In the past, most residents preferred to buy flats around the central Huangpu district as the rest of the city was relatively undeveloped, said Wang. These days, however, most parts of the city are suitable for living thanks to the numerous metro stations across the city and the availability of quality housing.

"One does not need to worry about the level of convenience in the neighborhoods these days. Even if the region is far from the city center, it is still likely to be fully equipped with entertainment, medical and education amenities. City plans and reforms are responsible for driving these developments," she said.