Job Discussion Forums

[rpulayya]

We are looking to spend under $400 USD per month for a 1 bedroom apartment. (We are also looking for a place that we can pay our rent in VND not USD) We would like to live in an area that is close to everything and mostly around other teachers who live in HCMC. What are your thoughts on what is the best district to live in? What apartment complex? We are not looking for anything extravagant. Clean, safe, close to everything.

Any recommendations for a place to stay while looking for apartments would be greatly appreciated. Since we have been preparing for our move to Vietnam we have really depended on this discussion post and wanted to say thanks to everyone who has ever posted something in the past.

Thanks!

Randy
www.ourkoreanteapot.com

[mark_in_saigon]

Nothing is close to everything. This is a pretty big city, it might be best to come in, figure out where you are going to work, and use hotels until you do. It is really best to be close to your work. Hotels can be quite reasonable, and you avoid committing to a longer term deal until you are more sure of what things make up your everything. If you want to be close to westerners, you probably should stay in 1. Personally, I like 3, it is close enough to 1 but not in it, and it is more or less centrally located. It is not too expensive or gritty (comparatively speaking). Rents are attainable in your budget in 3. But you are not going to see huge numbers of westerners here, I think 1 is the answer for that, unless you get in particular divisions that cater to them, usually more expensive ones. I think everyone can take either form of payment, that is pretty much a non issue. If I were ever to just be totally free again, I think I would move from hotel to hotel for about 3 days at a time. It can get a little boring being in the same place, and a lot of fun to have a new environment to see. You can really get a better feel for the city that way, and learn your way around more quickly also if you move around.

[veensp]

I agree with Mark on all he says about being in D3 and about staying in a Guest House - plenty in D1 - while you look around for something that suits you. In case you're planning on buying / hiring a 'motorbike' for the period of your stay (pretty common), then any location might be fine. However, if walking to work is your preference, then accordingly...

About mode of payment - I personally think it's best to have the rent fixed in VND and payment made in VND only. Most often landlords want the rent fixed in USD (even though the payment is made in VND) and hence you end up paying a fluctuating amount (usually upward) as the dollar to vnd rate changes.