Rental or Serviced Apartment for long term stay?

[meeyi]

Hi,
I am moving to Hong Kong from Australia for a new job, salary is HKD 85k per month. Single, female, 26yr old, and looking to stay around Central, Mid-Levels, Sheung Wan, Wan Chai or Causeway Bay.

I have been looking at some rental apartments (studio and 1BR apartments) in the range of $20-25k per month, and I have also come across some serviced apartments (which look pretty decent from photos) which fall in the same price range in those locations. The upside to the serviced apartments are that they are furnished, utilities and internet included, have cleaning services and sometimes comes with gym facilities.

On the face of it, it appears to be better to stay at serviced apartments. Is this true? Has anyone stayed at serviced apartments in Hong Kong and preferred rental instead? Would love to hear about your experience staying with serviced apartments.

Thanks for your comments

[JAherbert]

A friend of mine lived in a service apartment for six years on Kowloon side.

The standard advice for new arrival would be to book into service apartment initially, to give you the chance to find an apartment. In your case, if you like the place you could stay longer, later you could always try a different serviced apartment. But coming from OZ you might find some service apartments too small to be comfortable, low rent means small space.

[chingleutsch]

I think all of us here would recommend staying in a serviced apartment for the first month or two and then take it from there.
Do NOT believe ANY internet property ads.

And remember that everything here will be measured in square feet, not metres (divide by 10 for an easy conversion rate).

[orel100x]

I rented long term soon after I moved here and I'm sorry I didn't research the service apartment route more. I'm saving some money, probably 20% give or take, but I have to wait for the end of the contract to move. I think I'll move to a serviced apartment when I done with the current place, if I can find a suitable one.

But be warned, as others have said - the pictures in the ads are usually very misleading. View first!!!!

[MandM!]

Serviced apartments are typically smaller but cleaner. You gain flexibility for loss of space. Renting requires deposits, commitments, most likely you would need to buy some furnitures.

[chuckster007]

a friend of mine is renting a serviced apartment in Hung Hom for around 20K a month 600 sq/ft, fully furnished, free wifi etc, great deal.

Horizon Hotels & Suites Limited

[wanderer01]

We moved to HK 3 months ago. Stayed in serviced apartment for 2 months (company paid), and then moved into our own apartment which we rented in mid-levels. Its smaller than our apartment back home or the serviced apartment, but still larger than many of the fancy places we saw during our apartment search.

If you are here long term, then I suggest you rent your own place. I think with a budget of 30k per month (for midlevels, less if you consider SYP, Sheung Wan, etc), you should be able to find a very nice apartment, pay for utilities and still have some left to cover your full gym cost at one of the major chains in town.

We searched for serviced apartments in Mid-levels, and did not find anything less than $35k for 1 bedroom.

[meeyi]

We moved to HK 3 months ago. Stayed in serviced apartment for 2 months (company paid), and then moved into our own apartment which we rented in mid-levels. Its smaller than our apartment back home or the serviced apartment, but still larger than many of the fancy places we saw during our apartment search.

If you are here long term, then I suggest you rent your own place. I think with a budget of 30k per month (for midlevels, less if you consider SYP, Sheung Wan, etc), you should be able to find a very nice apartment, pay for utilities and still have some left to cover your full gym cost at one of the major chains in town.

We searched for serviced apartments in Mid-levels, and did not find anything less than $35k for 1 bedroom.

Hanlun Orchids is what I am considering - Hanlun Habitats - Home. The price is between $24.5k - 30k.