Working - and living? - near Hung Hom station

[WolfieG]

Hi all,

Would welcome your thoughts on my situation.

Im considering a 1-2 year job offer, working near Hung Hom station. Im late 30s, would be coming to HK on my own, and given the short(ish) stay I think Id want to stay quite close to the action. But by action I mean eating out / socialising, not partying.

Living Kowloon side seems sensible money-wise. I could go to 30k but would prefer 20-25k. 2BR would be good. If I lived very close to HH, would it feel very busy / noisy always? (In reality is there a level at which construction noise disappears or is it a constant everywhere?) Is it better to commute from somewhere quieter/greener and/or more sociable or should I seek to minimise commute? I realise thats very subjective. Id be hoping to meet some expats for (additional) socialising as Ill meet locals through work.

Ive been wondering about the commute from Kowloon station or Olympic, or down from Kowloon Tong - cant tell how easy it would be. Apartments with clubhouses (particularly inside/outside pool) look great but I wonder about the reality...do you use the facilities? Are they good for meeting people? If you dont have a pool are there good swimming options elsewhere?

Many questions!

[bargfeldstegen]

Hung Hom will be fine.

[dumbdonkey]

The sea may smell at times

[gigglinggal]

The noise levels are pretty much the same in every big city

[gigglinggal]

For making friends, its easier via work/seminars/interest groups. Google meet up HK for more

[drumbrake]

Serviced apartments above the station. Try them for a couple of weeks. See what you think of the area.

Harbourview Horizon Suites (Hunghom) | Horizon Hotels & Suites Limited

[dengxi]

Anywhere along west rail or east rail will be convenient for Hung Hom. Kowloon (Austin), Olympic (Nam Cheong), Mong Kok (East). Kowloon Tong has a bit less bustle than Kowloon / Olympic / Mong Kok, more family-oriented and further to get to the island where realistically a lot of expat socialising happens.

[lighthse003]

Lots of western expats in HK prefer living in less desely populated areas.
Less such trend among people in HK from Japan, South Korea, Mainland China, Taiwan, Singapore, India etc.

You can easily walk to work and lots of chinese or asian eating if living in Hung Hom or Tsim Sha Tsui. Hung Hom station is also one stop by cross harbour tunnel buses from Causeway Bay and two stops from Wanchai. The tunnel is often congested.

A MTR line is being built under victoria harbour, connecting hung hom station and wanchai north, the next station after wanchai north is the current admiralty station.

The East Rail Line is very densely packed during peak hours. Also the Tsuen Wan Line and Island Line. The Tung Chung Line is less packed in the morning, but only before Lai Kung.

20 to 25K can have 2BR in a newer apartment in the area. Hung Hom is busy, but still less busy than Tsim Sha Tsui, Mongkok and Causeway Bay. Noise is a problem below the 15 floor, if you live above restaurants and shops. Not all apartments are right above the busy streets. The Hung Hom, Ho Man Tin, To Kwa Wan and Tsim Sha Tsui areas are not full of westerners, but have some asian expat residents in addition to Chinese.

There are buses to the area from Kowloon and Olympic station, but MTR is the fastest way, and requires changing trains at station. Kowloon Tong is 6 minutes by the MTR East Rail Line.

Those private estates with clubhouses can cost more, and usually have better management and more expensive management fees than single building apartment. Staff speak better english.

[MandM!]

Most people get tied up and don't have a chance to use their clubhouse facilities. Most estates, especially larger ones, charge you to use the swimming pool, gym or rent/use a function room or sports facility. If you are like most people and work the weekdays, things are often jammed and packed on the weekends anyway that you'd likely not get a chance to reserve any space.

Commute wise, check Google maps and the MTR. The MTR runs on time to the minute and is very accurate, albeit overcrowded during rush hour and some stations to be avoided. Buses are ok but can get stuck in traffic during peak hours and minibuses are often full. So you must be near the start or forget it.

Hung Hom is a decent place to live since you will be working there. You can look at Austin station which is just 2 stops to Hung Hom, easy and quick and there is a decent newer estate on top of the MTR. Hung Hom is good. You can also look at Whampoa and Mongkok East too.

The city is always under construction and new buildings come up everywhere, and if you live by them, it's very loud -- you never know. Just have a look and see what's going on nearby. Agents don't always know and the responsibility lies with you. If it's an older building and they need to redo the exterior wall, they may prohibit the use of Air Con for an entire summer. I've seen it happen before. So do keep your eye open.

[lighthse003]

It is a choice between getting to work or places quickly or commuting on a densely packed train or bus in peak hours.
Minibuses do not allow standing passengers but maybe be affected by traffic congestion.