It's so hard to "just" be middle class in Shanghai because:

1. Commercially, nobody targets the middle class (the push argument). Where can I go for middle-of-the-road clothes? Only Uniqlo, and even they're getting pricey and fashionable.
2. Such a large part of the expat community is rich. I'm looking for a good baby carrier, and my expat network is suggesting ones imported from Japan, or having multiple carriers for the different age stages.
3. Shanghai is a city focused on money (the pull argument). The culture is not one that encourages responsible spending, or quality of life over making money.

That's my grumpy-old-man post for the day.