@Elegiaque and @imparanoic....
Really guys? You don't read Geoexpat enough then...
OP, if you're picky, make sure you stand firm with your criteria and don't be swayed by agents. Given HK's density, there will be an apartment that suits you - but you need to have more than 1 agent keeping their eyes open for you.
I don't recommend wanchai. If you are the type of person that isn't comfortable in living in dodgy areas, then avoid it. For some people, the cost savings and convenience of wanchai are worth the neighborhood. Not everyone tolerates it in the same way. I hang out at the darts bars there every week, including weekdays (joe's and billidarts happy hours are cheap and there normally are few other people in the bars so that they're relatively quiet) but I wouldn't live in Wanchai.
My mate just rented a flat in happy valley for 17k. It is a walk up and they are on floor 2 (third floor, so two flights of stairs). 450sq feet is the usable size of the apartment. However, the price was negotiated down and the term was shortened to one year so my friend paid 6 months (in dated cheques) up front.
For the second time Wanchai is no dodgier than any other district in Hong Kong.
People always think of a 300m stretch of a single road when they hear wanchai, but guess what it's more than just that.
Hi Tamsin
29 y/o lad, used to live and work in London (Westferry/Canary Wharf) and now live/work in Wan Chai/ICC (Kowloon Station).
Don't be dissuaded by those folks saying Wan Chai isn't suitable for living in for a young professional. Anything south of Hennessy Road is perfectly normal. They have a Mclaren and Rolls Royce garage on Queens Road East for the person with a casual few mio HKD lying around!
I live around the Star St/Ship St area of Wan Chai and find it perfectly safe, even walking through the little streets between Queens Road East and Johnston Road/Wanchai Road. It's a stellar location, being slap bang in between Wan Chai and Admiralty MTR stations and you're ridiculously well connected not only by MTR, but also by bus and the tram, giving you plenty of options getting home, depending on your mood. Not to mention, you'll be slap bang in between Central and Causeway Bay.
It really does depend on what you are looking for in a place to live. I was looking for convenience and comfort and really don't mind a little traffic noise outside my window and for that middle ground of the area feeling a little local, but at the same time being expat friendly if I'm not bothered to speak in Cantonese.
For other areas mentioned in thread that I read:
Stanley - the commute will bore you. Going to work isn't so bad, its getting home that will drive you nuts, especially if you have evening engagements.
Kennedy Town - It's at the end of the line for a lot of things. Quiet and nice environment but for me it's a little bit, end of the line feeling.
Olympic - Ultra residential but you're not far from Mong Kok/Sham Shui Po for your random shopping
Mid-levels - Pricey and super expat-ty
Ok fine - Wan Chai can go back on the list.
Hmm, unfortunately Cantonese is not an option for me atm....maybe give me a few months and then I'll be able to say some phrases!
I don't want a long commute for sure, but then I think 'long' in HK is probably normal for the rest of the world!
The more I think about it , the more I NEED this oven. So I'm gonna have to go wherever I can get my hands on one, or enough kitchen space so I can get one.
I've also heard good things about Discovery Bay. I know it will mean taking the ferry most days but apparently there is a good 'community feel' to the area. This recommendation came from a friend who's a HK local though - so not sure whether its best for my very first time in HK. Any thoughts anyone?