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LifeSkills city guide

Shenzhen

China

Shenzhen, China's tech megacity that has grown in forty years from a fishing village to a metropolis of innovation, is the youngest and most dynamic in the country. Alongside Hong Kong, it is the capital of start-ups and hardware (Tencent, Huawei, DJI, BYD), with rapidly rising universities (SUSTech, CUHK-Shenzhen). Extremely modern and full of opportunities, it however has some of the highest real estate prices in China.

Explore neighborhoods Compare neighborhoods
Safety 88/100
Affordability 48/100
Student-friendly 82/100
Nightlife 74/100
Transport 90/100

Last reviewed: 2026-07-21. Rent, scores and commute notes are indicative and should be verified before real decisions.

Interactive map

Suddivisioni amministrative di Shenzhen

Official administrative boundaries: Suddivisioni amministrative. Select an area to view the available data.

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Verified geographic dataset

Boundary source: OpenStreetMap contributors — confini verificati sull’elenco ufficiale di Shenzhen (ODbL 1.0). Base map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Compare

Neighborhood ranking

Best neighborhoods for students

  1. Nanshan (南山) 90/100
  2. Longgang (龙岗) 86/100
  3. Futian (福田) 90/100
  4. Luohu (罗湖) 86/100

Best neighborhoods for nightlife

  1. Luohu (罗湖) 86/100
  2. Futian (福田) 90/100
  3. Nanshan (南山) 90/100
  4. Bao'an (宝安) 84/100

Best neighborhoods for quiet living

  1. Yantian (盐田) 90/100
  2. Guangming (光明) 86/100
  3. Longgang (龙岗) 86/100
  4. Bao'an (宝安) 84/100

Best neighborhoods for low rent

  1. Guangming (光明) 2,000 CNY
  2. Longgang (龙岗) 2,200 CNY
  3. Bao'an (宝安) 2,400 CNY
  4. Longhua (龙华) 2,600 CNY

Best neighborhoods for safety

  1. Nanshan (南山) 90/100
  2. Futian (福田) 90/100
  3. Yantian (盐田) 90/100
  4. Luohu (罗湖) 86/100

Neighborhood cards

Where to live in Shenzhen

Nanshan (南山)

Student hub

Nanshan (南山): The tech and university heart: the Tencent headquarters, the High-Tech Park, Shenzhen University and SUSTech, Shenzhen Bay and OCT. Innovative, green and affluent

Room
3,500 CNY
Studio
5,500 CNY
Apartment
7,000 CNY
Safety 90 Student-friendly 90 Nightlife 78 Commute 84
Pros
  • safety: 90/100 in this guide.
  • Indicative room rent: 3,500 CNY.
  • Useful for Shenzhen University.
Cons
  • Check the exact block and building before signing.
  • Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
  • Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
student-friendlynear universitiesworker-friendly

Longgang (龙岗)

Student hub

Longgang (龙岗): The university east is growing: CUHK-Shenzhen (in English), the center of the Universiade and new neighborhoods. Low rents, but further from the center

Room
2,200 CNY
Studio
3,600 CNY
Apartment
4,800 CNY
Safety 86 Student-friendly 84 Nightlife 54 Commute 70
Pros
  • safety: 86/100 in this guide.
  • Indicative room rent: 2,200 CNY.
  • Useful for CUHK-Shenzhen.
Cons
  • Check the exact block and building before signing.
  • Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
  • Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
student-friendlynear universitieslow rent

Futian (福田)

Premium

Futian (福田): The center and the CBD: skyscrapers, seat of government, Coco Park with nightlife and the crossing point to Hong Kong. Very central, business and among the most expensive

Room
3,800 CNY
Studio
6,000 CNY
Apartment
7,500 CNY
Safety 90 Student-friendly 82 Nightlife 82 Commute 90
Pros
  • safety: 90/100 in this guide.
  • Indicative room rent: 3,800 CNY.
  • Useful for universities reachable by metro.
Cons
  • Check the exact block and building before signing.
  • Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
  • Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
premiumworker-friendlynightlife

Luohu (罗湖)

Nightlife

Luohu (罗湖): The historic center next to Hong Kong: the Luoho crossing, the shopping of Dongmen, the 90s skyscrapers and lower rents than the CBD. Lively and well connected

Room
3,000 CNY
Studio
4,800 CNY
Apartment
6,000 CNY
Safety 86 Student-friendly 78 Nightlife 84 Commute 88
Pros
  • transport: 88/100 in this guide.
  • Indicative room rent: 3,000 CNY.
  • Useful for universities reachable by metro.
Cons
  • Check the exact block and building before signing.
  • Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
  • Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
nightlifetransportbalanced

Study

Major universities in Shenzhen

Shenzhen University (深圳大学)

General public (~40,000 students, the main city university)

See on the map
Economy and managementEngineeringInformaticsDesign and artsLetters
Nearest neighborhoods
Nanshan (南山)Futian (福田)
Commute from top areas
  • Nanshan (南山)5-15 min (Yuehai campus)
  • Futian (福田)20-35 min
  • Luohu (罗湖)30-45 min

Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech, 南方科技大学)

Public research (young and rapidly emerging, science and technology oriented)

See on the map
EngineeringInformaticsMaterials sciencesEnvironmental sciencesPhysics
Nearest neighborhoods
Nanshan (南山)Bao'an (宝安)
Commute from top areas
  • Nanshan (南山)5-20 min (Xili)
  • Bao'an (宝安)20-35 min
  • Futian (福田)30-45 min

Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-Shenzhen, 香港中文大学(深圳))

Sino-English (in English; title from the Chinese University of Hong Kong)

See on the map
Economy and managementData scienceEngineeringHumanities and social sciences
Nearest neighborhoods
Longgang (龙岗)Luohu (罗湖)
Commute from top areas
  • Longgang (龙岗)5-20 min
  • Luohu (罗湖)30-45 min
  • Futian (福田)40-55 min

Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen (HITSZ, 哈尔滨工业大学(深圳))

Public research (southern campus of the prestigious HIT, engineering)

See on the map
EngineeringInformaticsAutomationEconomy
Nearest neighborhoods
Nanshan (南山)Bao'an (宝安)
Commute from top areas
  • Nanshan (南山)5-20 min (Xili University Town)
  • Bao'an (宝安)20-35 min
  • Longhua (龙华)25-40 min

Shenzhen Technology University (SZTU, 深圳技术大学)

Applied sciences publication (industry and technology oriented)

See on the map
EngineeringInformaticsIndustrial designHealth
Nearest neighborhoods
Longgang (龙岗)Longhua (龙华)
Commute from top areas
  • Longgang (龙岗)10-25 min (Pingshan/Longgang)
  • Longhua (龙华)30-45 min
  • Futian (福田)45-60 min

Rent analysis

Average rent by neighborhood

Indicative monthly asking levels for rooms, studios and apartments.

Nanshan (南山)
3,500 CNY
Futian (福田)
3,800 CNY
Luohu (罗湖)
3,000 CNY
Longgang (龙岗)
2,200 CNY
Bao'an (宝安)
2,400 CNY
Longhua (龙华)
2,600 CNY
Yantian (盐田)
2,600 CNY
Guangming (光明)
2,000 CNY
Neighborhood cardsRoomStudioApartment
Nanshan (南山)3,500 CNY5,500 CNY7,000 CNY
Futian (福田)3,800 CNY6,000 CNY7,500 CNY
Luohu (罗湖)3,000 CNY4,800 CNY6,000 CNY
Longgang (龙岗)2,200 CNY3,600 CNY4,800 CNY
Bao'an (宝安)2,400 CNY3,800 CNY5,000 CNY
Longhua (龙华)2,600 CNY4,000 CNY5,200 CNY
Yantian (盐田)2,600 CNY4,000 CNY5,200 CNY
Guangming (光明)2,000 CNY3,200 CNY4,200 CNY

Cheapest: Guangming (光明), Longgang (龙岗), Bao'an (宝安)

Mid-range: Bao'an (宝安), Longhua (龙华), Yantian (盐田)

Premium: Futian (福田), Nanshan (南山), Luohu (罗湖)

Safety

Safety notes

Safer neighborhoods

Yantian (盐田), Nanshan (南山), Futian (福田)

Areas to be careful with

very crowded areas in the center and at the crossings during rush hour (rare pickpocketing), some industrial areas and denser "urban villages" (城中村)., Be careful of rental scams: use reliable agencies or platforms

  • Shenzhen is one of the safest large cities in the world for street crime, very low; the main risk is rental scams and traffic inconveniences.
  • It is a very young city with internal migrants: almost no one is "local", the atmosphere is open and dynamic, but Chinese remains very useful outside of tech.
  • For payments and services WeChat/Alipay is needed; for Western sites often a VPN. Register at the local police station within 24 hours of arrival (or via hotel/university).

Student perspective: Students: Nanshan (Shenzhen University, SUSTech, HITSZ) and Longgang (CUHK-Shenzhen); for life and the lowest prices, Longhua and Bao'an. Those who study in English appreciate CUHK-Shenzhen.

Nightlife

Where to go out

Coco Park (Futian)

bars, clubs, restaurants

The busiest hub of bars and clubs in the CBD, the heart of the central nightlife.

Sea World (Nanshan)

international bars, restaurants, seaside clubs

The most international and lively area to the west, around the museum ship and Shekou square.

OCT-LOFT (Nanshan)

cafes, galleries, live music

Former industrial area transformed into a creative district, with cafés, design and concerts.

Dongmen (Luohu)

street food, evening shopping, KTV

The historic commercial heart, very lively in the evening with stalls, shops and karaoke.

Shekou (Nanshan)

pubs, international cuisine, expat community

The historically most expat neighborhood, with pubs, restaurants from around the world and clubs on the seafront.

Transport

Getting around Shenzhen

Shenzhen has one of the most modern and fastest-growing subways in the world (over 17 lines and 550 km), with cheap kilometer fares (2-6 CNY), supported by buses and rapid crossings to Hong Kong.

