Warm, flexible living in the heart of the Former French Concession

This inviting three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment in Joffre Garden balances characterful lane-house ambiance with the convenience of a managed compound. A well-proportioned living and dining area gives you room to host friends, work from home, or simply unwind after a day in the city. Air conditioning keeps summers pleasant during Shanghai’s humid months, while efficient heating ensures comfort when temperatures dip in winter.

The kitchen is fitted for practical, everyday cooking with dependable gas, a feature many expats prefer for its responsiveness and lower running costs. Two bathrooms reduce morning bottlenecks; one includes a bathtub so you can recharge with a long soak. Three bedrooms provide flexibility: think primary suite, guest room, and a quiet office or nursery.

Set off leafy Nanchang Road, the home enjoys a calm, tucked-away position that still leaves you steps from Middle Huaihai Road‘s cosmopolitan energy. Finishes are neutral and easy to personalize, while thoughtful storage helps keep clutter at bay. The overall effect is a peaceful, functional base for professional life in Shanghai’s most storied district, where weekends are easily spent exploring galleries, independent cafes, and historic streets lined with plane trees.

Joffre Garden (Dongfang Ba Li): a calm residential enclave in the FFC

Joffre Garden, known in Chinese as Dongfang Ba Li, sits within the refined grid of the Former French Concession, offering a quieter residential counterpoint to the bustle of nearby Middle Huaihai Road. Residents value its orderly common areas, secure access, and the reassuring presence of professional management that keeps day-to-day living smooth. Paths and shared spaces are well maintained, making the compound feel tidy, discreet, and neighborly.

What distinguishes Joffre Garden is balance: it delivers the ease of a modern compound while preserving the intimate, tree-lined character that draws people to this part of Xuhui. Mornings begin with a stroll to your favorite cafe; evenings end with a relaxed walk home along tranquil lanes. The community skews international without feeling transient, so it’s easy to settle in and feel connected.

Because the compound is woven into a mature urban fabric rather than set apart, errands stay simple. Dry cleaning, bakeries, fruit vendors, and specialty stores are in the immediate vicinity, while larger supermarkets and shopping centers along Huaihai are close at hand. Commuters appreciate straightforward access to metro hubs and major arterials, yet at home the soundscape remains pleasantly low-key. For expats seeking reliability, comfort, and a sense of place, Joffre Garden presents a measured, genuinely livable option.

Middle Huaihai Road: fashion, food, and heritage on your doorstep

Living near Middle Huaihai Road places you in the cultural heart of Shanghai’s Former French Concession, where heritage plane trees shade elegant streets filled with designer boutiques, artisanal bakeries, and contemporary galleries. The blend of old-world architecture and modern retail is unmistakable: browse independent labels by day, then slip into a tucked-away bistro or a wine bar along a quiet lane come evening. Major landmarks like iapm Mall anchor the area’s retail, while side streets offer a slower, more intimate rhythm.

Connectivity is excellent. South Shaanxi Road Station provides rapid links via Metro Lines 1, 10, and 12, and Changshu Road Station serves Lines 1 and 7, making commutes across Puxi and to Pudong straightforward. On weekends, Fuxing Park’s lawns and boulevards invite picnics and people-watching, and the stately townhouses of Sinan Mansions offer dining and cultural venues in a meticulously preserved setting.

For day-to-day needs, you’ll find international grocers, boutique fitness studios, and trusted medical clinics within easy reach, alongside beloved Shanghainese eateries and longstanding neighborhood markets. The lifestyle here is walkable and sociable, with most errands and leisure activities achievable on foot or by a short bike ride. It’s a location that rewards curiosity: every block reveals a new cafe, a hidden courtyard, or a craftsman’s shop, all framed by the FFC’s unmistakable canopy of trees.

Why this home works for expat life

Effortless daily rhythm: Three bedrooms and two bathrooms allow for smooth mornings, whether you’re hosting family or carving out a proper home office. Practical storage and a neutral palette make it simple to settle in quickly.

Comfort across seasons: With air conditioning for Shanghai’s humid summers and dependable heating for cool winters, the apartment stays comfortable year-round. The gas-equipped kitchen keeps cooking responsive and efficient.

Relax-and-recharge features: A well-kept bathroom with a bathtub turns weeknights into mini spa sessions, a small luxury that matters after long workdays or travel.

Quiet yet connected: Nestled inside Joffre Garden, you enjoy a calm residential setting while remaining moments from Middle Huaihai Road’s cafes, boutiques, and services. Metro access at South Shaanxi Road and Changshu Road streamlines commutes.

Authentic FFC lifestyle: Step out to tree-lined lanes, historic architecture, and a thriving food and culture scene. From specialty coffee to neighborhood grocers and respected clinics, essentials and indulgences are both close at hand.

Reliable living environment: Professional compound management and orderly communal areas create a reassuring base for newcomers to Shanghai, offering stability without sacrificing the charm that makes the Former French Concession so sought after.