experiencing the language barrier when ordering food at a local restaurant, exchanging pleasantries with clients, buying a metro pass, or when you seek medical care at a small clinic or hospital.

Ideally, treat your time in Shanghai as a Mandarin learning opportunity. Learning the local language will only improve the quality of life and make even simple interactions with locals so much easier. There is a wide variety of affordable language schools and local made Chinese to English translation apps such as Pleco and Baidu Translate to get you started.

We’re not just in Shanghai! InterNations has lively communities in 420 cities around the globe.

So if you’re thinking about relocating or are simply craving a fun night out, InterNations has got you covered. As a member, you’re welcome to join events in any of our InterNations Communities (https://www.internations.org/all-internations-cities/).