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Best areas to rent as a foreigner,

 
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amnail



Joined: 27 Jun 2016
Posts: 2
Location: Morocco

PostPosted: Mon Jul 04, 2016 3:53 pm    Post subject: Best areas to rent as a foreigner, Reply with quote

I am going to Hong Kong next week to teach. I have never been there before, so I was wondering if anyone could advise me on the best areas to rent for about 8K or less! (I will earn about 21K)
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Jmbf



Joined: 29 Jun 2014
Posts: 663

PostPosted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 2:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wow, tons of variables to consider. Expats live all over Hong Kong. Some expats tend to congregate in the Mid-levels, Central, Wan Chai and Discovery Bay but even then the % of westerns vs locals is quite insignificant (apart from DB). Pricing in these areas is also quite high, probably out of your budget for anything other than a cage home.

Ask yourself - what are your priorities?

1. Convenience for work? (how much of a commute can you handle?)
2. Access to western shops / bars / restaurants?
3. Preference for space? (tiny studio, 1 bed apartment, more?)
4. Preference for estate facilities (swimming pool, gym, clubhouse etc)
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Kowloon



Joined: 11 Jan 2016
Posts: 133

PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2016 8:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I guess you will be looking for a flat share of some sort? They are generally around 7-8k per month anyway. Depends on where you will be teaching
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Spelunker



Joined: 03 Nov 2013
Posts: 392

PostPosted: Tue Jul 12, 2016 12:03 pm    Post subject: re: accomodation is a problem in HK Reply with quote

A bachelor room can go for anything from 4-5000 hkd a month, but it will be literally just that....a room. A british guy I knew was paying 3,000 hkd to a vulture of a landlord who was a HK woman, and who had his flat (room) robbed once. It was in a very seedy area tho Embarassed

I paid 4,000 a month for a bedroom with small shower room (too small to turn around!), but no bills and free high speed internet, and right in between two mtr station exits, 7/11s, western style supermarkets all downstairs and outside....location wise could not be beaten. The higher end will get you nicer flats, but I seen one that was 20,000 a month in the mid levels, and it was still shoeboxy, but nice. I suppose you get what you pay for.....outlying islands will be cheaper tho, thats for sure.
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RedLightning



Joined: 08 Aug 2015
Posts: 137
Location: United States

PostPosted: Mon Jul 18, 2016 6:42 am    Post subject: Re: re: accomodation is a problem in HK Reply with quote

Spelunker wrote:
A bachelor room can go for anything from 4-5000 hkd a month, but it will be literally just that....a room. A british guy I knew was paying 3,000 hkd to a vulture of a landlord who was a HK woman, and who had his flat (room) robbed once. It was in a very seedy area tho Embarassed

I paid 4,000 a month for a bedroom with small shower room (too small to turn around!), but no bills and free high speed internet, and right in between two mtr station exits, 7/11s, western style supermarkets all downstairs and outside....location wise could not be beaten. The higher end will get you nicer flats, but I seen one that was 20,000 a month in the mid levels, and it was still shoeboxy, but nice. I suppose you get what you pay for.....outlying islands will be cheaper tho, thats for sure.


How did you go about finding your apartment?
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Jmbf



Joined: 29 Jun 2014
Posts: 663

PostPosted: Mon Jul 18, 2016 9:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Easy! Canvas the areas you are interested in. Once you have found an area you like, approach some of the real estate agents (they are everywhere, usually street side G/F) and give them your requirements. They will show you around apartments until you find one you like.
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RedLightning



Joined: 08 Aug 2015
Posts: 137
Location: United States

PostPosted: Mon Jul 18, 2016 2:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jmbf wrote:
Easy! Canvas the areas you are interested in. Once you have found an area you like, approach some of the real estate agents (they are everywhere, usually street side G/F) and give them your requirements. They will show you around apartments until you find one you like.


I appreciate it
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Spelunker



Joined: 03 Nov 2013
Posts: 392

PostPosted: Mon Jul 18, 2016 3:51 pm    Post subject: re: as jbmf said... Reply with quote

I saw an advert in an estate agents window that had some english on it, but I did not rent that one. Instead I stayed in a long term stay in a guesthouse, but it was NOT the usual guesthouse style rooms, they were small, but a bit more spacious, and cleaned more regularly/thoroughly. Also, word of month, can be another source. Keep looking and you will find, good luck.
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Jmbf



Joined: 29 Jun 2014
Posts: 663

PostPosted: Tue Jul 19, 2016 8:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Rents are down compared with last year and the general market outlook isn't that great so don't forget to bargain!
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travelbuguk



Joined: 02 Nov 2010
Posts: 29
Location: UK

PostPosted: Tue Aug 02, 2016 7:11 pm    Post subject: Re: Best areas to rent as a foreigner, Reply with quote

amnail wrote:
I am going to Hong Kong next week to teach. I have never been there before, so I was wondering if anyone could advise me on the best areas to rent for about 8K or less! (I will earn about 21K)


How did you get on with your search? Serviced apartments are also an option, on Kowloon side they can be affordable.
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amnail



Joined: 27 Jun 2016
Posts: 2
Location: Morocco

PostPosted: Tue Aug 02, 2016 9:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks, Folks, for your replies. I did finally rent a small (very small) studio in Causway Bay for $6800, not including bills or internet.

I am quite happy with it since it is right in the center of things! Still trying to get my internet set up. They say they will come on Sunday and it will cost $385 a month, which includes a few tv channels.
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