Prices and choice of accommodation in Ap Lei Chau

[MatB]

Hi,

I am moving to HK in May and was doing some research - looking for a newer apartment in a clean air area, but still on mtr line. My budget is limited but im ok to compensate by smaller size as I am alone.

I really like the idea of living in Ap Lei Chau because it is close to the center, on the sea side and sheltered from main HK and Pearl River by the hill.

I was expecting the prices in Ap Lei Chau would be lower than in Central/Causeway Bay but according to my check on Squarefoot, HK homes etc., it seems to be vice versa. My question is whether this is really the case? I thought Central is the most expensive neighborhood in HK. Also, the choice of accommodation seems to be very limited in Ap Lei Chau. Not sure if this is all true or the rental search websites just suck (which definitely seems to be the case looking at the apartment descriptions and picture choices).

Is Ap Lei Chau some very luxurious area? Do you think East Side is a good alternative which also has cleaner air?

Thank you a lot!

[TheBrit]

Ap Lei Chau is a dump. It's not close to the centre of HK and the air quality there isn't better than other places. There isn't a lot of good quality accommodation there.

Would recommend not setting your heart on any places before checking them out in person.

[merchantms]

Hi,

I am moving to HK in May and was doing some research - looking for a newer apartment in a clean air area, but still on mtr line. My budget is limited but im ok to compensate by smaller size as I am alone.

I really like the idea of living in Ap Lei Chau because it is close to the center, on the sea side and sheltered from main HK and Pearl River by the hill.

I was expecting the prices in Ap Lei Chau would be lower than in Central/Causeway Bay but according to my check on Squarefoot, HK homes etc., it seems to be vice versa. My question is whether this is really the case? I thought Central is the most expensive neighborhood in HK. Also, the choice of accommodation seems to be very limited in Ap Lei Chau. Not sure if this is all true or the rental search websites just suck (which definitely seems to be the case looking at the apartment descriptions and picture choices).

Is Ap Lei Chau some very luxurious area? Do you think East Side is a good alternative which also has cleaner air?

Thank you a lot!

There is very little new build accommodation in Ap Lei Chau. It is dominated by South Horizons which is an older private estate and a few public estates. Larvotto is the main new build and it's expensive as it has a lot of facilities and is "luxury" spec (for HK standards anyway). So if you're looking at Larvotto vs a random building in Mid-Levels, yes it will be more expensive. However I'd be shocked if a small 1 bed in South Horizons was more expensive than ML.

[MatB]

Thanks, it is definitely true that I would firstly get something short term too check everything by my own eyes. However, how is Ap Lei Chau not close the center? It is like 4 mtr stops from Admiralty.

[shri]

What part of Ap Lei Chau are you looking it?

It is three or four very distinct communities, including South Horizons, Old Ap Lei Chau, Lei Tung and some newer developments. The price range and the quality / lifestyle issues are quite varied.

[MatB]

I guess you must be right. From Europe I can only look via the websites like squarefoot etc. which in my opinion are really crappy as the choice is really limited and the info provided on the apartments is almost nothing (and the pictures are sometimes so bad its almost funny - like a detail picture of the window frame or a lamp ). Im quite shocked the most dynamic rental market has such poor quality search websites.

Therefore, do you think it would be possible to choose from more options when I am already in HK by using a agency? Or are there any newer websites you know of? I was hoping to save a bit by not staying in Mid-Levels as I am not that keen for super busy districts.

[shri]

Standard procedure.

- Do not trust online sources in HK. Too many old listings, bad descriptions and "spam" from estate agents.
- Apartment move fast. No point in messing around online before you move here.
- Get yourself a reasonably centrally located serviced apartment for a month or two
- Figure out the districts and contact local agents in those areas and look around

(And forget about shit like "most dynamic" and other things you've heard about HK... at the end of the day, it is an old fashioned Asian city, hyped as being modern in many ways that it is not...)

[MatB]

The thing is, on the search websites the choice is so limited I can only find around up to 10 apartments in my range on Ap Lei Chau. So I cannot really choose if I want South Horizons, Larvotto or something else. Im looking for something small, with a view, newer built or renovated, great if there is a tiny balcony.

I like the area as it seems a bit more quiet, and I conclude air must be a bit cleaner as it is shielded from Pearl River and Kowloon by a hill and it is on a windy seaside.

[MatB]

Thanks for the insight, you must be right! I was just hesitant to pay an agent as here where im from, it is quite possible to find a place by yourself as the online sources are good.

Still, HK is a free market so im surprised nobody came with a proper, good quality website/app for real estate. Considering the amount of money thats moving there.

[JAherbert]

website or app isn't going to save you from agency fees unless you very lucky. It's not the quality of the app/website that matters, its the quality of the input. As mentioned above, websites have too much click bait, rubbish, and fakes (caused by the users, not the app/website), there are also fake agents without any licence. As @shri said, get yourself serviced apartment for a couple of months then start hunting.