Bachelor Pad

[BratTheExpat]

Newbie to the forum here, relocating to Hong Kong in about a month. Was wondering if I could tap the experienced minds here for some advice, seeing as I have never lived/worked in HK before. I'll have a month in a serviced apartment to look for a place, so no massive rush, but I figured that it'd be better to have some idea before hitting the ground. I've been doing some preliminary homework on the usual rental websites, but from what I've been told these can sometimes be misleading, both in terms of price and square footage. And yes, I know this topic has been covered TO DEATH on these forums, but hey, every person has individual needs right?

Does anyone have good recommendations for me? Here is what I ideally would like, for a budget of around HKD 30,000 per month. Spacious (700-1,000 sq ft) apartment with good efficiency, new/luxury building with a modern touch, in a location where I have convenient access to IFC for work. So I'm thinking something like Sheung Wan, Wan Chai, Central, Causeway Bay, or perhaps Mid-levels. Could be a studio, 1BR, 2BR - whatever, as long as there is space, and doesn't look shabby. I'll be bringing a bunch of my own furniture over so an unfurnished place is preferable. I don't need amenities like a clubhouse or a swimming pool, but would like a building which could pass for upscale at least. So you know, doorman, stylish kitchen with sleek appliances, hardwood floors, etc... Is this budget realistic for what I am looking for? I know people who have gotten great places for less in these areas, so am trying to get a feel for what's cooking.

[Oldtimer]

Please check out Goldwin Heights 2 Seymour Road Mid Level. 1000 Sq Ft Gross ( Net about 650) 3 rooms, 2 baths, kitchen and siting & dinning area. rents range from $28K -35K depending on the floor and the view. Gym, Swimming Pool, Shuttle Bus to the Central .High Floor E & F units have
unrestricted views of the harbour

[Satay Sue]

Three bedrooms in 1000sq ft place is considered spacious??

[PDLM]

Three bedrooms in 1000sq ft place is considered spacious??

By HK standards yes, very. Surely you know that?

Although not perhaps in 650 net, which is a pretty poor efficiency ratio even by the usually awful standards here.

[Satay Sue]

By HK standards yes, very. Surely you know that?

Although not perhaps in 650 net, which is a pretty poor efficiency ratio even by the usually awful standards here.

Yes I should have included the 650 net. Anyway, the OP asked for 1-2 bedrooms, spacious. This hardly matches what he's asking for!

[PDLM]

The problem is that very, very few places are built here of over 700 sq.ft (net) with less than 3 bedrooms, so the OP is going to be looking for a conversion where someone has knocked down some walls. They aren't so easy to find.

[MovingIn07]

OP - here is one example - Star St 10-15min walk to ifc or short (cheap) taxi; nice building; no facilities; nice flat with a good size living room and two small bedrooms, decent kitchen but not large by western standards. Friend (single) was living in it - was about the only place I've seen which I would put in the category you described. Downside - this was 49k 2 years ago, so 50+ now.

As others have indicated, most HK'er go for "max number of rooms" not "spacious". I know exactly what you have in mind because it's what we like too and we could not find it here. So I now live on a boat. There are boats in DB marina - 25min ferry to pier right next to IFC. You might want to check them out - you'd get what you are looking for at the right price point there, IF something is available (and that's a big IF).

[wcdma]

With the budget of 30k / month I would go Kowloon station area. Buildings are fairly new, good services from downstairs Element mall and very easy access to IFC by only one MTR leg.

[bookblogger]

this was 49k

Madness...