Student Question: Hello Master Chi, I currently own no property and carry no mortgage. I’m looking to buy my first home with a budget of around 5 million RMB, and I want to stay in Shenzhen. How should I approach this? Any advice?
Master Chi’s Response: Hello. In Shenzhen, 5 million can get you a first-home unit in the 70–90 square meter range, priced between 50,000 and 70,000 RMB per square meter.
In prime districts like Nanshan and Futian, the units may be even smaller at that price point. But in other areas — parts of Bao’an, parts of Longhua, parts of Luohu, and parts of Longgang — there are still solid options to choose from. How exactly to choose? That requires a case-by-case analysis based on your specific circumstances.
What matters most, above all else, is reading the current market clearly and making decisions grounded in your actual situation.
Whatever you decide in Shenzhen, keep this principle in mind: if you can buy in the west, buy west — not east. Among your options, prioritize school district access first.
Get as close to a metro line as possible. If you want well-rounded community amenities, choose something closer to the urban core rather than remote hillside developments far from the city.
Try to avoid projects or neighborhoods with low odds of qualifying for school enrollment zones. In the end, choose the home that genuinely fits your life.