Where to start?

pin · 04-11-2006, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by goodbye kitty:

I like KT because it's a cheap place to live on the Island and has good links to central and the other busier spots. There's not much in the way of nighlife here in respects to bars. Not a lot of expats generally but some. Check out our little KT community website to ask other KTers about rents etc (Manhattan and Merton are the most popular spots) http://www.kennedytown.info

I think you'd get a decent place for the amount you're suggesting in KT. Apparently it's 'up and coming!'

Hi

Thanks for the link. Have accepted my offer, so things are now moving on. It will be four months before I come out, so do have time to sort things out.

How easy is it to get from KT into Central, how is it done (i.e. taxi, bus, tram, etc). How long would the commute be? How far would KT be from the likes of Wanchai and LKF?

Also what does KT have in terms of amenities, i.e. gym, parks etc?

In terms of accomodation, would I be looking at a new building or an old style that has been refurbished?

Sorry for all the questions!!

goodbye kitty · 07-11-2006, 10:48 PM

Firstly, KT is quite accessible. It takes anywhere from 10-30mins on the bus to central depending on traffic. If you're feeling adventurous, you can take the tram which actually feels a lots slower but takes about 25mins also. Taxi's would take 5-10mins (for central, Soho, LKF) and would cost about £3.00. For Wan Chai, you would stay on the bus an extra 5 mins. KT is closer to Central than Pokfulam, which is another popular area and kind of the next estate over but less accessible as far as I can tell. Causeway bay is about the same distance from Central on the east of the Island but is much livelier in terms of bars/restaurants and ++shops. The nearest MTR is in Sheng Wan and is a bus/tram ride away which is a bit of a pain. There are plans to extend it to KT but that's going to take a few years.

KT has a public swimming pool but it's outside so it closes over the 'colder' months. The public gym is being refurbished at the moment so I haven't seen it. There is a small park that has a jogging track and a playpark and Tai Chi in the mornings. It has several supermarkets and a wet market (if you have the stomach!). 2-3 bars, lots of local restaurants, McD's, post office and library. Not much in the way of shopping.

There are a number of new buildings: Merton, Manhattan Heights, Smithfield Terrace, University Heights, The Belchers. There are also tons of older buildings. I live in a refurbished appartment in one of the older buildings, so it's much cheaper than the others. The new buildings I mention most likely have their own gyms and activities rooms?

Hope that helps. KT is not for everyone so I hope that helps narrow down your choices. Good luck!

pin · 28-11-2006, 12:31 AM

Thanks for the info re KT, I guess best bet is to go and visit it when I move over.

Things are moving along now. Start date is set for 5 Feb. Visa forms are now with my future employers, however I fell down on the photo requirement!! Sent over standard UK passport sized photos, were too small for the visa application. Have just had the right sized photos taken, costing £10 for two photos.

EUChinese · 01-12-2006, 04:44 AM

Originally Posted by pin:

Thanks for the info re KT, I guess best bet is to go and visit it when I move over.

Things are moving along now. Start date is set for 5 Feb. Visa forms are now with my future employers, however I fell down on the photo requirement!! Sent over standard UK passport sized photos, were too small for the visa application. Have just had the right sized photos taken, costing £10 for two photos.

Guarantee you will have a better life style in HK than in London on the same money. things are more value for money in HK, you will probably live in a shoe box in HK but still bigger than you matches box in London.

Why dont you make a trip to HK for a few days before starting the new job ? just to check out the places where to live etc. ? airfare is not expensive.....

wapiscrap · 01-12-2006, 01:32 PM

There is a free shuttle bus service for Mahattan Height residents to Central...

pin · 22-12-2006, 08:06 PM

Well, plans are starting to become more concrete. Am going to book my airfare in a few days for the move.

Quick question, and don't know if this is the right place. I have a decentish seperate's sound system that cost about £600 when I bought it. Now should I ship that over with me, or should I just buy one in HK?

On another note, is there DAB (i.e. digital) radio in HK? Reason I ask is because one of the components to the seperate system is a DAB tuner.

vmlinuz · 22-12-2006, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by pin:

On another note, is there DAB (i.e. digital) radio in HK? Reason I ask is because one of the components to the seperate system is a DAB tuner.

No, there's no DAB radio here. There was a trial a couple of years back by RTHK (BBC-ish people), but it was ended rather than going mainstream. I've heard one or two rumours that it may come back at some time, and they're meant to be launching DVB-T (Freeview-ish) here next year, but otherwise, it's going to be analogue if it's coming over the airwaves...

pin · 02-01-2007, 06:57 AM

Thanks for the info, I guess I won't be bringing over my DAB with me!

Well plane tickets are now booked, will be flying over in a months time.

So much still to do before coming over!!

pin · 09-01-2007, 08:40 PM

Visa got approved!! Pretty quick. Visa application was submitted on 7 December and it got approved on 9 Jan, which is quite a quick turn around considering Xmas and new years in between! Company are couriering it out now, so will have it in a few days

sunniefaith · 09-01-2007, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by pin:

Visa got approved!! Pretty quick. Visa application was submitted on 7 December and it got approved on 9 Jan, which is quite a quick turn around considering Xmas and new years in between! Company are couriering it out now, so will have it in a few days

Congrats and see ya soon in HK!