Visas and health. Please consult our section on these topics in the Business section -- click here.

Housing. Consult Shanghai-ed's Real Estate page, or check through our phonebook for other real estate agencies. There is a wide range of property available, in terms of price and quality. It all depends on you budget and whether your compaqmny is giving you a housing allowance. You can pay anything from a few hundred U.S. dollars up to $12,000 a month. Generally, housing in Shanghai is a buyers' market at the moment -- supply vastly exceeds demand in all categories -- so bargain.

Here is a rough guide to the types of housing available:

Villas. They can be expensive, but they can feature gardens, split-level living, garages, full amenities and a health club somewhere close by. You will pay handsomely for this luxury, but prices are coming down. Most of the villa developments are in the Hongqiao and Gubei areas to the west of the city center.

Old Villas. Much more classy, generally in the old French concession area. These are residences dating from before the Communist takeover in 1949. The Shanghailanders sure knew how to live in style. For old houses which have been properly renovated, with electrical and plumbing updated, prices can be high, but the location is great and comfort guaranteed. For those that haven't been renovated ... expect problems amidst the grandeur.

Apartment blocks. These range from luxurious to grotty with prices varying accordingly. The range of choices grows by the day. Check with the real estate agency.

Living with the Chinese. This is the cheapest way to go, although it involves stepping into the huge twilight zone of potential legality that covers most activities in China.

Schools. The choice is not great yet, but thing are slowly improving. Rome was not built in a day, and Shanghai takes a good week.