Moving to another city is always a stressful thing. Stress can make us forget even the essential necessities that we need to settle down. Here’s a useful to-do list for all the newcomers:
1. Get your local ID and tax number
Getting or updating your documents is something to be made a top priority, as this can prevent you from doing many things on this list, such as opening a bank account or accessing local healthcare.
2. Choose your doctor/dentist
Secure your health first. In countries where public healthcare is available, you need to pick a personal doctor to whom you will be going first when something’s wrong with your health. Ask your colleagues at work to recommend a good dentist who wouldn’t rip you off.
3. Pick a bank
This is so much fun for some people, like myself. I love comparing conditions and benefits that banks are offering, but it is also of great importance. Check if the bank is offering all the services that you need, and what their conditions are for transferring the money back to your home country. Believe me, you want to do your research before you sign a bunch of papers without reading the “fine print”. Nobody wants to go through all that administration twice. You might want to bring someone who can speak the local language as well!
4. Find the best ways to commute
Ask around about the common ways that people commute in your new city. What is the availability of public transportation? In some cities, bicycles and taxis are more popular than dated trams or buses that are circulating. Use the Internet routing tools such as Google Maps to find the best way to get to work, the gym or your favorite green market.
5. Pick your favorite grocery store
We are spending too big a chunk of our lifetime shopping for groceries to waste it in some dump that looks like a warehouse. Surely, from time to time it is worth going to these places to get a good deal on some products, but you want to be enjoying your shopping at a nice place. Try it, and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
6. Get new clothing and furniture
Moving to a new place is an excellent excuse to get rid of the clothes and the furniture that you always secretly hated. If your new city has IKEA or H&M, that’s great, but try to find out where locals are buying their clothes and furniture. Buying at those stores will help you immerse yourself in the local way of life.
7. Choose a hairdresser
Everyone needs a hairdresser. Ok, almost everyone. There are still the ones and twos of people whose hair-trimming skills are good enough for a self-haircut. But everyone else needs a professional to do it. Since the prices of their services can vary significantly, investigate before you are sorry.
8. Get involved in learning the local language
Going to these classes is a good way to meet other expats and expand your circle of friends. Plus, it makes your everyday life much easier. If you already know the local language, I suggest you get involved in learning a new language or a craft, or join a cause or a club (e.g., a drama club, pet rescue centre).
9. Ask people about the cheaper ways to get stuff
Flea markets, thrift stores, used bicycle auctions, and local bidding websites can save you some money that you can use for a day trip around the city or going to that amusement park that everyone is talking about.
10. And don’t forget to find your asylum
Find a special place where you can get yourself on a date from time to time. It can be a restaurant, a café, a park or just a bench in your neighborhood. But having that one spot that you love is really important to have, wherever in the world you are.
This top 10 list was submitted to us by a guest author and International School Community member.
All guest authors on our blog get one year of free premium membership to our website. Email us if you are interested in becoming one of the next guest authors on the ISC blog.
Comparing the Schools and Comments: Working in Shanghai, China (2026)
Around the world, some cities have more than one international school. Many times there is an American school, a British School, and an international school that uses an international curriculum.
Some cities, though, have MANY international schools! When that is the case, how do the comments about each school compare to each other?
This blog series will look at comparing some of these comments submitted by ISC members, all coming from international schools in the same city.
Currently, we have 32 schools listed in Shanghai on International School Community.
