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Moving to Hong Kong - advice on accommodation, please

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  1. #1

    Moving to Hong Kong - advice on accommodation, please

    Firstly, I was delighted to find this website - I hope that you will bear with me as this is my first post and it will no doubt repeat material already on this website but it would be fantastic to get a response which is tailored to my specific circumstances.

    I have been offered a job in Hong Kong - the office is in Admiralty. I am looking for suitable accommodation and want to spend between HK$15,000 and HK$21,500/month. Ideally, I would spend $20,000/ month and this would cover electricity (air-conditioning) and water costs as well.

    Can anyone suggest a suitable location?

    I would be interested to know what expenses are incurred when renting on a long term basis. I have read articles about an agency fee? Is this negotiable? Ideally, I would like to sign up to a 6 month lease only. Most of the flats on the websites of the HK estate agents seem to have been on there for months and seem not to reflect the true picture - are there any good estate agents that you can recommend to assist with my search?

    I would also consider serviced apartments. Does anyone know anything about Vega Suites in Tseung Kwan O - as it is right above the MTR station, this should be a fairly good commute to work?

    I am obviously tempted to live in Mid-levels for the convenience factor but I think I would be happier in a larger, modern complex with clubhouse and swimming pools, etc.

    I look forward to hearing from anyone!!

    Many thanks in advance.


  2. #2

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    Moving to Hong Kong - advice on accommodation, please

    Quote Originally Posted by JonathanM:

    I have been offered a job in Hong Kong - the office is in Admiralty. I am looking for suitable accommodation and want to spend between HK$15,000 and HK$21,500/month. Ideally, I would spend $20,000/ month and this would cover electricity (air-conditioning) and water costs as well.

    Can anyone suggest a suitable location?
    You can live nearish to Central in that budget in a shoebox. You can go to the end of the Island (North Point) or over on Kowloon side (Tseung Kwan O) and get a lot more space. Depends what you want to compromise -space vs whatever people get from living in Midlevels.


    Quote Originally Posted by JonathanM:
    I would be interested to know what expenses are incurred when renting on a long term basis. I have read articles about an agency fee? Is this negotiable? Ideally, I would like to sign up to a 6 month lease only. Most of the flats on the websites of the HK estate agents seem to have been on there for months and seem not to reflect the true picture - are there any good estate agents that you can recommend to assist with my search?
    Rental agreements here are for 2 years. You cannot move out within the first 12 months, after that it is 1 months notice or 1 month in leiu.


    The up front costs are 2months deposit, 1/2 month agents fees (you can try to negotiate but don't expect much if anything) and you first months rent = 3.5 months rent up front. You will also have a deposit for the electricity of a few hundred.

    Hong Kong property sites are indicative at best. Most properties on there will be strangely unavailable if you enquire. Decide on your area and walk into the local estate agents and ask in person.

    Quote Originally Posted by JonathanM:
    I would also consider serviced apartments. Does anyone know anything about Vega Suites in Tseung Kwan O - as it is right above the MTR station, this should be a fairly good commute to work?

    I am obviously tempted to live in Mid-levels for the convenience factor but I think I would be happier in a larger, modern complex with clubhouse and swimming pools, etc.
    Tseung Kwan O is ok for a commute, 25-35 mins depending on time of day. You get much more apartment for your money and it is handy to some nice beaches / hiking.

    No idea of Vega quality sorry.
    Last edited by kimwy66; 02-06-2014 at 08:15 PM.
    JonathanM likes this.

  3. #3

    Kimwy66 - thank you so much for your analysis. I particularly like your comment

    whatever people get from living in Midlevels

  4. #4

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    Vegas suites are fine, my parents have stayed there a couple of times. The photos on the website are representative of the rooms we saw.

    I've had agents knock a couple of thousand off their fee, depends on your relationship with them.


  5. #5

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    Tseung Kwan O sounds like a good choice.

    Other possible areas with large modern complexes would be Kowloon Station (expensive) and Olympic.

    Oh yeah - you could consider Tiu Keng Leng as well - Metro Town is a large complex also just above the station.

    Last edited by jmbf; 02-06-2014 at 10:50 PM.