Posted by
EK/A
11 yrs ago
My husband and I (no kids yet) have just moved to HK from the UK and are staying in Wanchai (johnston rd). We really like the area, and we have got to know some of the shops and cafes. Our apartment search has narrowed down to two locations, Wanchai and Mid levels.
We keep on being told to move to mid levels, as it is more prestigious and there are more expats. I am not sure, as there is no MTR and all the hills seem like a pain.. and I like the mix of life and the liveliness that Wanchai has.
In reality we've not been here long enough to know either area, so any advice would be welcome!
(we will both work in central)
Thanks in advance
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I would stay in the Wanch, if you like it now, why move away, just for "prestige" and because there are more expats around in Mid-Levels?
You will certainly learn a lot more about the real Hong Kong if you stay where you are.
Are you on a rental allowance? It will go further where you are, I would guess.
Lots of restaurants, cafes, bars etc within walking distance. What's not to like?
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I would agree that where you are living is a great area (I living just off Johnston rd) but have a look at Star street, Monmouth terrace, Kennedy road and Shui Fai Terrace. They are all close enough to walk down to Wanchai. Kennedy road you can go down via the hopewell centre lift.The only reason I say this is that, it is less busy and a bit quieter.
If you post a target price on here you will be surprised at the amount of recommendations you will get.
Having said that if you are happy where you are stay and use your lease period to look at the areas you may like of the type of flat you want.
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I lived in Kennedy Road for a few years, frankly I would have preferred somewhere in the Wanch, but in those days there was very little expat type accomodation. The buzz is what makes Hong Kong. Earplugs and eyeshades, if you cannot sleep!
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EK/A
11 yrs ago
Thanks for the replies and advice everyone. yes we have rental allowance, enough for a fairly decent 2-3 bedroom flat in both places.
Our concerns have come our estate agent (a local) trying to be helpful and telling us we should go for the midlevels so we would be with more expats and 'not isolated', and that the place we're looking at in Wanchai would be too 'chinese' for us. We've not been here long enough to know if this is a genuine concern - we would like to socialise and meet people, and are not sure if living in Wanchai will be a problem. Transport in HK seems really good, and we'd be close to the MTR station.
Also, for those who do live in midlevels - is the escalator ok in the summer? We've got a friend who lives here who says that being outside in July/August, even for 5 mins, is unbearable. The few times i've been on the escalator it seems hotter than the street, as the plastic roof magnifies the heat?? Is it cooled in the summer?
Thanks again everyone
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Ed
11 yrs ago
I am partial to Happy Valley... feels like a proper neighbourhood...
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At the end of the day, what really counts is the quality of your accomodation, all the locations mentioned are pretty handy, and all have their good and less good points. Make your decision on the property that is available in your price bracket, issues like noise, etc, are a factor of course. Chineseness? In Hong Kong? Wow, whatever next. Actually, there are probably as many Chinese in Mid-Levels, comparatively, as anywhere else, pretty much.
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fook lam moon is on johnston road.
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Although I'm partial to Pokfulam, I have to admit I lived my first 8 years here in Mid-Levels and thoroughly loved it. What changed for me was gaining the confidence to live outside the protective bubble of Mid-Levels. I now live in a huge Pokfulam apartment with a spectacular sea view and very easy transportation. I also have a grocery store within walking distance, movie theatres, restaurants and bus terminus all at Cyberport -- all a huge plus. But I have to say that I see many advantages to staying in WanChai or moving to Mid-Levels, but don't discount branching out to someplace like Pokfulam -- Bel Air or Baguio Villa, both in particular. They both have very easy transportation to Central, Stanley, Causeway Bay, North Point and Kowloon. Good luck. I'm sure you will be happy in whatever area you choose.
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EK/A
11 yrs ago
Thanks everyone - will go for Wanchai at first and then see. May move further out for more space once our first contract can be terminated.
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190k
11 yrs ago
Woods99
What is the real HK if you think Wanchai and Mid levels are it then I suggest you buy a MTR ticket and see the rest of the REAL HK
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190k,
What's the bee in your bonnet? I came to HK before the MTR, for your information, and I would guess that I know more about it than most people, particularly expatriates, do.
Read my post again. Do you really disagree that an expat might learn more about the real Hong Kong if they live in Wanchai, than if they live in an expat enclave somewhere in Mid-Levels?
Then again, some people are obviously incapable of learning anything useful.
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