Shanghai is an extremely expensive city. Because its China's most westernized mainland city it has the "international prices", the subway system is unbelievably expensive compared to beijing hong kong or even New York city. Even its food can nearly be compared to western prices, because Shanghai has the largest population of westerners in mainland China, it can cost $9 for a cup of coffee or $12 for noodles. I say this because usually foreigners won't touch the "dive" restaurants that locals eat because they are afraid its not as clean as the larger more expensive restaurants. Unless you are going to shanghai jiaotong university or fudan university I'd be wary. You won't be learning proper mandarin in Shanghai and the Shanghainese dialect is considered the most confusing and bizarre dialect and even hard for non shanghainese chinese people to learn. Don't get me wrong Shanghai is a good city if to live in if you are financially secure. The people who really enjoy Shanghai are the rich westerners with these super amazing apartments etc etc. I'd try mumbai just because I've lived in China for a long time and it would be a change of pace and I absolutely loathe shanghai.