Job Discussion Forums

Lao Wai · Joined: 25 Mar 2006 Posts: 20

Hi Everyone,

I left Hong Kong in 2007. At that time, I was paying about 6000 HKD a month for a decent two bedroom flat in Shatin (my building was attached to Wai Wah Centre). I'm just curious as to how much rent has increased over the years. I am considering taking a leave of absence from my current position and heading to Hong Kong again. How about the cost for a flat closer to Central? Any replies would be appreciated.

Thanks!

sistercream · Joined: 18 Dec 2010 Posts: 497 Location: Pearl River Delta

Just to start the ball rolling ...

I'm not so familiar with current prices "further in", so hope someone else can help with that. At present, the going rate for bog-standard 2br places in properly managed buildings around Tuen Mun town centre seems to be in the 8 - 9K bracket.

I've heard people recommend sites like gohome and squarefoot for checking current prices, but I've never tried them.

ironopolis · Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 379

First up, I don't live in HK and never have done, so you should definitely take what I say with a pillar of salt or several, if indeed you bother to ready further at all. But you don't seem to be getting much input here, OP, so I thought I'd chip in with some perhaps vaguely relevant observations.

Perilla · Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 792 Location: Hong Kong

Rents have gone up everywhere in HK over the last few years. On Lamma island they have doubled, and now a small flat (350 sq ft) will, on average, cost you around 5-7K per month, while a 700 sq ft flat (irrespective of the number of bedrooms) will usually set you back at least 10K, rising to around 16K for a good location near the ferry pier (almost everything on Lamma is 350 or 700 sq ft). However, if you're lucky it's still possible to find places at the old prices, perhaps because landlords live overseas or simply haven't bothered to put their prices up.

Close/r to Central I doubt they will be any cheaper.

sarah28f · Joined: 26 Jun 2013 Posts: 6 Location: Hong Kong

Where are you all finding these cheap flats?

I live in the New Territories and every building around me is no cheaper than 10k for a studio! I'm in a tiny two bedroom (basically a studio attached to two closet sized rooms -- the "master bedroom" is so small that only a double bed can fit. No night table, no wardrobe. The wardrobe is in the hallway. Anyway, we pay 12k for this flat. I would LOVE to find these 8k flats people talk about. I saw a very old building in our apartment search, also in this area, with mold all over the place and hardly any windows, and they wanted 11k for it!

All this is to say that moving out to the NT doesn't necessarily mean your rent is cheaper.

sistercream · Joined: 18 Dec 2010 Posts: 497 Location: Pearl River Delta

As I wrote, the 8 - 9K figure is for Tuen Mun town centre: the eponymous housing development, Kam Wah, Trend Plaza, Waldorf Garden, New City. I'm sure you can spend a lot more for the same space (but with a fancy clubhouse instead of just a podium garden/ recreation area) at the new development just above the MTR station, or you can spend less than the Town Centre for the same flats a bit further out that *only* have LRT/ bus access.

Then there are all the thousands of village houses Very Happy

It's easy, when one first moves here, to get suckered into living in a "nice" place/ a short walk to work (I know I was) by listening to those with vested interests or those who are only slightly less naive than oneself ... put it down to experience, keep learning your own way around, and in the meantime, have a look at Ikea's flagship store in Shatin to see how locals fit their whole families into <400' sq. and get a few ideas for yourself Wink

oxi · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 347 Location: elsewhere

I just got a new landlord. Rent went from $10500 to $12000. Long story short - I was a bit miffed, but after looking around, turns out it's still under market value.

It's a 300sq.ft. studio next to Jordan mtr with a 800sq.ft. terrace - so quite rare. Other flats currently advertised for rent in the same building, without terrace, 11-13K.

Had a look on gohome.com for 300-400sq.ft. flats from TST to Mongkok. Usually 12-15K. A very few select places are under 10K but don't look in good shape. I would go look if I really needed, but I reckon I'll stick with what I've got.

Anyway, TST-Mongkok not too far from Central, and I would think cheaper.

Perilla · Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 792 Location: Hong Kong

oxi · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 347 Location: elsewhere

Perilla · Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 792 Location: Hong Kong

oxi · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 347 Location: elsewhere

Cheers for the info, Perilla.

I'll be staying in my shoebox in Jordan a little while longer anyway. I'm not ready for the Lamma commute yet.