Schools with the most submitted comments (number count from August 2026):
Yew Chung International School (Shanghai) – 53 Comments
Shanghai Community International School – 82 Comments
Shanghai American School – Puxi – 56 Comments
Concordia International School (Shanghai) – 187 Comments
British International School Shanghai – Puxi – 35 Comments
Western International School of Shanghai – 572 Comments
Shanghai American School (Pudong) – 209 Comments
Shanghai United International School (Hongqiao) – 101 Comments
Shanghai Singapore International School – 99 Comments
Lycee Francais de Shanghai – 82 Comments
British International School Shanghai – Pudong – 12 Comments
Salaries
“Base pay for teachers with 3 or more yrs of experience is between $32,000 and $39,000 (tax-free). Entry level is a little bit lower at $26,000-$32,000.” – Shanghai Community International School
“You can expect to make 16000 RMB a month after taxes.” – Shanghai Singapore International School
“I would say that teachers’ NET is around 21000 – this must be dependent on teaching experience, etc.” – Shanghai United International School (Hongqiao)
“The full salary is paid in RMB. The school adds an extra 500 RMB towards utility bills. The yearly pay is divided into 12 months. For newcomers, their first pay is on September 20th, although school starts in early August. This is clearly stated in the contract, but those new teachers coming in need to be aware of this that they won’t see money until September.” – Western International School of Shanghai
“Take-home per month is around 30,000 RMB (approximately 3500). You’ll be paid over time for any hours over your contracted 18. This is not paid throughout the summer. You receive 12 paychecks a year.” – Lycee Francais de Shanghai
Hiring Policy
“Teachers need to have at least two years of teaching experience in order to be considered.” – Concordia International School (Shanghai)
“WISS starts recruiting early but is very fair to its teachers. Those who “may” leave have their position advertised and only have to make a final decision when someone has been found as a replacement.” – Western International School of Shanghai
“They rely a lot on hiring people who are recommended by current employees. You still go through the interview process, etc. My initial contact to the school was through a connection I had to somebody already working here.” – Yew Chung International School (Shanghai)
“They attend Search Associates in January. They advertise in TES and through Teachanywhere.com. They interview in person or via Skype.” – British International School Shanghai – Pudong
“They are prioritizing teachers in China. The interview process is 3 interviews, and it’s very competitive right now with so many vacancies.” – Shanghai American School (Pudong)
Recent things the school has taken on
“A few years ago, the school decided it was important to do open houses (like other international schools in Shanghai), and that added a lot more work for the teachers. But hopefully they discontinued that this year.” – Yew Chung International School (Shanghai)
“The school is now implementing the ‘high performance learning’ initiative, which is being implemented across all the Nord Anglia Schools” – British International School Shanghai – Puxi
“There were many accomplishments from staff and students. It is amazing how many different areas were top-notch: Sports, drama department, music program, Chinese language, and much more.” – Shanghai Community International School
“The school has another campus in Qingpu which is probably one of the best campuses in China.” – Shanghai United International School (Hongqiao)
Housing
“Furnished 2-bedroom for single & married teachers, not sure about families. Furnished means basic furnishings including TV, sofa, dining table & chairs, beds & bedding, bath linens, kitchen appliances, & basic cooking utensils & dishes. After one year, staff can opt to take a housing allowance instead of school housing. Most people are satisfied with housing overall, although sometimes it takes several “reminders” for repairs or service requests in school apts. Utility costs vary but are fairly cheap. My average for electricity, gas, & water is 100-200 RMB per month. Internet is 1,400 RMB per year. Mobile phone depends on plan/amount of data. – Yew Chung International School (Shanghai)
“Housing is provided by WISS for the 1st year. Teachers can decide for themselves for subsequent years whether they want to stay in the provided accommodation or find their own place.” – Western International School of Shanghai
“Housing allowance provided but most staff pay a bit more out of their own pocket to live in more desirable areas. Staff can choose to stay in school housing” – British International School Shanghai – Puxi
“Housing varies massively in price. If you are out of town and in a Chinese neighborhood, you can find a good deal. I live halfway between school and Jing’an and pay Y9000 a month (1500) for a two-bedroom, new apartment. My place is expensive, but I like it. The housing allowance is minimal. Y2600 a month for a couple (only one of you needs to be employed by the school), but there is a Y6000 living stipend. I’m not sure why it is separated like this, but I think it might be to do with taxes.” – Lycee Francais de Shanghai
“Staff housing in Jinqiao is huge and beautiful. The neighborhood has everything you need and has a metro line. You can take the allowance to live downtown instead, and with the allowance being raised for next year, some people will save money.” – Shanghai American School (Pudong)
(These are just 4 of the 73 different comment topics that are on each school profile page on our website.)
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