Welcome toLe DébutYour Premier Real State Agency in Shanghai
Shanghai Night
Welcome to

Le Début

Your Premier Real Estate Agency. We help for Hundreds of Exchange Students and young expats in Shanghai.

About Us
Our Services
Community
Our Story

At Le Début, we are dedicated to creating a vibrant community for exchange students from various universities. Our goal is to foster lasting connections and friendships.

Popular Districts

Discover the most popular residential districts in Shanghai for international students and young expats.

Jing'an

Jing'an

Hongkou

Hongkou

Huangpu

Huangpu

Putuo

Putuo

Pudong

Pudong

Jing'an

Jing'an

Hongkou

Hongkou

Huangpu

Huangpu

Putuo

Putuo

Pudong

Pudong

Jing'an

Jing'an

Hongkou

Hongkou

Huangpu

Huangpu

Putuo

Putuo

Pudong

Pudong

Download Our Guide

If you’re excited to discover life in Shanghai and want to learn more about the renting process, local lifestyle, useful apps, delivery services, online shopping, nightlife, and dining culture — download our free guide!

Featured Apartments

Explore our handpicked selection of premium residences.

Apartment 7 - Image 1

1BR Apartment|Jing'An|7.800 RMB

Brand new Studio apartment in Tongjia Garden building.

Perfectly located for ECNU Campus (Direct line 13 by Metro, 2 station, 30min). Match with request of Essca Students

Essca Campus ~58 min by Metro Em Lyon Campus ~29 min by Metro Tongji Siping Campus ~53 min by Metro Fudan Handan Campus ~58 min by Metro Shanghai Normal University Xuhui Campus ~55 min by Metro NYU Shanghai ~50 min by Metro

To Clubs/Bars street Walk distance

What People Say

Stories from our esteemed guests.

Léa, 22, France – Essca

Léa

22, France – Essca

"When I arrived in Shanghai, the agency immediately supported us in all our procedures. The apartment that was found for us very quickly was super suited to our needs. Large, spacious, clean and new. There were three of us sharing a flat and the apartment was perfect. In addition to that, the agency showed us the best places to go in Shanghai with the best prices according to our criteria. Thanks to them, I keep these months among the best of my life."
Baptiste, 22, France - ECNU Em Lyon

Baptiste

22, France - ECNU Em Lyon

"It was my first time in China, after lockdown everything had to be done fast. Luckily for me and my friends from France ILO was here for us, not only for the appartement which was found in less than 24h but also for the nightlife and city advices."
Emma, 23, Germany – Intern

Emma

23, Germany – Intern

"The apartment that was found for us very quickly was super suited to our needs. Large, spacious, clean and new. There were three of us sharing a flat and the apartment was perfect. The agency found us an apartment near Wuding Road, a very nice and typical neighborhood with shops nearby. I highly recommend this service thanks to which we spent the best months of our lives 🫶🏼 I had an amazing experience with Le Debut in Shanghai! As an intern, finding the right apartment in such a bustling city seemed daunting, but the team made the process incredibly smooth and enjoyable. From the moment I reached out, they were attentive and understanding of my needs. They showed me a variety of options within my budget and close to my work, making sure every detail was taken care of. What truly sets Le Debut apart is their commitment to making sure students feel at home in Shanghai. I highly recommend Le Debut to any student looking for an apartment in Shanghai. Their professional service, combined with their genuine care for their clients' well-being and social life, makes them the best choice!"
Victor, 23, France – Intern

Victor

23, France – Intern

"I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to « Le Début » real estate agency for their exceptional service in assisting me with finding a wonderful apartment in Shanghai for the past 6 months. From the very beginning, they exhibited professionalism and dedication, ensuring that every detail was meticulously handled. The team at « Le Début » not only provided expert guidance but also went above and beyond to make the entire process smooth and stress-free. I am truly grateful for their expertise and would highly recommend « Le Début » to anyone seeking reliable and top-notch real estate services."
Mikki , China - Representative of “That’s Mandarin” language school

Mikki

China - Representative of “That’s Mandarin” language school

"It has been almost a year since we started cooperating, and I must say, the service has been excellent. They are very responsible: after renting, they help my students settle in, share valuable information, and ensure that my students enjoy their stay. They offer a wide range of options to choose from: no matter what your budget is, they can quickly find a suitable house for you. The contract process is simple and available in both English and Chinese. They respond quickly, and we can communicate via Instagram, WeChat, WhatsApp, or Telegram, which is really great. If you ever need to rent a house, I highly recommend choosing Le Début."
Neal, 22, Germany - Tongji University

Neal

22, Germany - Tongji University

"Ilo and her team provided outstanding support, from regular cleaning services to invaluable advice on getting around Shanghai, including help with SIM cards, metro navigation, and scooter rentals. Their attention to our social life was remarkable, with guest lists and drinks for every party, ensuring we always had a great time. Despite the commute to my university (Tongji University), which was a 30-45 minute ride by metro or scooter, living in Jing'an was the ideal choice. Le Debut's dedication to our comfort and enjoyment made our stay seamless and memorable. I highly recommend them for anyone seeking a fantastic and convenient living experience in Shanghai."
Jade, France – Intern

