my fren is renting around 35~37k for a gross 1k+ ft apartment @ taikoo. not sure its the old rate or you can still get it. but i kind of think you can get that rate if you hunt around hard enough.
and i believe going from TKO to central 45 mins is feasible. i stay in Quarry bay and even with walking home to station and station to office, office at kowloon bay, the total time is 30mins (sofa to desk, timed often). so adding 15mins for travel between QB to Central is about all that takes. train frequency are good and cross platform walk takes little time.