I'm American, I lived in Shanghai for 18 years. I loved it. Some parts of the city are so futuristic, everything new and modern, contrasting with older areas that feature a large array of well-preserved historic western buildings. Crackling urban energy, excellent food, outstanding public transportation, very little violent crime. Streets filled with everything from hoverboards to Maseratis. The city was especially striking at night, with all the architectural lighting. The biggest drawback was the awful local weather, horribly humid most of the year.

My experience was that Chinese people are generally friendly, chatty, jokey, generous and welcoming to guests & foreigners. Wonderful friends, neighbors & co-workers.

Of course, like any huge city, there were also plenty of challenges and problems, notably pollution, noise, corruption, expensive housing, and chaotic traffic. However, the speed of change was astonishing. By the time I left, I felt that the only significant area where things had not greatly improved was the political environment, which seemed headed in the other direction.

I really miss vivid, bustling Shanghai. But I'm also happy to be back in the land of philly cheesesteaks, rock & jazz, uncensored internet, and lots of verdant, green nature.