Job Discussion Forums

riverman · Joined: 31 May 2005 Posts: 6

We are moving to HK this fall to work at an International School there, and rather than ship over a household of furnishings, we plan on buying stuff there. However, we prefer to find some good quality used stuff that we would keep for life rather than medium-quality new stuff that we'd have to sell when we left. Can anyone recommend some shops and parts of town where we should look? I am not at all familiar with the lay of the land there, never having visited before, but I suspect that the furnishings that IKEA sells will be a bit too 'prefabricated' for our tastes.

Also, is it allowed to paddle a non-motorized boat (kayak or canadian canoe) in the freshwater reservoirs? And for that matter, is there a place to buy/rent canoes (not kayaks) in HK?

Thanks; so many questions...

I apologize if this is offtopic for this forum; if I should post this question elsewhere, please point me in the right direction. Thanks.

--riverman

shmeagain · Joined: 11 Apr 2005 Posts: 58 Location: Hong Kong

Hi Riverman,

Check out asiaxpat.com.hk - go to the trading post and you'll find almost anything you need.

In regards to kayaking, look in the sports section of the "Ask an Expat" menu (same website).

I've seen some people, on what looks like canoes to me, in Sai Kung - seems to be some sort of training school/club.

Another website to check out would be geoexpat.com

I don't think you'll have any hassles finding anything you need in HK.

Good luck!

once again · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Posts: 815

There are also some second hand shops selling only quality furniture, and their is also the trading post section of the Sunday Morning Post. Depending on what kind of furniture you want, you may find it better to go to Macau or up over the boarder into the mainland and get it there. It can be remarkably cheap compared to both HK and what you may be used to in Canada/America. You can get some very good quality solid wood furniture made to your own designs for really great prices.

kowlooner · Joined: 24 Jun 2004 Posts: 230 Location: HK, BCC (former)

I second the Macau idea.

We've bought furniture from Macau at great prices and with absolutely no problems with delivery. Good antique-look pieces and very good quality.

If you can't find what you want in Macau (unlikely), there are a number of good local furniture stores for rosewood tables and so on. Usually made to order in places across the border. Depends where you buy though. Some stores in more trendy districts may charge a bit of a premium.