Job Discussion Forums

[maruko]

Hi! I am looking for information on Kwai Fong MTR Station area. What are the advantages and disadvantages of working/living in this area? Any recommendations on the apartment to live in this area? Thanks! I've been searching the net for information but has not been very successful. Any help/information will be much appreciated.

[dandan]

Kwai Fong is OK. Just an ordinary place. There's a shopping mall with all the normal shops and restaurants, a cinema, a theatre/concert hall (Kwai Tsing theatre), a sports ground for bit of 7 a-side at the weekend, a couple of arts organisations in the old industrial area, not much to do of an evening other than restaurants, fairly easy to get to Mongkok, Central etc. or going the other way via the Tung Chung line to the airport or Lantau island for a beach or a bit of hiking.

All in all it's very much like any other place in HK.

[Liam]

I agree with what Dandan has said. Kwai Fong is pretty a standard area. Industrial and grey though.

I travel from Wan Chai to Kwai Fong every morning (via Central/HK and Lai King) and station to station the journey only takes about half an hour. With it being such a short commute from most places, I wouldn't necessarily recommend working and living there. Even just nipping round the shops here on my way home from work I can't avoid being followed round by my students as the kids have not much to do here.

Working in Kwai Fong and living on HK Island helps me to keep work time and spare time separate. That's just my experience though.

[maruko]

Hi dandan and Liam!
Thanks for sharing the information. I've got some idea what the place is like now.
Cheers.

[shmeagain]

Check out www.parkisland.com as a place to stay. They have shuttle buses to the Kwai Fong MTR - around 15 minutes I think and around 25 minutes to Central by ferry.

I have friends who stay there and it seems really nice. Not too expensive either.

[maruko]

Hi Shmeagain!
Thanks for the link. It looks like a self contained, really comfortable
place to live. I wonder how the rent is like for a unit for single???

[shmeagain]

Hi Maruko,


As far as I know they pay around HK$ 7000 for a 2 bedroom on the 6th floor (actually 5th as there isn't a 4th floor in most buildings in HK - same as 13 elsewhere).

There are about 6 est. agents with offices on the island who would be more than willing to show you around - all the major ones Midland, Centaline etc.

Rents are rising though and landlords are probably already spending that money - the economy in HK has apparantly seen the worst and spending power is back - I disagree, but hey what do I know.

If you're not in HK yet - find some agents on the internet and e-mail them to ask for a price. Specify things like seaview - partial or full, garden view, close to the busstop, high floors - all these make a big difference in the price.

Good luck!

[maruko]

Hi Shmeagain,
Thanks for your help again. I will do as advised.
Thanks,

[kalrodd]

Maruko, everyone's telling you to live elsewhere if you work in Kwai Fong. Let me tell you my experience. I worked (NET) in a Kwai Fong secondary school for 6 years, and prior to starting, deliberately sought out a flat nearby so that I could walk to school. The day after we got off the plane, my husband and I went with the English Panel Chair to a local property agent in Kwai Chung Plaza, and within half a day had signed up for a 600 sq ft flat in Kwai Hing- next to Kwai Hing MTR in the Sun Kwai Hing Gardens block. We were happy there for 18 mths until the landlord wanted to sell and we had to move. Went back to the same property agent and got a bigger, nicer flat in Kwai Chung Plaza, right next to Kwai Fong MTR. We were on the 26th floor, paid $10,000 per month, later reduced (with the downturn) to $8500. It was very convenient- 10 mins walk to school, MTR or buses to everywhere, easy shopping, and NOT a problem with students being around. Just quick waves from shy students, or some stopped to exchange brief conversation. Sometimes I even had small groups back at the flat for debate preparation, etc. It is a "local Chinese" area and we had fun trying to buy things like tools for repairs, and odd items, but that was part of the cultural experience. Became quite good at miming, and using basic Cantonese.

From what I could see, Park Island would be inconvenient for travel to Sha Tin and Kwai Fong. Unnecessary inconvenience. That's my 2 cents worth.

[maruko]

Hi Kalrodd,
Thanks for sharing your experience with me. The information is very useful.
Best regards,
Maruko