Best place to find decent flats for one person with (a reasonable rent)

[FuwOo]

Hello fellow expats,

Would like to hear some advice on the best places to look at if I want to find a small flat for one person with a reasonable rent.

My understanding of "decent" mainly refers to good interior design, especially regarding the kitchen and bathroom area. I'm not looking for anything fancy, just need a place that's well designed in terms of space and with good facilities.

Size:
I'm happy with anything larger than 200 square feet as my budget is not high. (I plan to spend no more than 12K per month)

Location:
I work in Tin Hau and would like to keep the commute time within 40 minutes(one-way) from door to door.
Ideally I would like to find a place nearby but I guess with my budget I'd better include Kowloon side in my search as well. (I am considering places around the stations along the red line: from Sham Shui Po to Tsim Sha Tsui)

It seems quite hard to find a place that meet my requirements as most of the estates are designed for families with at least two bedrooms, which is why I am turning to this forum to see if I could get tips on some particular area/buildings. Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated.

[Char Siu King]

Tough with that miniscule budget. Hong Kong ain't getting any cheaper.

[rickyross]

Decent flat

Reasonable price

Pick one.

[FuwOo]

Tough with that miniscule budget. Hong Kong ain't getting any cheaper.

I know...
I do speak some Cantonese and don't mind living in more "local" areas. Hopefully that would help...

[HowardCoombs]

I know...
I do speak some Cantonese and don't mind living in more "local" areas. Hopefully that would help...

That would help, yes, but then again you are asking for "good design" & "good facilities" ....

With that budget, I would look for old buildings and forget about the design and facilities bit
or
Look for a flat share which would give you a better chance at the facilities.

[FuwOo]

Pick one.

You got me.
Yes I know it's difficult to solve a problem with too tight constraints. (I wouldn't have to post this thread if the problem is easy.)

I guess what I am willing to compromise is the size of the flat rather than the quality, but it seems that small flats with good qualities are rare here, thus why I asked my questions.

[FuwOo]

That would help, yes, but then again you are asking for "good design" & "good facilities" ....

With that budget, I would look for old buildings and forget about the design and facilities bit
or
Look for a flat share which would give you a better chance at the facilities.

Thanks. I'd prefer a place of my own, at least for now.
Yes, old buildings are an option.
When I said good design and good facilities I don't mean marble tops and fully equipped western kitchen. I simply need the place functional and practical. I've seen too many horrible kitchens and bathrooms here. I just want something "normal".

[james_hklocal]

They advertised a trial offer of $18,888 / month for the studio apartment but it expired. You may call them to ask for a quote -

Promotion | Kornhill Apartment

[chingleutsch]

Part of the issue is of course that local people's views on what makes a "decent" kitchen or bathroom bear little relationship to what those of us from many other countries think ... I mean, the kitchen has a sink, washing machine, double gas burner and room for a rice cooker, the fridge is round the corner in the living room with the microwave on top of it, and you put a plastic cover over the dining table when you're preparing the food for cooking - isn't that how EVERYONE does things??

Regarding space, I've lucked out in some 1980's blocks where someone has taken out one bedroom, expanded the other a bit, and made a larger living room (and did the same myself when I had my own place in Macau ), so you could check if any local agents know of any such properties available.

[jmbf]

I think your best bet would be to find a newly renovated flat in an older building in Kowloon. Somewhere in Yau Ma Tei, Mong Kok or Prince Edward close to the MTR would be workable.