Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Lao Wai]

Hi,

This question is mostly out of curiousity and sometimes annoyance, nothing more. Why is it that buildings seem to be constructed so shoddily in Asia? I've lived in mainland China, Korea, and now, Hong Kong. In all three places, I lived in new or relatively new (10-15 year old) apartments. Not only is the physical structure kind of shoddy, but everything they put in them seems to be crap as well (cabinets, windows) and especially the BATHROOMS! I'm really surprised at Hong Kong because generally, things here are really efficient. Windows are washed, buildings are cleaned, shrubs are manicured, etc. I live in a building that's probably 15 years old. My apartment is decent but the only reason I chose it was because it was the best I could find after going around to see numerous apartments.

I live on the 26th floor, and in the New Territories, so the noise isn't too bad. Yet, it's hard to sleep without my air-con due to traffic noise. Oh, and they're constantly rennovating flats as well...glad I'm not a stay at home mom... When I look around in HK, so many buildings all have the same window design. Just the one single pane. Every house I've lived in in Canada has had double-paned windows. I mean, even some of the dive student housing I lived in in Canada has been better than apartments I've had in Asia.

My friend lived in an old aparment building in Toronto that had probably been built in the 1940's. Everything still looked like it was original to the apartment and as sturdy as ever. It had great water pressure, sturdy cabinets, etc.

It bugs me because I'm paying about 1000.00 CAD a month for my apartment. And in the past week, two things have broke on me. Now luckily, I have a great landlord who arranges people to come and fix whatever is wrong straight away. But, why can't they just build it right to begin with??? Grrr....I feel that due to the outrageous rent in HK and Seoul, people are getting ripped off big time in terms of the amount they pay, and the quality they get. Okay, I feel better now.

[Bibbitybop]

American Standard? They make good toilets and typewriters.