When to hunt for apts

[Hokuto]

When is the best time to hunt for apartments when your lease is ending? In Shanghai, we generally search for a month (at most) in advance and sign and move in a week at most before our lease expires. When is the best time to start apartment hunting in Hong Kong? One, two months before the end of the lease? How long does it take one to move in HK? (Again, in Shanghai most apartments are furnished, so one doesn't have to worry about more than clothes and a few extra belongings. The last time we moved, we did it in two cab rides and a metro trip. )

TIA <3

[KnowItAll]

I'd say around a month before your lease expires.

The process, once you've identified the apartment is rather quick ... you can put a deposit to confirm, the rest of the paper work can be done in a matter of days and the keys will be handed to you.

Easy to get a relocations / mover who will move you at 2-3 days notice, assuming you have minimal stuff to move. Else you can get a man with a van at a few hours notice and just move the stuff yourself.

[Hokuto]

Whoa, quite the late reply! But better later than never. Good to know, as we're set to decide whether or not to move again one year later as our landlord's liason called us four months in advance to enquire.

I found the removal service dismal compared to Shanghai; at least the low quality of service there was understandable due to the low cost. Definitely going to shop around this time (or better pad our furniture) if we do choose to move.