01Home base
Raising children in Shenzhen
Paperwork, routines, language, caregivers and support networks.
Open guide →On this page12 topics
Shenzhen for Families.
A big city. A workable family life.
Start with school, commute and healthcare — then find the home that fits.
before the lease.Shenzhen waterfront · editorial illustration
5 practical guidesFor everyday decisions
Local experienceBy Giovanni
Official sources linkedConfirm with providers
Reviewed Oct 2026School facts checked separately
Based in ShenzhenGiovanni · here since 2018
Where is your family now?
Get a practical starting plan based on your situation.
Your answers stay on this page until you choose “Save plan in this browser”.The five decisions, in the right order.
A practical framework to help you build a happy, stable family life in Shenzhen.
02Education
International schools
Eligibility, curriculum, language support, total cost and the school-run commute.
Open guide →03Where to live
Family neighbourhoods
Shekou, Nanshan, Futian, Qianhai and Longhua through a family lens.
Open guide →04Health plan
Healthcare for families
Paediatric care, emergencies, vaccinations, insurance and bilingual support.
Open guide →05Time together
Activities with children
Choose by age, weather, energy and travel time.
Open guide →Family planning dashboard
Keep track of your plan. Save it in this browser when you are ready.
0%
Plan progress0 of 20 tasksOpen checklist ↓Household profile
Create your plan above to see your household priorities here.
Your 20-step family checklist
Choose school and home together.
Find the right school and neighbourhood, then test the real commute.
School areasExplore the neighbourhoods
Representative area centres, not school catchment boundaries. Select an area to filter schools.School shortlist
Shekou International School
shekou · IB
2026–27 tuition: ¥190,000–329,900 per year. Bus, meals and other charges may be separate.
Check admissions ↗QSI International School of Shenzhen
shekou · AMERICAN / IB
2026–27 tuition: ¥140,400–255,600 per year. Registration, bus, lunch and other charges are separate.
Check admissions ↗Shenzhen American International School
shekou · AMERICAN / IB
2026–27 tuition: ¥148,000–278,000 per year. Application, development and other charges are additional.
Check admissions ↗BASIS International School Shenzhen
shekou · AMERICAN
Current official Shenzhen tuition was not verified. Request the full written schedule from admissions.
Check admissions ↗Shen Wai International School
nanshan · IB
Current official tuition was not verified. Ask admissions for tuition and all additional charges.
Check admissions ↗International School of Nanshan Shenzhen
nanshan · IB / CANADIAN
2026–27 new-student tuition: ¥219,000–274,000 per year. Application, transport, meals and other charges may be separate.
Check admissions ↗Harrow International School Shenzhen Qianhai
qianhai · BRITISH
2026–27 tuition: ¥291,400–372,900 per year. Boarding, assessment, deposits and other charges are separate.
Check admissions ↗Merchiston International School Shenzhen
longhua · BRITISH
The official 2026–27 fee chart is image-based. Request an accessible full written schedule; no amount is estimated here.
Check admissions ↗A representative shortlist, not all Shenzhen schools. Eligibility, language support and campus allocation need confirmation with admissions. Published fees are labelled by their academic year.
Family neighbourhoods at a glance.
Compare your school run, working week and everyday needs.
Shekou
Good to explore: Waterfront walks and an established international community, with several school campuses nearby.
Check first: Check the actual campus and work commute; crossing the city can be demanding.
Explore area →
Nanshan
Good to explore: Technology offices, universities and bayfront parks across a large and varied district.
Check first: Houhai, Xili and Nantou are very different; choose an exact neighbourhood and test the school run.
Explore area →
Futian
Good to explore: A central base for offices, shopping, civic spaces and transport connections.
Check first: Central convenience can bring busier streets and compact homes; verify the chosen school route.
Explore area →
Qianhai
Good to explore: Newer towers, business districts and waterfront parks in the western core guide area.
Check first: Everyday services and construction vary by block; visit the exact building at different times.
Explore area →
Longhua
Good to explore: Northern neighbourhoods and Shenzhen North rail connections, with varied family housing options.
Check first: Minzhi, Hongshan and Dalang have different routes; distance to the exact campus matters.
Explore area →Build one secure family file
IdentityPassports, visa / residence documents, relationship documents and address registration.
EducationReports, curriculum history, support assessments and records requested by the school.
HealthAllergies, medicines, vaccination history, insurance contacts and emergency plan.
Daily lifeSchool and caregiver contacts, bilingual home address, pickup permissions and a meeting point.
Keep actual documents in a secure place. This planner does not collect or store document files.
Common questions before you commit
Should we sign a lease before choosing a school?
Confirm eligibility, campus, available places and your school run first. Temporary accommodation can give you time to test the routine.
Does the school shortlist confirm eligibility?
No. School type, documents, age, support needs and available places matter. Check your exact family circumstances with admissions.
Does the budget describe an average family?
It is an editable planning example. Enter your own quotes and include deposits, relocation, flights and school charges that may fall outside monthly spending.
Where is my saved plan kept?
Only in the browser where you click Save plan. Anyone using that browser profile may be able to view it. Clear the saved plan when you no longer need it.
Need someone to turn the five guides into one landing plan?
Get personal advice based on your family, timeline and budget.
Your Shenzhen Family Checklist
LifeShenzhen · lifeshenzhen.com/families/ · Reviewed 10 October 2026
Before You Fly
- ☐ Check each child’s school eligibility and available year-group places
- ☐ Confirm visas and residence documents for every family member
- ☐ Gather passports, school reports and vaccination records securely
- ☐ Build a full budget including school extras and housing deposits
Arrival Week
- ☐ Use a temporary home while checking schools and neighbourhoods
- ☐ Complete accommodation registration for the applicable stay
- ☐ Set up a working phone and practical everyday payment method
- ☐ Save your bilingual address, emergency route and key contacts
First Month
- ☐ Test the real morning school run and the work commute
- ☐ Check each child’s insurance cover and direct-billing arrangements
- ☐ Inspect lifts, windows, damp, noise and the written rental terms
- ☐ Arrange a professional review of vaccination and health records
School Term
- ☐ Confirm the written school offer, campus and full fee schedule
- ☐ Confirm school-bus stops, pickup times and transport charges
- ☐ Share emergency contacts and relevant care needs with the school
- ☐ Agree a workable routine for school, work, meals and rest
Settled Routine
- ☐ Pair one outdoor family activity with a rainy-day alternative
- ☐ Build a local parent, caregiver and support network
- ☐ Review the budget, school run and family workload together
- ☐ Track passport, residence, insurance and school renewal dates
Confirm requirements and appointments with schools, healthcare providers and the handling authorities. Keep copies of the current information you use.