Best strategy for finding an apt

echeung81 · 15-08-2009, 01:20 AM

Hi,

I'm a late 20's single guy moving from the US to Hong Kong this September to attend class, and I've got a week to find housing (will be staying in a hotel in the interim). I plan to hit the pavement and go apartment scouting during that week. What's the best way strategy to nail down potential apartments so I can maximize my time during that week? Are there some real estate agents or websites I could look into?

Some more info about what I'm looking for:
-a 3 to 8 month lease.
-I want to be 'close to the action': So are the 'Midlevels/Sheung Wan/Wanchai/CausewayBay' areas a good fit?
-Prefer to pay no more then 11-12k/ month.
-Actually will be attending school in Shatin...but I want to experience the hustle and bustle..at least for a little bit

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Edward

0ze_Kid · 15-08-2009, 05:15 AM

If you have not been or lived in HK before I would recommend a serviced apartment for a month or two until you settle and decide what area is best for you.

As a rule I pick an area, Hung Hom for example, then look at the apartments online, check out buildings that people talk about on the forums and what the facilities in the area are like and then have an agent show me around for one or two days. Then I pick the apartment based on what I have seen. I spend no more than two days looking otherwise you end up seeing the same thing over and over and not really getting anywhere.

I recently looked at 10 apartments in two hours, ranked them, made an offer on two and got the one I wanted. All done and signed within 6 days (including a weekend).

DanielV · 15-08-2009, 07:46 AM

I agree. For a short stay as you propose, a serviced apartment is the way to go. Pick up a copy of "HK Magazine" or either of the local English language newspapers to find ads. You might also check:

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PDLM · 15-08-2009, 11:26 AM

You're going to have a very limited choice for such a short stay - most landlords want a minimum 12 month lease, so I agree that a serviced apartment is probably the way to go (for the entire period). Not least because you wouldn't want to be buying a load of furniture for that period either (and fully furnished lets aren't the norm either).

echeung81 · 18-08-2009, 05:31 AM

Thanks for the advice. Are there any serviced apts in the 11-12k range you guys would recommend? Would it be harder to find one in that price range on HK island?

MovingIn07 · 18-08-2009, 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by echeung81:

Thanks for the advice. Are there any serviced apts in the 11-12k range you guys would recommend? Would it be harder to find one in that price range on HK island?

I don't know of any (except the gold coast, which does not fit your location) that cheap and certainly not on the Island.

Given your needs, perhaps a flatshare with another student makes more sense?