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[adllinee1]

Dear All,

I am very glad to have found this very useful forum and thanks Mike for putting all this together.
My fiance and I will be moving to Hefei next month from Shanghai and we have no idea where to live yet.
We're not looking for areas purely specialized for expats, but it'd still be nice to know which districts you guys live and hang out the most.

Would you have any recommendation for rather international standards compounds, conveniently close to shopping, markets, walking distance to restaurants etc...

We will dearly miss the Former French concession in Shanghai with its charming tree-lined streets, bakeries and cafes..Anything slightly close to that, where you see yourself having a pleasant stroll on the week ends?

Thank you, appreciate any feedbacks!
Hope to meet some of you soon

[Aussie Mike]

After 7 years and 9 apartments, I'm now living in a comfortable 3 bedroom apartment near Wanda Plaza, It's a plesant 10 min walk to BaoHe park, the south east corner of the moat. Convenient bus and taxi. Cost is 1700 plus 400 average power and water, etc.

There are some amazing apartment complexes here if you want to pay 5000-8000 per month.

I've checked a few of them out, seriously, awsome.

My assist Bonnie, is very capable of doing some groundwork for you.

[Virginia9742]

400 for utilities?!  That's what I pay for rent/utilities...  Subsidized 

[adllinee1]

Thanks for sharing Mike, all sounds so cheap compared to Shanghai!!

I've heard of a large park whereby most foreigners like to stay, is it Baohe Park?
It'd be great to be in touch with Bonnie and see apartment photos if possible.

We're looking for a high-quality complex but I am still unsure as to which parts of town are better.

Are apartment rentals in Hefei mostly unfurnished??

[lagobiker]

Interesting topic, maybe in some weeks I´ll have to look for a similar apartment in Hefei.
I´ll see how to manage the change from Europe to Hefei 
Good luck!

[Aussie Mike]

I declined the on campus housing offer, I prefer to pay to get privacy.

[adllinee1]

Thanks you all for these renting tips and info, it's great! I will then check out Hupo district this week end.

Please let me know if there is any other reputable compound with a gym, any ideas? Budget is not an issue..

@bao luo: are most foreigners here teachers? It's funny how you assume I have some students hehe.

@lagobiker: good luck in advance, it's not easy to manage it from far away... and hope you speak a bit of chinese!

[lagobiker]

Thanks @adllinee1 for your comment. I know only a few words in chinese. I hope my Company allow me to hire some agency specialized in assistance to expats.....
Please share with us your findings, I hope to be in Hefei some days in early February and meet you if possible,
Best,

[adllinee1]

I think we got a good feeling of how the city looks like within a week end.

These are the areas that we checked out and our first impressions:
- Binhu New district (one big central shopping mall with residential compounds around)
- Mingzhu square: visited East Pacific Gardens but even if the agents were quite optimistic about pleasing us, the renovation/furnishings were not up to standard...Gym was a bit weird.
The "European-flavor" street was quite deceiving and kinda old. There is only Lotus supermarket surrounded by local stores.
- Wanda Plaza was much better, more modern with all the usual international chains and restaurants but it is such a busy area, it took us 40 min to find a taxi.
- We were recommended to check out the area around Carrefour at Sanliyang and it was ok, not sure about the condition of the housing there.
- Hupo Shanzhuang: no time to visit any apartment but the huge compound (separated by a large road) is quite charming and agreeable on a sunny day I bet, with lakes and greenery everywhere. Housing looks old though, even the villas around the lake.

As for the search, it was good to contact a few local agents that had posted photos online. They had helped to organize a few visits upon our arrival.
There doesnt seem to be any english-speaking real estate or relocation company (except for CityPointe).
I have also talked to all the taxi drivers that we took, they even gave us guided tours around the neighborhoods we wanted to check out. People are so friendly and nice, such a change from Shanghai...

Obviously, it will take us some time to find a suitable apartment. We have no choice but stay in a hotel for a period until we find something.

Thanks all, still welcoming comments or recommendations if any