I agree with the previous poster about the school where you're teaching influencing your choice of where to live. Xujing was home for me from 2007 to 2012. It changed a lot during that time. All of those highways that circle the area now didn't exist back then. The subway only went as far as the Hongqiao airport and the massive convention center wasn't even started yet. If your school offers a bus, which most do, then ask for the routes and try to rent no more than twenty minutes away from the school. Depending on your budget, you can save a lot or spend a lot for a fancy, modern apartment. I chose to live in a local Chinese compound and found my apartment was huge for what I was paying. Can't remember the exact price, but it was half of what friends paid in expat focused compounds. Ask your school for a few contacts of current teachers to ask them where they're living. If they know of someone, either expat or local, who has an apartment to rent, it's much cheaper to go through them than any kind of rental agency.

The suburbs of Shanghai can be very isolating. Hopping in a taxi for a 45 minute ride downtown isn't always an attractive escape option. I lived for three years downtown and commuted out to Xujing. Absolutely hated the commute, but loved living in the heart of the city - except during the winter. Shanghai is a great walking city. You'll probably spend many of your first weekends checking out the different areas. If you're into cycling, there's a bike path from Xujing all the way into the city. Sadly, shopping is the most prominent activity downtown, but if you love to eat your money goes far. My point here is that living along subway Line 2 is a great option, especially with it ending in Xujing.

I echo the safety of Shanghai. Obviously, if you make it easy for someone to swipe your laptop they will, but your personal safety is only at risk when you ride in the front seat of a taxi.

I've been teaching overseas now for ten years and don't have any plans to return stateside. Living, teaching, and exploring Asia has been a fantastic adventure.

Feel free to ask more questions about the area.