Posted by
ian_hk
15 yrs ago
I hope someone can advise me please.
I move to HK from London this month for a three year posting.
I know that I need to live in Midlevels or Happy Valley area but there seem to be "good" and "bad" areas within them, same as any other place in the world.
As I have to start work from day 1, I hope someone can point me in the right direction. This is my scenario:
Early 30's, single but want two bedrooms so people can visit
Monthly budget up to 40k max
Want fairly easy access to restaurants, sports complexes and work (Pacific Place)
Want modern unfurnished apartment 800 sq ft minimum with a view.
Ideally in an area of similarly placed expats
I read on this forum that Midlevels is overpopulated and "not what it used to be" and that now Happy Valley is better, can I take this as gospel?
Thanks for any replies !!
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I've been in HK for 16 years and lived in Mid-levels and close to Happy Valley - and I'd take that 'Mid-levels ain't what it used to be' with a large pinch of salt. If you are new to HK then Mid-levels makes more sense as there are many more young people there and it's more convenient. Happy Valley has a pleasant villagey feel to it but by comparison to the Mid-levels/SOHO area it is very quiet and the transport is poor. There is good building on Caine Road (Mid-levels) called Cameo Court (no I don't own there and I'm not an agent) and I would recommend you get an agent to take you to look at it before you commit to anywhere else. It is not a great building nor the most modern but the lay-out is very efficient. Also the hill slopes down quite dramatically on the north side of Caine Road which means you get quite a dramatic view over HK so - unlike many buildings further up on the more prestigious and expensive roads such as Robinson Road and Conduit Road where the density is higher - it is less claustrophobic. I think that should be in your range but haven't tried to rent there for donkeys'.
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AA
15 yrs ago
I have lived in both and agree that Mid-Levels would be better for you-try Hollywood Road, good access to bars and you can walk to work when its cooler.
HV is nice and I like living here but after 20 years in ML I miss the convenience of gym,esclator etc.. all invaluable when I first moved here
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actually this is a no-brainer if your work location is pacific place: like joe said, i would pick starcrest/star street.
really up and coming with restaurants, bars and all. 3 mins walk to work but good transport access to central LKF/Soho if needed. has all the facilities and is probably even better value for money (not sure it's still like that because it's so popular these days)
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He probably doesn't want to live at work and although Star Street is 'up and coming' it is a) very expensive and b) not the most pleasant environment. Also, if he's in his 30s he can potter about Mid-levels at the weekend and meet lots of pretty women.
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Why not start in a serviced apartment for a month or two, settle in to Hong Kong and then make a more informed decision.
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Completely agree with Lloyd. Happy Valley is a great area, but the transportation can be a bit of a pain, especially when it's race days. In my opinion, it has to be Mid-Levels, especially for a single person. He can walk to work if he wants to, walk to Central, all the bars and restaurants in Soho, Lan Kwai Fong area, explore the art galleries on Hollywood Road, Man Mo Temple (all walking distance).
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All this info is FANTASTIC!!!
Thanks to all!
My company have put me up at a place called Garden East for a few weeks whilst I find somewhere, I dont know a thing about it but Im sure its going to be ok.
So, based on you comments, I have narrowed my search down to just ML.
Cookie09 - thanks for the idea of Starcrest but I dont want to be that close to the office :)
Re Caine Road - there are pros and cons - seems to be centered on the "noise issue" - in your experience does a higher floor get you away from the noise and pollution?
I need a good gym and to be able to run - is the area around Caine Road to busy to run on?
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I'd suggest Hillsborough Court on Old Peak Road.
Beautiful view.....gym/pool
Peaceful.
A hop, skip or jump away from central
800 sq feet - for about 35000-.
Lots of young singles/couples..
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LLH
15 yrs ago
Fos singles, ML is better. Convenient to LKF, Soho, Wyndham, gyms, and also Peak where you can hike or jog to/ from. Escalator is convenient. Suggest you view a few at Robinson road and Conduit road. Your rental allowance can certainly get you a unit there and it is quiet, with a view and convenient mini bus to take you down to Central. Hillsborough is lovely but check out the "energy" there...
