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Investment advice HK and abroad

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  1. #31

    A short commute is the new backyard!

    Sure, you have to make choices. But I can see so many people moving to remote places because "it's so cheap and quiet... Community...bla bla..." and then face the life-sucking reality to commute to work (me included somehow, lol.).

    There is a Facebook group for Sai Kung Traffic, and almost every day there is an accident, which then turns a 15 min bus ride into a 1+ h exercise. Or look at the people at Dragon's Range, they need to rely on a shuttle bus to get in and out.

    Trust me, being close to an MTR station is a huge advantage and pays off in the long run.

    TheBrit likes this.

  2. #32

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    Quote Originally Posted by bargfeldstegen:
    A short commute is the new backyard!

    Sure, you have to make choices. But I can see so many people moving to remote places because "it's so cheap and quiet... Community...bla bla..." and then face the life-sucking reality to commute to work (me included somehow, lol.).

    There is a Facebook group for Sai Kung Traffic, and almost every day there is an accident, which then turns a 15 min bus ride into a 1+ h exercise. Or look at the people at Dragon's Range, they need to rely on a shuttle bus to get in and out.

    Trust me, being close to an MTR station is a huge advantage and pays off in the long run.
    What I see is that my life choices have allowed me to get very comfortable without having to work too much and the downside (if it were one) was that once in a while the commute would get to me (PS I live not on an MTR line and I am at work in Central within 30mn daily by bus) - I also know if I have had to stay on an MTR line I would have had to work lot more and or lot longer later in life and would have felt miserable living in a small flat --- yes I prefer space - I get that some prefer small space and LKF lifestyle (one of my fiend pay 35K for 400 sqf in Soho --- I shake my head each time but that works for him --- I would die and vice versa.

    All I am telling the OP is that IF YOU LOOK you will find. You will never find perfect and you may have to drop this or that but look at your AIM...is your AIM to get weathly and own etc etc or is your AIM to minimize your daily commute...Short term gain or long term gain kinda. For some short term is very important, for other it is the opposite. There is no right or wrong...but if the OP wants to buy to live in, all I am saying is that he can. After it is up do him to see if the +ses outweitgh the -ives.
    bargfeldstegen and vyral_143 like this.

  3. #33

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    Quote Originally Posted by civil_servant:
    I know a socialist who lives there. Stay away!
    Grow up really.

  4. #34
    Quote Originally Posted by Mat:
    What I see is that my life choices have allowed me to get very comfortable without having to work too much and the downside (if it were one) was that once in a while the commute would get to me (PS I live not on an MTR line and I am at work in Central within 30mn daily by bus) - I also know if I have had to stay on an MTR line I would have had to work lot more and or lot longer later in life and would have felt miserable living in a small flat --- yes I prefer space - I get that some prefer small space and LKF lifestyle (one of my fiend pay 35K for 400 sqf in Soho --- I shake my head each time but that works for him --- I would die and vice versa.

    All I am telling the OP is that IF YOU LOOK you will find. You will never find perfect and you may have to drop this or that but look at your AIM...is your AIM to get weathly and own etc etc or is your AIM to minimize your daily commute...Short term gain or long term gain kinda. For some short term is very important, for other it is the opposite. There is no right or wrong...but if the OP wants to buy to live in, all I am saying is that he can. After it is up do him to see if the +ses outweitgh the -ives.
    I have somehow the same concept as you. I try to retire earlier by saving on the housing. Now I know how to reply when I get these "Why do you live in Yuen Long? So far bla bla..." looks, haha! Thank you.

  5. #35

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    Original Post Deleted
    - in this particular case - no 15% stamp duty issue.

  6. #36

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    There is a Facebook group for Sai Kung Traffic, and almost every day there is an accident, which then turns a 15 min bus ride into a 1+ h exercise. Or look at the people at Dragon's Range, they need to rely on a shuttle bus to get in and out.

    Trust me, being close to an MTR station is a huge advantage and pays off in the long run.
    You have a point, but you're being hyperbolic with your examples.

    There are good gems out there - far enough from the MTR and with good commute options. Many estates are incredibly well served with mini buses and other public transport.

    In general if you're looking at this from an investment perspective, you want to get in before the MTR shows up. Once the MTR is even rumoured - the valuations go nuts.
    bsc1280 likes this.

  7. #37

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    Quote Originally Posted by Mat:
    Lived in HK 11 years 3 of which where by a MTR line... never hated my life.

    Saved tones of $ and took a cab for the Friday night ride back post drinks and party... cost of taxi for the month was probably 1/2k at the time - rent save for same type of flat was at least 7/8k a month if not more. Stick to your MTR.
    Get familiar with minibuses especially the red ones. I lived 5 years in Kennedy Town before the MTR came and it was great, perhaps better than now.

  8. #38

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    Quote Originally Posted by bargfeldstegen:
    I have somehow the same concept as you. I try to retire earlier by saving on the housing. Now I know how to reply when I get these "Why do you live in Yuen Long? So far bla bla..." looks, haha! Thank you.
    Yes social pressure is intense I know.

    When I first moved where I moved people keep asking me -- how come so far, wow so inconvenient etc etc...the same people who pay 70k a month for a flat in Stanley and once out of two arrive late in morning cos of traffic issue.

    I don't live for other people. I make choices for me and my family - choices that are discussed between us and accepted once we go to invest and or move etc. I respect other people's choice, I do get the appeal of being on top of an MTR station or in Tai Tam but I also know it puts on my family more pressure $ wise. Pressure that isn't really necessary if you stop living a life under the pressure of what is socially right (you are a banker you should live in Mid Levels, Elements and South Side - you are a gweilo, you should be rich and spend tones and the likes)

    So my point to the OP who appear to be risk adverse and stretch is that if you look for a property - buy for self use and there are options available - they wont (*they will never") tick all the boxes but what is your aim at the end?
    Mrs. Jones and kittykaitak like this.

  9. #39

    Time for rolling out self driving cars finally, then it really won't matter where you live!


  10. #40

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    First time buyer.


    er spending 10 years in HK and seeing the prices double for the apartment I have been renting, I have finally managed to save some money for downpayment.

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