Accidental Landlord in New Territories

[knk]

As expats, We moved from town to the NT for 1 simple reason, the amount of space we could get for our $$$. A newish 4 bed 3 bath ... whole village house for less than out 800ft in town. A whole house (or at least several floors) is a good alternative for the price. If I was only wanting 700ft then I would have stayed in Town and enjoyed the lifestyle. A few new houses have been built near us on the model of 3 floors 3 different ‘homes’ feels pokey, dark and cramped with tiny rooms. As an expat it was the space (inside and out) I wanted.

[jgl]

As expats, We moved from town to the NT for 1 simple reason, the amount of space we could get for our $$$. A newish 4 bed 3 bath ... whole village house for less than out 800ft in town. A whole house (or at least several floors) is a good alternative for the price. If I was only wanting 700ft then I would have stayed in Town and enjoyed the lifestyle. A few new houses have been built near us on the model of 3 floors 3 different ‘homes’ feels pokey, dark and cramped with tiny rooms. As an expat it was the space (inside and out) I wanted.

I was thinking along the same lines. Everyone that I know who has moved out to the NT who has bought a car has also moved into a full village house, not a single 700 square foot floor.

[Wu Tango]

@knk @jgl
Interesting and obvious if I think about it. Rent The whole thing as a oner... maybe i should't have listened to my builder at the layout ? Grrr.. All up So 35-40k for 2100s/f plus roof garden another (700s/f) and with parking - sounds enticing?

[jgl]

Probably not. Like I and others have said before, that area doesn't appear on expat radars. It's more out Saikung direction.

[econo]

I’m an expat that lived in Yuen Long, and yes, i commuted to central every day. You will find them, particularly families. It did end up being too much for me though. The landlord wanted almost 15k for a 330ft apartment and I just can’t justify it for the location when it takes 1 hour to get to work..As a single person it’s quite isolating living here too..

[Bellaluna87]

Hi,

I just wanted to say that there are more and more expats combing out the outskirts of the urban. I have been living in YL-TSW for 4 years now and I have noticed more non locals in the area.

It is best to bear in mind that most of them living in this areas are hoping for lower rent so anything above 14k is out of the range esp for a village house. That is something most landlords are doing wrong. They assume that when they see an expat, they mark up the price and at the end, losing them to their greed.

All the best!

Which area specifically are you on?

[orel100x]

If I had a family with a child or two, I'd seriously consider NT - more space, fewer people, better access to nature, less time to hang out with mates in a pub. But for now I'd rather stay close to the action

[Mat]

I was thinking along the same lines. Everyone that I know who has moved out to the NT who has bought a car has also moved into a full village house, not a single 700 square foot floor.

Because the expats you know are, I assume, mid late 30/40ies.Plenty of younger expats who cannot afford a full house and are quite happy w 700 or 1400 sqft.

[jgl]

Because the expats you know are, I assume, mid late 30/40ies.Plenty of younger expats who cannot afford a full house and are quite happy w 700 or 1400 sqft.

Agreed on the first sentence.

And when I was much younger and much more budget constrained in HK, everyone I knew of a similar age wanted to live somewhere with access to Central/Wan Chai for night life and social reasons.

[Wu Tango]

@Bellaluna87 -
Maybe a growing trend. My new build is in Ho Pui Tsuen,10mins PLB to Kam Shenng Rd MTR . Assume you mean 14k for 700s/f, guess thats about right, slightly higher than our village, its about 12k-13k. Depending on condition. I'm a 'reluctant' accidental landlord, so I'd rather have nice reliable decent happy tennats who will look after the place than having to switch every 2 years, so will interview first and consider lower rent if all chacks out and potentail long lease. I live in UK so rather not have the hassle. If you know any friends then PM me. Thanks