Metro Extremely modern and rapidly expanding metro: over 17 lines and 550 kmMileage fee (2-6 CNY)Connections to the crossings to Hong Kong (Futian, Luohu, Huanggang)
Tram / busBus network (from 2 CNY) and some modern tram lines; metro and bus cover the whole city, with payment via Shenzhen Tong or QR.
TrainShenzhen is connected by high speed to Guangzhou (~30 min) and Hong Kong (~15 min from Futian station) as well as to the whole country; the airport (SZX) is a large hub.
Pass info Metro 2 CNY (≤4 km)3 CNY (4-12 km)4 CNY (12-24 km)5-6 CNY abovebus from 2 CNYpayment with Shenzhen Tong or QR (Alipay/WeChat)
WalkabilityGood in the central and planned areas (parks, Shenzhen Bay greenway), but the city is new, extensive and designed on large arteries: the metro remains essential.
Bike-friendlinessGood and flat, with widespread bike sharing and greenways; the hot and humid climate is less tempting to cycle in the summer.

Transport sources Shenzhen Metro — linee e tariffeChina Railway / Shenzhen — alta velocità e Hong KongShenzhen — mobilità ciclabile e bike sharing

Cost of living

Monthly budget estimate

Reference monthly budget 4,000-7,000 CNY/month

room + utilities + groceries + transportation · excluding university fees

Spending items

Food around 1,500-2,500 CNY/month (shopping and meals) cheap meal 35-55 CNY
Transport meter per kilometer rate (2-6 CNY) Shenzhen Tong or QR; bus from 2 CNY
Utilities approximately 300-450 CNY/month (utilities subtropical climate, air conditioning in summer)
Coffee / bars cappuccino around 28-35 CNY cheap meal 35-55 CNY

Budget sources Numbeo — Costo della vita a ShenzhenShenzhen Metro — tariffe della metropolitana

Decision guide

Pros and cons of living in Shenzhen

5 strengths

  1. Shenzhen has one of the most modern and fastest-growing subways in the world (over 17 lines and 550 km), with cheap kilometer fares (2-6 CNY), supported by buses and rapid crossings to Hong Kong.
  2. Shenzhen University (深圳大学), Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech, 南方科技大学), Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-Shenzhen, 香港中文大学(深圳)): poli di studio rilevanti per la città.
  3. Students: Nanshan (Shenzhen University, SUSTech, HITSZ) and Longgang (CUHK-Shenzhen); for life and the lowest prices, Longhua and Bao'an. Those who study in English appreciate CUHK-Shenzhen.
  4. Shenzhen has some of the highest real estate prices in China, but a relatively flexible rental market: a room costs ~2,000-3,800 CNY/month and a one-bedroom apartment in the center (Futian, Nanshan) ~5,000-7,000 CNY.
  5. Nanshan (南山), Futian (福田), Luohu (罗湖) sono tra le zone analizzate nella guida.

5 drawbacks

  1. Shenzhen is one of the safest large cities in the world for street crime, very low; the main risk is rental scams and traffic inconveniences.
  2. Rentals require a deposit and agency commission; payments almost always go through WeChat Pay or Alipay.
  3. Among the most expensive districts
  4. Rent, scores and commute notes are indicative and should be verified before real decisions.

FAQ

Questions about moving to Shenzhen

Is Shenzhen a good city for students?

Yes: it is a very young and dynamic city, with rapidly growing universities such as SUSTech, Shenzhen University and CUHK-Shenzhen (in English, with the title of the Chinese University of Hong Kong). It is safe and full of opportunities in tech; the challenges are language, visa and digital (VPN) restrictions.

Is Shenzhen a good city for workers?

Yes, it's the tech and start-up capital of China: home to Tencent, Huawei, DJI and BYD and a huge, high-wage hardware and innovation ecosystem. You need a Z visa with a work permit; English helps in tech but Chinese remains very useful.

Which neighborhoods are worth looking at?

For students: Nanshan (Shenzhen University, SUSTech) and Longgang (CUHK-Shenzhen); for those who work in tech and life: Nanshan and Futian (CBD). Cheaper: Longhua, Bao'an and Longgang.

Which neighborhoods are cheapest?

Guangming, Longgang, Bao'an and Longhua have the lowest fees; Futian (CBD) and Nanshan (tech park) are the most expensive.

Is public transport convenient?

Excellent: one of the most modern subways in the world (2-6 CNY), cheap buses and fast crossings to Hong Kong. You pay with Shenzhen Tong or QR.

How much budget is needed?

For a student approximately 4,000-7,000 CNY per month for room, utilities, expenses and transport; university fees are extra (scholarships exist). Those who work in tech often rank between 8,000 and 16,000 CNY or more.

What do you need to know before moving?

You need WeChat and Alipay for almost everything and often a VPN for Western sites; registration at the police station within 24 hours. A big plus is the proximity to Hong Kong (~15 min by train from Futian) for travel and services.