Where to live on Hongkong Island

[U Boot]

Hello,
Will be packing the whole family into a couple of suitcases and moving over to HK. Work will be in Wanchai and the sprog is attending the German/Swiss School at The Peak. Budget is roughly in the 60000 HKD range.

1. which are the suitable areas that can be considered. So far, online I have checked places like Midlevels, Wanchai, Happy Valley and Taikoo Shing. Either the Hongkongers are nuts or everyone there makes loads of cash but there seems to be nothing that normal people can afford.

2. Are the prices online just a front and as in all things Asian, if one is expected to bargain?

Cheers
U Boot

[carang]

yes, some bargaining is expected. but do NOT rely on what you see on the internet. some of the listings have been on there for YEARS!

you are better to go to a serviced apartment and take a month to look around.

check out:
repulse bay
happy valley
pok fu lam
discovery bay (a little farther for your child but there is a school bus that meets the ferry and there are LOADS of kids that go to GSIS that live in DB. you could get a VERY nice place in db for that price!)

[U Boot]

Thanks. that´s what I got as well. The further out you live the cheaper and better looking it gets. Question is, how long does it take to get from DB to HK? And how frequent are the ferries?

[carang]

we lived in db for almost 6 years and only moved out last july. we LOVED it and it was great for hte kids and dogs.

the ferry takes 25 minutes to central. then you can get bus/minibus/taxi/mtr to wan chai. MANY people in db work in wanchai and further afield. at rush hour in the mornings the ferries run every 12 minutes. this gradually decreases to every 30 minutes during the day, then at rush hour in the evening it's usually every 10-20 minutes.

some people moan about getting the ferry. i never found it to be a problem. in the morning it is a great way to start. you can drink your coffee, read your paper or even catch a few more zzzzzzzzzzz's. in the evening you can chat to friends, drink a beer or read your book. it's built-in wind down time. to tell the truth, now that i'm driving everywhere, i REALLY miss the ferry. it was time that i could have just to myself. now, i don't get that. also, you don't have to worry about traffic. there aren't any traffic jams when you are on the ferry. driving now, i have to build-in at least 15-20 minutes extra into travel time in case i hit traffic.

[mjk]

Budget is roughly in the 60000 HKD range.

...there seems to be nothing that normal people can afford.

Do you mean you have 60K to spend on rent? That would already be more than normal people have.

[carang]

ps> our budget was 1/3 of what yours is.

[brikka]

We'll move in HK in April (2008).
Last week we were there for a discovery trip and we decided that Cyberport is ok for us.
Ther rent is high but if you have 60.000HK$ to spend, you can find a good flat!

[PDLM]

Either the Hongkongers are nuts or everyone there makes loads of cash but there seems to be nothing that normal people can afford.

The average household income in Hong Kong is around HK$20000 per month total. HK$60000 for rent puts you in the top 5% I would say.

[kiffguy]

Hello,

1. which are the suitable areas that can be considered. So far, online I have checked places like Midlevels, Wanchai, Happy Valley and Taikoo Shing. Either the Hongkongers are nuts or everyone there makes loads of cash but there seems to be nothing that normal people can afford.

2. Are the prices online just a front and as in all things Asian, if one is expected to bargain?

No, the prices are what they are. There is a reason why Hong Kong has the most expensive property in the world. You can wiggle a little, but we managed to negotiate a total of $1000 per month off the listed price for our apartment and after that it was 'take it or leave it'.

You should definitely stay in a serviced place first before you settle on a place. I find the pictures on Web sites are very deceptive. Also, the square footage normally includes non-liveable areas like elevator shafts and entrance lobbies. For a family, I think Parkview would have big enough serviced apartments (although personally I find something about Parkview a bit 'depressing' - maybe it is the resort-feel). If you are coming on your own first, you can get a really nice serviced bachelor studio in Sheung Wan, Central or Wan Chai.

But as others have said, for $60k/month you will find something really nice.

We are a family of two adults and a baby and we found a really amazing place in Pokfulam. Older blocks, more spacious but with no facilities like the modern buildings have. It all swings in roundabouts I suppose.

[U Boot]

yep 60K is definitely loads of money. But as someone once said, it takes 2 fools to make a deal, one to make the price and another to agree. Considering the exorbitence of HK, I say, there ain´t no shortage.
Anyway, I think one of those appartments that come with pools, tennis courts gyms etc would be where I am tending too. For kids, it´s just a stones throw and I have heard that public pools are an "acquired" taste. Any suggestions?

Cheers
U Boot