Foreigners flock to growing metropolis

Tianjin's various attraction, both modern and traditional. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Hart said he loves to take friends to places with an exotic atmosphere, such as Minyuan Stadium, Wudadao (or Five Avenues) and Italian-style Street, because "being there makes me feel that I'm back in my hometown and making new friends."

He added that he is satisfied with both the convenience of life and his company's continuous growth in recent years. Jones Lang LaSalle's Tianjin branch provides the same services as its Shanghai and Beijing counterparts, including property management, of ce space leasing, retail and industrial warehousing, and counseling. Last year, it began helping Chinese citizens that wanted to buy properties in foreign countries.

"Few potential clients understood what are the professional services in the real estate industry in the first years and the company was not well known to locals until our team cooperated with some Tianjin property developers, tenants and the government," Hart said. "We were really very lucky to have participated in some famous projects, such as the Jinhui Plaza and the Kerry Center. These projects all helped us grow."