Jade

France – Intern

"I reached out to the agents Ilo, Linda and Elisa to look for an apartment. They were very helpful in finding the best place possible, making visits and signing a lease easer for foreigners. They have also been helping out in dealing with issues as i live in the apartment. Highly recommend !"
Geri, 33, Hungary - Space Panda

Geri

33, Hungary - Space Panda

"I recently locked down an awesome apartment in Tongji Resident building. The agents Ilo and Elisa are top-notch, making everything easy from visitings; finding the most suitable place; until to signing the lease. The spot itself is spacious, stylish, and in a primo location in mid Jingan, with all the amenities I could ask for. Stoked to call this place home! Highly recommended service!"
Léa, 22, France – Essca

Léa

22, France – Essca

"When I arrived in Shanghai, the agency immediately supported us in all our procedures. The apartment that was found for us very quickly was super suited to our needs. Large, spacious, clean and new. There were three of us sharing a flat and the apartment was perfect. In addition to that, the agency showed us the best places to go in Shanghai with the best prices according to our criteria. Thanks to them, I keep these months among the best of my life."
Baptiste, 22, France - ECNU Em Lyon

Baptiste

22, France - ECNU Em Lyon

"It was my first time in China, after lockdown everything had to be done fast. Luckily for me and my friends from France ILO was here for us, not only for the appartement which was found in less than 24h but also for the nightlife and city advices."
Emma, 23, Germany – Intern

Emma

23, Germany – Intern

"The apartment that was found for us very quickly was super suited to our needs. Large, spacious, clean and new. There were three of us sharing a flat and the apartment was perfect. The agency found us an apartment near Wuding Road, a very nice and typical neighborhood with shops nearby. I highly recommend this service thanks to which we spent the best months of our lives 🫶🏼 I had an amazing experience with Le Debut in Shanghai! As an intern, finding the right apartment in such a bustling city seemed daunting, but the team made the process incredibly smooth and enjoyable. From the moment I reached out, they were attentive and understanding of my needs. They showed me a variety of options within my budget and close to my work, making sure every detail was taken care of. What truly sets Le Debut apart is their commitment to making sure students feel at home in Shanghai. I highly recommend Le Debut to any student looking for an apartment in Shanghai. Their professional service, combined with their genuine care for their clients' well-being and social life, makes them the best choice!"
Victor, 23, France – Intern

Victor

23, France – Intern

"I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to « Le Début » real estate agency for their exceptional service in assisting me with finding a wonderful apartment in Shanghai for the past 6 months. From the very beginning, they exhibited professionalism and dedication, ensuring that every detail was meticulously handled. The team at « Le Début » not only provided expert guidance but also went above and beyond to make the entire process smooth and stress-free. I am truly grateful for their expertise and would highly recommend « Le Début » to anyone seeking reliable and top-notch real estate services."
Mikki , China - Representative of “That’s Mandarin” language school

Mikki

China - Representative of “That’s Mandarin” language school

"It has been almost a year since we started cooperating, and I must say, the service has been excellent. They are very responsible: after renting, they help my students settle in, share valuable information, and ensure that my students enjoy their stay. They offer a wide range of options to choose from: no matter what your budget is, they can quickly find a suitable house for you. The contract process is simple and available in both English and Chinese. They respond quickly, and we can communicate via Instagram, WeChat, WhatsApp, or Telegram, which is really great. If you ever need to rent a house, I highly recommend choosing Le Début."
Neal, 22, Germany - Tongji University

Neal

22, Germany - Tongji University

"Ilo and her team provided outstanding support, from regular cleaning services to invaluable advice on getting around Shanghai, including help with SIM cards, metro navigation, and scooter rentals. Their attention to our social life was remarkable, with guest lists and drinks for every party, ensuring we always had a great time. Despite the commute to my university (Tongji University), which was a 30-45 minute ride by metro or scooter, living in Jing'an was the ideal choice. Le Debut's dedication to our comfort and enjoyment made our stay seamless and memorable. I highly recommend them for anyone seeking a fantastic and convenient living experience in Shanghai."
Jade, France – Intern

Jade

France – Intern

"I reached out to the agents Ilo, Linda and Elisa to look for an apartment. They were very helpful in finding the best place possible, making visits and signing a lease easer for foreigners. They have also been helping out in dealing with issues as i live in the apartment. Highly recommend !"
Geri, 33, Hungary - Space Panda

Geri

33, Hungary - Space Panda

"I recently locked down an awesome apartment in Tongji Resident building. The agents Ilo and Elisa are top-notch, making everything easy from visitings; finding the most suitable place; until to signing the lease. The spot itself is spacious, stylish, and in a primo location in mid Jingan, with all the amenities I could ask for. Stoked to call this place home! Highly recommended service!"
Léa, 22, France – Essca

