Job Discussion Forums

[FloridaTEFL]

Hi all....
What is a reasonable price one should expect to pay for a flat in Saigon or HCMC? I'm referring mostly to studio or 1 bedroom flats. Is there a specific range? And does it go up much if you want something like...air conditioning?
Thanks!!!

[toiyeuthitmeo]

Give a go with the search function on this forum, this is a frequent topic and has been brought up in the last few months. Or just scroll down the posts. But I'll indulge the question nonetheless.

1) Saigon is HCMC, though you probably know that. I hope.

2) HCMC is made up of many districts which will vary in rental pricing rather considerably. Most teachers prefer to live in the "inner" disctricts which include 1, 3, and to some extent 10, 5, and Phu Nhuan. District 1 is the most expensive of these, being the city center. Many teachers also like to live in 7, which also includes a sub-area called Phu My Hung. It is an expat-heavy area with high rise flats, posh shopping, wider streets, clean, etc, and is also at the pricey end. District 2 contains another fancy area, usually beyond the means of the average teacher. The benefits of the inner districts are proximity to Western conveniences and activities, as well as proximity to lots of schools. The outter disctricts will see rental prices drop noticeably, and can present challenges for the expat resident. A long commute in city traffic is not for everyone, nor is an area where English is not a strength of the local business owners. So where do you want to live?

3) HCMC features all range of flats. High rise? Luxury high rise? Modern or older building? Serviced? Unserviced? Furnished? Unfurnished? Room above a local business? Room in a house with locals? Room in a house with expats? Room in a hotel? Quiet area? Security? All of these will affect the price and expenses.

4) For flats, sharing is sometimes a great help in terms of upping quality of location and the residence itself. There are lots of multi-bedroom flats as they were built to be family-inhabited. Two or three bedroom flats with en suite bathrooms in one or more bedrooms are common. The quality jump from a $300 one bedroom flat to an $800 two or three bedroom flat is usually quite noticeable. So are you willing to share? It's not uncommon at all for expats, even those newly or not at all acquainted, to be seeking sharing deals.

5) HCMC landlords and rental agencies are by and large tricky to deal with. Effort and time you put into searching, bargaining, and negotiating (walking away as the case often is) can greatly affect how much you pay. The prices are unreasonably inflated as a general rule, and expectations of security deposit are also frequently unreasonable (like 3 months cash in advance, and it's up to fate if you ever see that back). So how much effort are you willing to put into getting a fair (or the least unfair) deal? More than a few people just give up and pay too much rather than go through the hassle. More than a few people put aside their desire to live alone because moving into a shared house or flat where some other expat has already ironed out many of the tricky things can be worth its hardship saved.

6) As you can see it's all very relative and variable and it seems you have some considerable decisions and research ahead of you. Speaking very generally and drawing on non-scientific anecdotal figures from friends and colleagues in the City, I can give you some vague numbers. Around $200 USD / month is the lowest end and is not easy to find. And that's going to be very minimal in terms of ammenities in most cases, and probably a room in a house with private bathroom and shared kitchen or just a hot plate in the room. $200-$300/month can also get you a decent monthly hotel, which will usually have air con, cable TV, wifi, and housekeeping. This same price range will usually get you into a decent-to-excellent shared house or flat. Not a bad place to start at all, actually. $300-$500 will have more options for solo-living Western-ish flats, some in modern high rise buildings with passable furnishing and ammenities, usually nicer the more you pay. Above $500 and you have lots of choices in some of the arguably "nicer" buildings in "nicer" parts of town.

7) And finally, your own financial capabilities and status are a major factor. Will you have a set salary to depend on? Do you have savings or other money you can count on to tap into? Or will you, like many, be at the will of whatever schools you can cobble enough hours together from, whenever they might have classes available or feel like treating you fairly? Signing a year lease is pretty common, with a hefty deposit.

[FloridaTEFL]

Thank you for taking the time to reply and so thoroughly!
I can see there is a LOT to consider and that it becomes more complicated just trying to get a fair deal. I was hoping not to spend more than 400 a month so at least it's encouraging that it's in the realm of possibility for a decent place - as long as I'm not insistent on being in the best district. Possibly paying 3 months worth of deposit is frustrating though...and not knowing if I'll get it back.
I guess I'll have to rely on word of mouth and a lot of negotiating. But this gives me a very clear picture of the situation.
Thank you very much!!

[toiyeuthitmeo]

No problem. You'll for sure find something in the $400 range, even in district 1, but there it probably won't be a nice flat in a building. Stay in a hotel as long as you need, as they do not require deposit and $200-$400 will give you lots of great options for hotels with air con, wifi, housekeeping, etc. You'll be dining out for every meal but that is not much more expensive than cooking at home and will be cause to experience more of the city and culture. You should still bargain with the hotel a little, as you should get some discount from the nightly rate for staying a month. This way you can take the needed time to do a careful search for a flat, get to know people and offers for any sharing deals, and also decide which part of the city suits you best. Remember when dealing with rental agents to be firm, don't hesitate to walk away from a potential deal, make counter-offers, and try other bargaining tactics. One thing I've heard of working, for example, is that if the landlord demands three month deposit, you should make demands for lower monthly rent, or for new or additional furnishings, appliances, etc. If the rent seems too high, you can demand that you pay no "service fees" as flat buildings often have, or demand that the landlord pays certain bills, or of course just propose a lower rent, as they almost all are inflated beyond reason. Good luck.

[LarueLarry]

I second what "catlover" said about staying in a hotel as long as you need or want. Get to know the city and where you might want to live before committing. It's difficult, atleast where I live, to find a month to month option in a house or apartment, and the decision shouldn't be taken lightly if you're paying months in advance.

It drives me crazy to pay months in advance. The irony is that a lot of employers hold your wages for a time, but you're made to pay rent far in advance. Of course, Viets are subject to these same practices, but seem to challenge it less.

[ExpatLuke]

[toiyeuthitmeo]

The name is totally a joke, BTW. I thought it was clever when I learned my first bits of Vietnamese. Strangely enough it's one of the few "taboo" dishes I've managed to dodge in my years in VN. Turtle innards? Check. Uncooked blood soup? Check. Duck embryo? Check (and delicious!). Field mouse? Check. Rooster *beep*? Check, or at least I was told so. I rarely make it up north, where aparently Pus Pus is a more common menu feature. Sorry to derail the thread.

[TRH]

[I'm With Stupid]

It's not strictly speaking 3 months deposit. It's 2 months deposit and the first month's rent. I don't see that as typically unusual. Try Japan, where you have to give this, plus key money (another month's rent, non refundable), and pretty much all of your deposit money will be used getting professional cleaners in after you move out, leaving you with what's left.

I've heard about a few landlords trying to screw people out of part of their deposit, but I've never actually heard of anyone not getting their deposit back yet.

And in my experience, landlords are usually pretty receptive to buying things for you, as long as you're signing a longer contract (I've had new mattresses, aircon installed, new cupboards and wardrobes). Obviously the longer the contract, the more likely they are to buy expensive stuff for you.