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Van life in HK - possible?

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  1. #1

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    Van life in HK - possible?

    I hope this doesn't sound too dumb.

    Change in circumstances now means that i will only be in hk for about 8 months in a year with extended periods of time overseas.

    Instead of paying rental on an apartment for the time i won't be around, i was thinking of downsizing into a van. Paying $3k a month for a parking lot near a friend's place so they can check on it in my absence...

    The question is where can i find a company to help me fit-out / convert the van? i tried looking but was not find any retailer selling fully kitted out vans?

    Any ideas?


  2. #2

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    Cost of van, license, need for an electric outlet where you park and another outlet to shit shower and shave?

    Not sure if you have done the math, but it might just be cheaper to rent a room in a shared apartment.


  3. #3

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    Eight months is a long time to live in a van. Also, not sure I'd want to be in a van in a Hong Kong summer - unless you have Aircon. Then you'd need to be hooked up to electricity or be running the engine all the time.


  4. #4

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    If you're in a paid car park, I rather suspect they would not agree with someone living there. Even if it was not actually against the terms of leasing the space, someone would probably complain, and then management would make things difficult for you.

    shri likes this.

  5. #5

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    Quote Originally Posted by Pauljoecoe:
    Eight months is a long time to live in a van. Also, not sure I'd want to be in a van in a Hong Kong summer - unless you have Aircon. Then you'd need to be hooked up to electricity or be running the engine all the time.
    I doubt one can survive long-term in HK in an above ground enclosed space without air con, never mind a van. Well...I mean yes, technically they can survive if they have plentiful water or drinks to recharge from all the sweat they lost from the heat and avoid a heat stroke. But even so, that would be an extremely unpleasant way to live in HK. The constant sweat making you go all sticky is really an uncomfortable sensation to endure for long periods of time.

  6. #6

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    Quote Originally Posted by loser:
    I hope this doesn't sound too dumb.

    Change in circumstances now means that i will only be in hk for about 8 months in a year with extended periods of time overseas.

    Instead of paying rental on an apartment for the time i won't be around, i was thinking of downsizing into a van. Paying $3k a month for a parking lot near a friend's place so they can check on it in my absence...

    The question is where can i find a company to help me fit-out / convert the van? i tried looking but was not find any retailer selling fully kitted out vans?

    Any ideas?
    Come to think of it, do people do this in major Western cities? I had thought that it would be more of a countryside/travelling thing.

  7. #7

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    Quote Originally Posted by jgl:
    Come to think of it, do people do this in major Western cities? I had thought that it would be more of a countryside/travelling thing.
    It is getting more and more common to do this and vans like the Ford Transit can be used to look like a trader's van and be more inconspicuous. Many Walmarts in North America allow for overnight parking and solar is often used for power.

    It could be done but you would have to make sure an extraction fan is installed and the van properly insulated. Most people join a gym so that they can go there to shower and exercise and time can be spent in air con coffee shops to do work.

    If you could find a parking spot in a shady and fairly open area in a village, it could work but it would be uncomfortable between June and September not to mention the mold that might grow with the humidity and the flood risks. I wouldn't do it in HK.

  8. #8

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    For the costs involved you may as well just get a place in a shared apartment or a sub divided flat.

    A van will cost you $$$ let alone the cost of refurb.
    Parking space will cost you 3k plus a month by itself.

    Get a flat and Airbnb it when you’re not there.

    TaD_LaLa likes this.

  9. #9

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    Land tax premiums are much lower for cars than people. Can't see how it could be legal to live in a lower tax space in HK.


  10. #10

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    Quote Originally Posted by Aramis:
    It is getting more and more common to do this and vans like the Ford Transit can be used to look like a trader's van and be more inconspicuous. Many Walmarts in North America allow for overnight parking and solar is often used for power.

    It could be done but you would have to make sure an extraction fan is installed and the van properly insulated. Most people join a gym so that they can go there to shower and exercise and time can be spent in air con coffee shops to do work.

    If you could find a parking spot in a shady and fairly open area in a village, it could work but it would be uncomfortable between June and September not to mention the mold that might grow with the humidity and the flood risks. I wouldn't do it in HK.
    I'm aware that it exists, but not in any major capital.

    It's highly unlikely in a village- rather doubt that some random gweilo trespassing in a white van is going to be able to be able to stay long before having his tyres slashed by irate villagers.

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