Léa

22, France – Essca

"When I arrived in Shanghai, the agency immediately supported us in all our procedures. The apartment that was found for us very quickly was super suited to our needs. Large, spacious, clean and new. There were three of us sharing a flat and the apartment was perfect. In addition to that, the agency showed us the best places to go in Shanghai with the best prices according to our criteria. Thanks to them, I keep these months among the best of my life."
Baptiste, 22, France - ECNU Em Lyon

Baptiste

22, France - ECNU Em Lyon

"It was my first time in China, after lockdown everything had to be done fast. Luckily for me and my friends from France ILO was here for us, not only for the appartement which was found in less than 24h but also for the nightlife and city advices."
Emma, 23, Germany – Intern

Emma

23, Germany – Intern

"The apartment that was found for us very quickly was super suited to our needs. Large, spacious, clean and new. There were three of us sharing a flat and the apartment was perfect. The agency found us an apartment near Wuding Road, a very nice and typical neighborhood with shops nearby. I highly recommend this service thanks to which we spent the best months of our lives 🫶🏼 I had an amazing experience with Le Debut in Shanghai! As an intern, finding the right apartment in such a bustling city seemed daunting, but the team made the process incredibly smooth and enjoyable. From the moment I reached out, they were attentive and understanding of my needs. They showed me a variety of options within my budget and close to my work, making sure every detail was taken care of. What truly sets Le Debut apart is their commitment to making sure students feel at home in Shanghai. I highly recommend Le Debut to any student looking for an apartment in Shanghai. Their professional service, combined with their genuine care for their clients' well-being and social life, makes them the best choice!"
Victor, 23, France – Intern

Victor

23, France – Intern

"I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to « Le Début » real estate agency for their exceptional service in assisting me with finding a wonderful apartment in Shanghai for the past 6 months. From the very beginning, they exhibited professionalism and dedication, ensuring that every detail was meticulously handled. The team at « Le Début » not only provided expert guidance but also went above and beyond to make the entire process smooth and stress-free. I am truly grateful for their expertise and would highly recommend « Le Début » to anyone seeking reliable and top-notch real estate services."
Mikki , China - Representative of “That’s Mandarin” language school

Mikki

China - Representative of “That’s Mandarin” language school

"It has been almost a year since we started cooperating, and I must say, the service has been excellent. They are very responsible: after renting, they help my students settle in, share valuable information, and ensure that my students enjoy their stay. They offer a wide range of options to choose from: no matter what your budget is, they can quickly find a suitable house for you. The contract process is simple and available in both English and Chinese. They respond quickly, and we can communicate via Instagram, WeChat, WhatsApp, or Telegram, which is really great. If you ever need to rent a house, I highly recommend choosing Le Début."
Neal, 22, Germany - Tongji University

Neal

22, Germany - Tongji University

"Ilo and her team provided outstanding support, from regular cleaning services to invaluable advice on getting around Shanghai, including help with SIM cards, metro navigation, and scooter rentals. Their attention to our social life was remarkable, with guest lists and drinks for every party, ensuring we always had a great time. Despite the commute to my university (Tongji University), which was a 30-45 minute ride by metro or scooter, living in Jing'an was the ideal choice. Le Debut's dedication to our comfort and enjoyment made our stay seamless and memorable. I highly recommend them for anyone seeking a fantastic and convenient living experience in Shanghai."
Jade, France – Intern

Jade

France – Intern

"I reached out to the agents Ilo, Linda and Elisa to look for an apartment. They were very helpful in finding the best place possible, making visits and signing a lease easer for foreigners. They have also been helping out in dealing with issues as i live in the apartment. Highly recommend !"
Geri, 33, Hungary - Space Panda

Geri

33, Hungary - Space Panda

"I recently locked down an awesome apartment in Tongji Resident building. The agents Ilo and Elisa are top-notch, making everything easy from visitings; finding the most suitable place; until to signing the lease. The spot itself is spacious, stylish, and in a primo location in mid Jingan, with all the amenities I could ask for. Stoked to call this place home! Highly recommended service!"

Meet the Team

The visionaries behind the magic.

Ilona

Ilona

Co-founder of Le Début

Responsible for:Customers support, Sales, Public relations, Mediation.

Contact

INSTAGRAM: @zhitkovalonaWECHAT ID: llonaledebutEMAIL: ledebut.ilona@gmail.com
Elisa

Elisa

Co-founder of Le Début

Responsible for:Real estate management, Customers support and after services, Negotiations. 10 years in the real estate market.

Contact

WECHAT ID: Elisa15221120484WhatsApp: +86 15221120484
Linda

Linda

Partner

Responsible for:Real estate management, Customers support and after services, Apartment Research. 10 years in the real estate market.

Contact

WECHAT ID: Dream_girl_26WhatsApp: +86 13918362460
Antonio

Antonio

Investors Group

Responsible for:Business Development, internship research, partners research.

Get in Touch

We would love to hear from you. Reach out to start your journey.

Email

ledebut.ilona@gmail.com

Phone

+86 159 0092 4914

Instagram

@zhitkovalona

Send us a message