Shanghai Apartment Tour: Duplex Living Costs in China

Apartment Tour in CHINA | How much does a duplex apartment cost in Shanghai? πŸ‡¨πŸ‡³

Destination:ChinaCity:ShanghaiPopulation:24.9 million
Apartment Tour in CHINA | How much does a duplex apartment cost in Shanghai? πŸ‡¨πŸ‡³
Always Away2025-11-0710 min

Apartment tour of our first home here in Shanghai, China!

In this video we give you a tour of our high rise apartment in Baoshan, Shanghai. Living in this apartment it quickly felt like home and cost much less than renting a single room in London - we were shocked by how cheap it was when compared to home, especially being in China's most expensive city to live in!

--- Always Away
November 7, 2025, Autumn in China

Video Chapters

  1. 0:00Shanghai expensive city to live
  2. 0:23Welcome to our humble abode
  3. 0:28Smart lock system explained
  4. 1:11Kitchen tour and appliances
  5. 3:06Bathroom and fridge placement
  6. 4:12Living area furniture and storage
  7. 5:21Unique blinds in glass
  8. 6:04Bedroom on mezzanine floor
  9. 7:16Second bedroom/office space
  10. 8:45Apartment price reveal

A tour of a surprisingly affordable duplex apartment in Shanghai, China, highlighting smart home features, clever storage solutions, and extensive complex amenities.

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

  1. Tip 1Smart locks with fingerprint and passcode access are common and convenient, a great feature for modern living in China. (0:28)
  2. Tip 2Consider purchasing a portable hob if your rental doesn't include one; they are efficient and a good solution for limited kitchen space. (1:25)
  3. Tip 3An instant hot water dispenser is a practical addition for quick hot beverages, a useful item for any kitchen. (1:39)
  4. Tip 4A rice cooker is essential in China, and many modern ones offer multi-functionality, including baking cakes. (1:41)
  5. Tip 5An air fryer can be a perfect oven substitute, especially in apartments lacking a traditional oven, and is space-saving. (1:48)
  6. Tip 6Creative storage solutions are key; don't be afraid to repurpose furniture or use unconventional spaces like under the sink for non-food items. (3:28)
  7. Tip 7Blinds integrated within double-glazed glass offer a clean aesthetic and protection from dust and damage, a smart design choice. (5:23)
  8. Tip 8Multiple air conditioning units ensure comfort, and using curtains can help retain cool air for a cozier atmosphere. (6:35)
  9. Tip 9Maximize storage by utilizing wardrobe units with shelves and drawers, and consider behind-curtain spaces for clothing. (7:28)
  10. Tip 10Online shopping for home goods like mirrors can offer significant savings compared to Western prices. (8:30)

This video takes viewers on an apartment tour in Shanghai, China, showcasing a duplex in the Baoshan district. The presenter highlights unique features like the smart lock system, which offers fingerprint and passcode access, a stark contrast to traditional keys. The kitchen, while functional, presented storage challenges, leading to creative solutions for appliances like a hob, rice cooker, and air fryer. The bathroom features a walk-in shower, and surprisingly, the fridge found a home here due to kitchen space limitations. The living area boasts included furniture and a unique blind system embedded within the glass. The mezzanine level reveals a comfortable bedroom and a versatile second room with ample storage. The tour concludes with a look at the extensive complex amenities, including a gym, communal spaces, and sports facilities, before revealing the surprisingly affordable rent of 6,000 RMB (Β£600), which local friends considered high due to the location.

More about the current video:( 7 / 9 )

Apartment Tour in CHINA | How much does a duplex apartment cost in Shanghai? πŸ‡¨πŸ‡³

The video offers an in-depth apartment tour in Shanghai, China, specifically a duplex in the Baoshan district, presented by Always Away. The presenter begins by introducing Shanghai as China's most expensive city and setting the stage for the apartment's cost and features. A notable initial impression is the smart lock system, a departure from typical UK locks, offering convenient access via fingerprint or passcode, which the presenter found impressive and simplifying daily life.

The tour moves into the apartment's entryway, where a shoe rack proved too small for their footwear, becoming a makeshift hatch. The kitchen area is explored next. It's revealed that most appliances, including a hob and an espresso machine, were purchased by the residents, with only the washing machine being included. The kitchen features an instant hot water dispenser and a rice cooker capable of baking cakes, alongside an air fryer that serves as an oven substitute. Storage is a recurring theme, with the presenter noting a lack of cupboard space, especially for food, due to the water heater and cleaning supplies. This led to creative storage solutions, extending into other areas.

The bathroom, equipped with a walk-in shower, also houses the fridge due to space constraints in the kitchen. The living area showcases included furniture like a sofa and TV stand, with the addition of a purchased bean bag. Unique features like blinds integrated within the double-glazed glass panels are highlighted for their design and practicality, keeping them dust-free.

Ascending to the mezzanine level, the bedroom is presented, also furnished with included items. The comfort of the bed and the effectiveness of the air conditioning, amplified by a curtain to trap cool air, are emphasized. This level also contains a versatile space that could serve as a second bedroom or office, boasting significant storage, including wardrobes and drawers for clothes and luggage. A significant find was a large mirror purchased online for a fraction of the UK price.

Before revealing the cost, the presenter details the extensive amenities available within the apartment complex: a gym, communal kitchen and lounge areas, an indoor cinema, tennis and basketball courts, green spaces, and nearby shops and restaurants, making it a self-contained and convenient living environment. The apartment's rent is disclosed as 6,000 RMB (approximately Β£600), which, compared to London prices, is considered very affordable, especially given the included facilities. However, a local friend's comment that the price was high due to the apartment's distance from the city center adds an interesting perspective. The video concludes with a look ahead to future apartment tours as the couple has recently moved twice.

FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)

Q: What are the benefits of the smart lock system?
A: The smart lock system allows access via fingerprint or passcode, making it much easier than carrying keys and offering a sense of security.
Q: What were the storage challenges in the kitchen?
A: There was limited cupboard space for food, partly due to the water heater and cleaning supplies, requiring creative solutions to store essentials.
Q: What appliances were purchased versus included?
A: Most appliances like the hob, espresso machine, rice cooker, and air fryer were purchased, with only the washing machine being included.
Q: What amenities are available in the apartment complex?
A: The complex offers a gym, communal kitchen and lounge, indoor theater, tennis and basketball courts, green spaces, shops, and restaurants.
Q: How much does the apartment cost?
A: The apartment costs 6,000 RMB per month, which is about Β£600, considered very affordable compared to London.
Q: What was a local perspective on the apartment's cost?
A: A local friend mentioned that the rent was considered high due to the apartment's distance from the city center.

Shanghai Apartment Tour: Duplex Living Costs in China

Apartment tour of our first home here in Shanghai, China! πŸ‡¨πŸ‡³ In this video we give you a tour of our high rise apartment in Baoshan, Shanghai. Living in this apartment it quickly felt like home and cost much less than renting a single room in London - we were shocked by how cheap it was when...

Shanghai Duplex Apartment Tour: Cost & Features in China

Ever wondered about living costs in Shanghai? This video offers an exclusive look inside a duplex apartment in Baoshan, revealing a surprisingly affordable reality compared to London. Discover how this high-rise home quickly became a sanctuary, challenging perceptions of China's most expensive city. It's a peek into expat life and the unexpected value found in Shanghai.