Posted by
mcr
18 yrs ago
Thanks for all the great suggestions on villages to live in!
Here's a logistics question: if we start in August and get our work visas then, what are our chances of getting a place leased in the next few weeks (without paying rent!) for August. We are back to Canada for the summer, but would like to come to HK with a house waiting!
How do we go about starting our search? We live across the border in GZ so could come up on a weekend to do some hunting.
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Well I dont think the chance is zero but it depends on what exactly timing do you mean. If you want to fix everything in June (got the house waiting for you from August without paying the rent until then) then I second IslandHopper that the chance is almost zero (but you wl never know). Houses here come n go quicky so landlords are unlikely waiting for you, unless their houses are hard to rent. But having said that.. how about... you adjust your summer dates a little bit. It is not uncommon to have 7-14 days free rent period if you sign the lease agreement with the landlord (and pay 2+1 months rent), which means the house can be ready for you from Mid July but your rent only starts from August. But by all means try to house hunt and negotiate now, especially village houses are more flexible than a managed building. From the landlord's point of view, it is very important for us to find tenants who pay their rent on time without 'reminding'. If your payment is a bank's SI, it is definitely a plus point. Good luck.
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mcr
18 yrs ago
Thanks all. We certainly would be reliable tenants and could put the money upfront. I guess I was thinking that many people's leases must end at beginning of August so even if they are still occupied, landlord's would let people look and then sign a lease a few months in advance so they always have tenants and rent. It seems it would be in their best interests.
Since we are putting all of our stuff from China in storage for the summer it would be very helpful to know what size of place we will be getting, etc so we'll know what to sell, keep, etc. I'm just putting my good energy out there and expecting the best.
We have two young daughters and quality of life is a huge consideration in us wanting to live more "rurally" rather than in a highrise even if it means a bit longer of a commute. That's my only concern about some of the more remote villages - that my younger daughter not yet in school might not have social opportunities during the day other than with her dh, and getting her into a playgroup or half day preschool would also be a bit of a challenge. That's one of the reasons I'm quite inclined to find something within walking distance to Sai Kung or even in Sai Kung.
All and any suggestions appreciated. This is a great board and people are full of fabulous ideas! I wish we had such an active group online here in Guangzhou. I think I'm going to love living in HK - I've loved visiting it for years!
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Definately have a look at Symphony Bay. It is between Ma On Shan and Sai Kung, and is low rise with great facilities, small beaches within walking distance and lovely landscaped garden areas with playgrounds. Great natural feel.
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Sai Kung is not the only place to look. I would suggest looking at the Tai Po area. Outside Tai Po on one side is the Tai Mei Tuk reservoir, which is a great natural area. Outside Tai Po on the other side is Lam Kam road (Lam Tsuen area) which is right next to Hong Lok Yuen (a very pricey western style gated residential area with western houses). The rents for floors of village apartments here are very cheap- depending on your deal, as cheap as just over $4k for about 700 sq ft (I'd imagine pricier for newer places). Although I don't have any kids, I have friends in this area who do and who've been able to find playgroups for their children that they really like.
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mcr
18 yrs ago
We are hoping to keep within a 10,000 or so budget. The reservoir area sounds interesting as does the Lam Kam area, especially given the prices. If sweetheart is in Maonshan and I am in Taipo area, would that work? I am not familiar with this are of HK.
As for Symphony Bay, where is it and is within our price range?
Thanks a bunch!
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566
18 yrs ago
yes, Tai Po and MaOnShan would work - 15-20mins by car
Lam Tsuen Valley nr Tai Po has lots of houses that might be suitable for you but I think it would be unlikely that you could find a house and not pay for it - worth asking though, you never know
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You can get easily to train stations (Tai Po Market or Tai Wo) from both places by mini buses so Maonshan or yourself are of no problem at all. There is one playgroup/nursery in Lam Tsuen and one playgroup which belongs to Hong Lok Yuen International School. My daughter attended both when she was younger and they were both good.
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", what are our chances of getting a place leased in the next few weeks (without paying rent!) for August."
My "rule of HK leasing": 2 weeks to find and sign, 2 months to move in. Sure, it can often happen faster, but you never know. Many (most?) landlords will not renovate the apartment until the contract is signed.
As mentioned the chances of paying zero are, well, zero.
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mcr
18 yrs ago
I don't mean not paying - I mean finding a place, paying for the first and last month's rent, but not signing the contract until August. We would like to have already found a place before we move there so we can move in. Here's hoping...
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190k
18 yrs ago
Have a look at Fairview Park. House with garden, club house (extra but special rates for rental tenants) with pool etc
good town centre with all amenities food court, Park'n Shop, 7-11, O-K, wet market, post office etc including playgroups and kintergartens big communal play ground more and more expats each month.
excellent feeder busses to central (25 min) kowloon (20 min) Tsing Yi (20 mins).
Good security and rubbish collection twice per day
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