Shenzhen is one of the easiest major Chinese cities for newcomers to settle in — modern infrastructure, strong English in international workplaces, fast transport and a population built largely of people who arrived from somewhere else. But the practical first weeks still involve a long list of small tasks: housing, payments, phone service, transport apps, supermarkets, schools and local services. This guide covers the essentials; we also help families do it in person.
Your district will shape daily life more than almost any other decision.
For families, school location often comes first and housing second. Apartment viewing in Shenzhen is easier with someone local, because listings, agents and lease terms are mostly in Chinese.
When viewing apartments, check the actual commute, building management, noise, natural light, appliances and whether utilities are included. Leases typically involve a deposit and defined terms for notice and repairs. We accompany viewings, help compare options and explain the paperwork before anything is signed.
China runs heavily on mobile payments, and arriving without them means struggling for everything from taxis to convenience stores. International card holders can now bind cards to the major payment apps, and we help you complete the setup, verify it works and understand where cash or cards are still useful.
A local phone number makes apps, deliveries and registrations far simpler. We help you choose and activate a suitable SIM plan and understand how to stay connected to international services you rely on.
Shenzhen's metro is clean, extensive and affordable, and ride-hailing is easy once payment is set up. In Nanshan you can even experience driverless robotaxis as part of daily transport. We install and configure the key transport apps with you so you can move independently from the first week.
Shenzhen has large supermarkets, international food options and online delivery that can bring almost anything to your door quickly. We show newcomers where to shop for familiar foods, how local delivery works and how to handle the everyday tasks that feel unfamiliar at first — from utilities to household services.
If you are moving with children, start school research early and visit campuses in person. We combine school visits with area tours so families can judge the practical daily route between home and school. Children usually settle fastest when the first weeks include familiar routines alongside the new environment.
Our settling-in assistance pairs you with a local English-speaking host for the practical tasks that are hardest to do remotely — apartment viewing, payments, SIM setup, transport, shopping and accompanied school visits. We can work through the essentials in a focused trip or spread across your first weeks. Contact us before you arrive so we can prepare viewings and appointments.
Tell us your timeline, family size and the district or school you're considering.
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