Area to live in Shanghai that is around 3000-4000 per month for 2 people

Me and my roomie live near Sijing because the rent was really cheap but now are regretting it. The trains are always…like always crowded, to the point where people bring stools and sit on the floor. It’s super far from places we have to be and the environment is not very well maintained.

I think I’m ready to leave line 9 all together.

I heard line 3 is always empty, line 15 is emptier from my experience and newer. People have recommended jiading as well…but i dont know if you could even call it Shanghai at that point

But i dont know the Shanghai housing market that well I just want to live in a place where I don’t have to always fight people to stand in the train. Somewhere clean and close to the metro

Also another reason for moving is that my apartment has really horrible plumbing, no bathroom ventilation, no convenient drying area so our clothes are musty all the time and extortionate electricity/water fees. Yes save on money but lose on quality of life (which is honestly a given lol)

Is our budget too low? Or with my budget I’m asking for too much? Or do we need to bump it up a bit to get some place livable? All we need really is two rooms, bathroom (with proper ventilation) and a balcony with direct sunlight tbh.

Oh and we still have to be somewhat in the city because we work in the center and attend university:D