Job Discussion Forums

jb0072009 · Joined: 26 Feb 2009 Posts: 127 Location: Saigon

Well fate has struck me again. I got notice from boss that he is moving me up to Hanoi next week to work. Those of you who now live in Hanoi can you recommend good areas to find apartment? I need 2 bedroom furnished willing to spend up to 10 million/month. I checked Craigslist and all they have are Saigon apts. Other websites have ridiculous high rent like $1000 to $1500. I would like something like District 7 in Saigon. Have wife so do not care if that close to action areas. Thanks

MattMandible · Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 4:12 pm Post subject:

I'm moving to Hanoi in August. Lots of people really rate this website:

http://newhanoian.xemzi.com/

http://newhanoian.xemzi.com/en/propertylisting/home

Good luck

jb0072009 · Joined: 26 Feb 2009 Posts: 127 Location: Saigon

Thanks. Dam those are some high rents compared to Saigon, hopefully someone else has places that have more than 2 apartments with 2 bedrooms for $500/MONTH listed. 1 bedrooms for $500 is very high in Saigon, 2 bedrooms are the norm at that price

anubistaima · Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Posts: 110 Location: Thailand

You'll have a hard time finding something for under $500. Once you're in Hanoi, you can walk around until you find a place that fits, but no real estate will help you find anything over the internet for less than $800 or so. Once you're here, you can negotiate. At a distance? Not a chance. The places that rent really cheap apartments don't advertise online. Even here, though, you won't find a lot of options for under $500 unless you don't mind living out in the boonies (far, dirty, dusty areas).

snollygoster · Joined: 04 Jun 2009 Posts: 478

I m moving out of a super 4 bedroom house in Cau Giay area in early August. Great location great land lady. Can be used as two apartments if you wish, fully furnished etc- $650 month.
PM me if you want more details.
The landlady is so great I just want to help her find suitable tenants.

jb0072009 · Joined: 26 Feb 2009 Posts: 127 Location: Saigon

BenE · Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Posts: 321

That area isn't so popular for tourists.
I'd recommend you negotiate with people when you get here and ask around. You might have to use a Vietnamese website and negotiate with the landlord about the extra charge as you are a foreigner.

Check out www.muaban.net.

anubistaima · Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Posts: 110 Location: Thailand

Well, Hoan Kiem and Tay Ho are the nice areas of the city, but you won't find anything there for 10 millions. You might find something for around 10 million somewhere else if you're willing to walk and walk and walk. When I lived in Hanoi, the places I was shown that were under 600 USD were just sad.

BenE · Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Posts: 321

mark_in_saigon · Joined: 20 Sep 2009 Posts: 837

however, it seems that the site is primarily for the micromarket of English speakers who earn larger incomes. It is very unusual to find mid price or low price rents in CL in VN. I can tell you that in HCMC the average rent noted on CL is upwards of $800 or so, yet one can find nice enough apartments for less than 1/3 of that price. But, it is not easy to find that price point on CL. Take a look at the help wanted scene on VN CL, or the personals. Almost nothing there. The apartment/house rentals listed present a very distorted view of the true market. Tons of multiple listings for the same properties also. Countless examples of that. You may eventually find something reasonable using the site, but it is probably not the best source out there at this time. Don't let those high prices fool you into thinking that is all that is available. If anyone needs a place in 3 in HCMC, this building stays about half full, and has units for $300 and less with electricity paid. Modern building, the units are not large, but they are plenty nice and safe and clean.

jb0072009 · Joined: 26 Feb 2009 Posts: 127 Location: Saigon

Well I arrive in Hanoi tommorrow. I found a real good freight company that charges only 12000 VND/kg for air shipment to Hanoi including pickup and delivery. I had like 350kg shipped, crated for like 4.8 million.Train is cheaper but much more of a hassle. Trucks were ridiculously expensive. Thanks for your comments, I will look around after my motorbike gets there on Friday and enlist the aid of a Viet

silvery · Joined: 16 Jul 2010 Posts: 27

Hello, snollygoster. I haven't made enough posts to send you a private message but I may be interested in your apartment. I hope you will be able to send me a message with an email address or further information.

If anyone else can help with leads for accommodation in Hanoi, I'd be very grateful.

Looking for something in the $600 - $800 range approx., central or very close to transport, secure, furnished or semi furnished, good internet & reliable electricity and as quiet and pleasant as possible Smile

-- either an apartment or townhouse for 2 people + small pet.

Also looking for accommodation on arrival -- convenience probably more important than cost for a few weeks. Must accept our small pet and be secure. Any hotels or serviced apartments to recommend?

Thanks.

jb0072009 · Joined: 26 Feb 2009 Posts: 127 Location: Saigon

Well I found an apt in Cau Giay district. Hanoi is def more expensive than Saigon. You pretty much have to use an agent or go to the newhanoian website as noted. There are many agents and some will ignore you if you arent a big spender. The rents in Ba Dinh and Tay Ho are more than Cau Giay and also those areas are more congested with traffic (although Tay Ho can be very nice depending on area). 2 bedrooms I saw went from $550 for small dumps to over $1000 for nice. I found a nice 100 m2 on 16th floor (top) by the lake and pool for $600. Also the rents on houses are about the same as apt, opposite of Saigon

anubistaima · Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Posts: 110 Location: Thailand

Yeah, like I mentioned. Basically impossible to find something under $500 in Hanoi unless you're willing to give up a good number of things.

Silvery -- Don't rent anything long-term over the internet if you have a pet. You'll need to make sure the house has a good fence/gate so your dog is safe. I know of FOUR expats who got their dogs/cats stolen in Hanoi, so be paranoid if you have to. Before I got to Hanoi, I rented a serviced apartment for a month. I can look up the name if you want, but it was really expensive (1400 USD). I ended up with that because I couldn't find any other place (short-term) that would allow my dog.

Sorry, there's no such thing as realiable electricity in Hanoi. Except for a few sections in Hoan Kiem, EVERYBODY gets electricity cuts. I lived in a nice area in Tay Ho and I suffered the heat/no electricity thing for a month. Second month, I bought a generator. Some fancy/expensive apartment buildings might have their own generators.

silvery · Joined: 16 Jul 2010 Posts: 27

Thanks for your comments, anubistaima.

The pet is a strictly indoor cat. I've heard some very upsetting pet stories and am already quite paranoid. Do you know exactly how the dogs and cats were stolen? What measures do you and others take to ensure their pets' safety?

Yes, please do recommend any reliable serviced apartments/hotels by name even if they're expensive. It's best to have options.