Before I received acceptance for my postgraduate studies in HKU, I was looking forward to my 9 months stay in HK starting from 1 Sep 2014. The nightmare started when I tried to look for a decent place conducive for studies. I can't travel to HK till 20 Aug the earliest. I have currently two offers on hand for service apartment (which look very nice on pictures) but I am very hesitating to accept any due to the many negative feedback in the reviews on service apartment. My anxiety is building up as I have less than a month to decide on accommodation. Hope someone with similar dilemma before can enlighten me on this.
1. Should I book any service apartment based on the photos alone as I am not in HK to view?
2. The fully furnished rental flats seem much cheaper than service apartments and have more choices, but will it be difficult to get a 9 months lease? And what is the pros and cons comparing the two?
3. If I were to choose to go down on 20 Aug to HK and start to look for an accommodation, is it possible to get one before my term starts on 1 Sep?
4. I have a budget of <10k for a single room/flat with shower facility. I don't mind to share flat but hopefully not more than 1 flatmate.
Thanks in advance for any advice given. -