Lots of good info here, thanks! We should be getting more info from the school soon, i'm just not very patient and very excited by the news. The 15-20k is really up in the air right now, just an initial number and likely to change. I am assuming we will be living in about 700-900 s/f for a 3 bdr apt. So while i'd like places to take my dog, i'd also like things to do outside the apartment. I had generally assumed that anything on HK island would be too expensive, or be too in the city for a dog.
I think we will definately be looking for a serviced apartment nearby for at least a month, since it looks like finding a permanent place could take a while.