Job Discussion Forums

lastmanineurope · Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 22 Location: HK

I am considering working in Hong Kong and wondering where to rent an apartment. My job would be based in the New Territories - near Shatin/university area.

I have a few questions - what is Shatin like for an English person to live in? What about Kowloon e.g. Kowloon Tong - is it a long commute to Shatin on the train? How long would it take?

I was looking at the prices of apartments and it looks like Shatin is a bit cheaper than HK island and Kowloon, and this might be ok if I am working in the Shatin area - but is it a decent place to live? Is there an expat community, nightlife, English cinema?

If I lived in Shatin how long would it take to travel to HK island?

Any advice is much appreciated.

munasa · Joined: 17 Apr 2003 Posts: 79 Location: HK

Kowloon Tong is a little closer to "expat" things/activities and not far from Shatin on the KCR.

The whole of HK SAR is not so very big, but, like in all cities where I have lived, people tend to stay close to home, rather than travel across town for work or social activities. I was surprised when someone said to me that the south side of HK island is so far away from the city centres such as Central, Wanchai, Causeway Bay. I live on the south side of the island and consider these places, and the southern tip of Kowloon to be very accessible. It takes 20 to 25 minutes to get to Central, Causeway Bay, and other places on the north of the island. 30 minutes and I'm in Tsim Sha Tsui or Hung Hom. The buses are frequent and reliable.

My personal preference is to be closer to work and have a commute of less than 40 minutes. I know some who commute 90 minutes! That's too tiring for me. If I was working in/near Shatin, I'd live somewhere over there. There are lots of expats in Shatin, Kowloon Tong, Ma On Shan, and other places in the vicinity and it's easy enough to catch the KCR to the south of Kowloon, then across to HK island by MTR, ferry or bus.

I'd suggest staying in temporary accommodation at first (hotel or serviced apartment) and getting to know your way around before deciding where to settle down. We all have different needs and wants.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Shatin and Kowloon TOng are just a mountain apart; the KCR connects the two districts within some 4 minutes. Add to this the time you need to reach the KCR station in either place - both districts are fairly big and you will probably need a bus to make it to the station.
Shatin also is considered a "new town" in the NTs, much cleaner and nicer than Kowloon Tong, which is more industrial (although facotires moved across the border long ago).
If you want to commute to HK Island - for recreational purposes, I suppose - then there is little difference between the two places under review. I would select Shatin for the reasons state above.
You have two options to go to HK Island:
- by KCR to Kowloon (Tsimshatsui); from there you continue g
by MTR or by Star Ferry;
- by KCR to Mongkok, then transfer to the MTR.

There are through buses as well but the trip takes longer.

lastmanineurope · Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 22 Location: HK

What is Mongkok like? I saw a 525 square feet apartment there for HK$ 7500. It looked a bit small. Do you think Shatin would be a better place to live i.e. less crowded and a more pleasant environment?

anninhk · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 284

I live in Mong Kok and my apartment is only 400 sq ft - compact but OK for one person. My apartment when I rented it was brand new and fully furnished so I was happy with the $8000 rent. Also it has a fantastic view.
I find Mong Kok a great place to live because of the ease of access to everywhere. There is the MTR and KCR and lots of buses, but it is busy especially in the main shopping areas but you can usually avoid the crowds by shopping in the morning or using the less busy areas.
I suggest you come and look around before deciding where you want to live as you need to see the place at various times in the day and also find out what the apartment block is like. Mine is quiet but some people have some very noisy neighbours!

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Mongkok is one of the most densely-packed areas - population density and number of businesses are truly astounding! It's about 4 kms north along Nathan Rd. coming from the Kowloon peninsual. It can be ideal for some, if your workplaces are in the vicinity; to me it was claustrophobic! (I didn't live there but I visited it quite often). The availability of goods may be a plus point; on the other hand it's not where most expats live!

foster · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 485 Location: Honkers, SARS

I live in Shatin and I love it. Slightly fresher air and quieter than other places. Can get to the island in about 45 mintues if the trains are running with good connections.

Smoog · Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 137 Location: Hong Kong

I used to live in MongKok and teach in ShaTin. All things considered, I would choose the other way round. It's pretty easy to get to HK from ShaTin. There's buses that go straight there, along with the KCR/MTR.
I now live on Lamma and it takes 35 minutes to get from Central to ShaTin Wai via MTR/KCR/MaOnShan light rail. It'd take just under 30 mins Central - ShaTin.
Which, for HK, is nothing.
Going back to Central I can take a bus that goes right past my school. It takes about 45 - 60min, depending on traffic. Biggest advantage is that I don't have to change trains or stand the whole way.
Some great walks/hikes around ShaTin, so I'd recommend it over MK (which I've been told literally means 'noisy corner', but don't hold me to that). Honest, you'll be lucky to get one good night's sleep in 10 there. It has a population density of something like 55000 p/sq km. And most of them are out shopping 24/7 (felt like it anyhow).
Like te old cliche goes - nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there.

hkteach · Joined: 29 May 2005 Posts: 202 Location: Hong Kong

I teach in Hong Kong. I've lived in Shatin when I first arrived - stayed in Royal Park Hotel (nice big hotel room with kitchenette) for a month or so till I found my feet.
The shopping in Shatin is very good and there are lots of restaurants in the main shopping mall and along the streets, but there is no nightlife to speak of. There was one bar but not the sort of place you'd like so after a brief look, I decided I wouldn't go in.
Decent apartments (good size and with good facilities - pool, gym etc) are expensive. Shatin is more like a suburb or small country town in UK or Oz.
I moved up the road to Ma On Shan and stayed at an apartment hotel - lots of expats there (mainly teachers) One main shopping plaza and enough restaurants....... also community pool and very nice park. I hated the commute to Central but that was before the new KCR extension came in. But Ma On Shan is a bit far away from the things you might like to do and you'd find yourself travelling a lot for entertainment.