Accomdation ideas wanted and needed...

[Nel5on]

I understand this takes your time, so if you post I would be most thankful.

I'm 35 y/o male sales Manager living in Staffs,UK but from NZ orginally, married to an English rose, with one daughter and another baby due in Feb, I'm trying to "hit the ground Running" when I arrive in HK in 1st Nov,
We looked at 3 bed appartment in the Banyan block in Lai Chi Kok as this is close to my office, for $18k, my wife likes that complex including the other towers(Pacifica,Liberte,Aqua) and found the 900sp ft small but suitable.
We just dont know that much about HK and its areas and are thinking DB for a child friendly area, is this in our price range, or any other areas. My wife and childrens happyness in HK is the most important to me, so any advice would be great.

Thanks in advance,

Nelson

[baywatch]

how old is your daughter? if she is old enough to attend school, you many need to take this into consideration when doing the house hunting.

18K for 900 sq sf in lai chi kok, not sure if this is average price or a bit on the high side, but assuming the rent includes monthly management fee and the quarterly govt rates, you need to check this out. you may want to check out the neighbourhood as well.

does the building has a Club House for tenants?

[Nel5on]

Thanks for a reply Baywatch, my daughter is 1 y/o last week, so not starting school soon....I can only guess that it has a clubhouse as it has a large swimming pool? if that means anything?

Nelson

[baywatch]

ok good, so u dont have to worry about finding a place close to the school net.

it does not hurt to check to make sure staying in your apt you guys are entitled to use the pool without paying extra? also some of the compounds the club house has a mini gym or a squash court etc. it is always good to have choices.

you guys like lai chi kok area, or have you being presented with other districts as well? there are flats above the Kowloon Express Station the Element, e.g the Arch, and also some buildings near the Canton Road - the Victoria Towers, are quite good. if you have a property agent, ask them to send you stuff about these areas.

I checked out the Victoria Towers before since they rent it without furniture, not working for me.

[Nel5on]

Good advice about use of the gym and pool, were open to other areas and dont have an agent, but its hard to get an idea on the internet of what a place is like.... we think when we get there we might look at Discovery bay and Tung Chung? are these ok or are there better places?
Thank you,
Nelson

[baywatch]

DB and TC are both nice. However if you work in lai chi kok and live in DB, it maybe tough in terms of commuting. DB ferry to central, change to MTR to work place.

Just a thought, have a weekend trip to HK, get a feel of the area you want to pursuit and take it from there. You may want to consider the transportation cost in HK as well.

Good luck to your house hunting.