Your favourite neighborhood in Zhuhai?

Never been to Qianshan, haha!
John

If I recall, this is the area we lived in near the TPR school and it was very close to the promenade where we'd go to see the ocean. We loved it there.

No, no... that must be Xiangzhou. Qianshan is inland, no sea view but river view. Huafa New City is located in Qianshan. You may have a look at our Zhuhai English Map:
http://zhuhai.expat9.com/handbook/zhuhai-map
JJ
(PS: the map may not work with IE6... another good reason for you to upgrade to IE7)

Jida, is one of the nicest area in this part of the city, it is relatively clean and the people quite nice

Huafa New City is not in Qianshan, but in Nanping.

Gonbei has plenty of choice, but is too sleezy for me. Jida has 2 great Indian restaurants, so that gets my vote.

I guess that depends on where you go, what you want to do or live. There are some interesting places in Gongbei, including Paotai Shan Gong Yuan; A Buddhist cometary complex; some great restaurants; and reasonable shopping.

Huafa Xincheng is indeed in Nanping District, the border being the Qianshan River. Qianshan district is interesting and industrial, I guess and tends to be the centre for all the house and home interior fittings and decorations. Think B&Q and other similar megaplexes. You can also get stone sculptures and such in the same area.

Jida would have to be the chic and sexy part of town. With Hita Plaza, and many boutique stores like little jewels dripping off the hotels and corporate office spaces. Of course there's the Zhuhai museum, a lovely place badly in need of an injection of funds and creative exhibition talent.It occupies some former gardens and residence complex of some minor note in Zhuhai history.

Wanzai is the port of choice for those who are half-day tripping to Macau. Usually crossing times and customs clearance is in the almost on hour range from end to end. Of course avoid the place like a plague during public holidays. Wanzia also has an interesting oceanarium which could be a great assest to this city but like the museum, it too is badly in need of an injection of funds, it also needs some marketing talent, I don't say new, because I don't think they have any. The fresh fish market is a cool place to spend some time in. I haven't spent all that much time there but it does look like a promising locality as a satellite suburb. From Gongbei, it's just as far as Xiangzhou.

Now Xiangzhou. Well what can I say? It's the hub of local, down to earth, expats making a reasonably loose community for themselves. You've got Ryan's, Dynamic's, Jusco, Jenny's, Michelle's (does anyone know where this bbq is?) and of course the IT Cyber centre known as Wan Zai Sha. As well as a variety of Englainsh Language schools, there's also Martyr's Park which is an interesting place to walk around. Off the beaten track, there are lots of interesting side streets and hilly areas that make for some interesting views and perspectives on local lifestyles and living conditions.

Lastly, dunno Tangjia so I can't comment.

Given all of this, I find it too hard to choose. I'd pick Nanping, but only for the place I live in. As for the greater local townships within Nanping, there are some areas that scare me - the atmospheric feeling really plays havok with my sense of safety. Most places usually don't bother and in some I'm the scariest person around, but these Nanping places really give me the willies...

regards,

T. Tempest. DCA
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"I'd love a thousand words in a foreign language." Tang Yuchuan

I live in Gongbei, in Hau Fa International Garden which is a fairly new apartment complex. It's actually quite nice everything including the grounds is brand new. There are some great upscale restaurants around in the neighborhood which stand out. I guess if your looking for some "shady places" there here too, but it's kinds tucked in so you've got go searching for it which isn't my thing.
I have gotton some appalling looks from people in the expat community about living in Gongbei however, my experience has been very good. I think you have to use your common sense when living in any city; avoid the areas that seem "sleezy", be cautious at night, keep your wallet in safe place. Pretty easy. It's not like there's drive by shootings here or anything!

Tangjia is one of the best areas in Zhuhai, though I am slightly biased having lived there for nearly 4 years. What other area of Zhuhai can boast a motor racing circuit, 2 great golf courses, 3 universities, an international school, some great scenery, 2 of the most famous seafood restaurants in Zhuhai and also an up and coming nightlife.

There is also Xiawan where the "new bar street" is located along the bank of the Qianshan river. It should be opening anytime this year. Most of the buildings(for bars/restaurants) are almost completed and waiting for their new tenants. The view will be fantastic as you should be able to see the nightlights of Macau and HuaFa New Century city when it is completed.