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LLH - I'd be interested to know what 'energy'? Lived there 5 years and loved it, but now moved to a larger apartment........but am looking to buy there.......so would like to know what you mean by 'energy'. tks
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Hillsborough is nice but may be too quiet for a young single?? Nothing much within walking distance...
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Update
Been here a couple days now - hey guys thanks for all the advice!
viewed several around central ML but my first impression as a newby here in HK is that its highly compressed living. I have upped my monthly budget to 45k ish but not seen anything in that central area that turns me on. I want to be able to breath a little!!
I will try further up the hill !
Any other suggestions where I can still access the nightlife easily but have a little more living space?
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"Highly compressed living" pretty much defines HK. :)
If you want more breathing room, you can look in Shouson Hill or Pok Fu Lam. It only takes 15-20 minutes to get to Central and Wan Chai. You won't be able to walk to nightlife but it is hardly a long way.
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&&&
15 yrs ago
Posted recently in all local media that if and when pollution gets worse, govt is considering banning all School Sports classes. Go figure. If you run along Caine rd, you will be inhaling not only HK's own garden variety smock, but freshly delivered - in your face - from bus, minibus, cars, about 7 ft from your body.
I'd wear a mask even sauntering speed on Caine Rd. The only running you can do is on Bowen Rd, or the Park opposite Macdonnell Rd.
With your budet, what about Macdonnell Rd ? That to me makes better sense, for a person who wants to run. (Bowen Is just one street up, a lot more pricey).
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Thanks &&&
checking it out tomorrow !
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Try Tin Hau, near to Victoria Park, HK Central Library, Park and Shop, Wellcome, & MTR, There's a lot of nice restaurant around Tin Hau Electric Road, like Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Indian and Western ( Savoye). You can enjoy the pleasant uphill walk or jog to Braemar Hill. Your 40 K will give you a lot of space. Go to a local real state agent and use a local person or atleast asian so they would'nt take advantage of you (I'm not saying they will but some will take the opportunity to gain more profit than helping you). My husband is American and I'm asian everytime we have to deal with moving apartment I deal with the inquiry and pricing first and I only bring my husband when its time to view the place. And believe me I always get a good deal. By the way the nearest hospital is Saint Paul (not as good as Adventist Hospital but reasonable and very good too...) If you decided to live in Tin Hau, well then WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBOuRHOOD!
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omega
15 yrs ago
Robinson Place on Robinson Road. Most units are 3 BHK but there are 2 BHK units in Tower 1. You should be able to get something there well below 40K. The building has a great management ( Jones Lang LaSalle), fantastic and well-maintained facilities - gym,tennis , squash courts, pool, bus stops and supermarkets close by plus a shuttle bus to Admiralty from where you can easily walk to Pacific Place.I used to live there when we lived in HK and still miss it :-(
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klbl
15 yrs ago
I would suggest Center Stage, its located in Hollywood road. A friend lives there and I find the building quite modern and sleek. Dont' know how big their flats are but the one I've seen has two rooms, decent space; plus they a have a nice swimming pool and other facilities,u should check it out. Another option (if you want to breath) is Kennedy Town, little bit further from Admiralty and Central but the area offers more nature around. Hope it helps!
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Agree with babeybibobu. A friend lived in Tin Hau - Dragon Court or Garden maybe? She moved to HV but misses the old neighbourhood. Center Stage is style over substance- terrible efficiency, tiny bedrooms, awful little mini-kitchens.
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klbl
15 yrs ago
Mmmh, strange, I have never seen the "awful mini-kitchens" at Center stage (Maybe they have different flat sizes) Anyway, it doesn't hurt to check it out. I work in Pacific Place as well and it takes me 15 min max to arrive from that area. Gym is around the corner.
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I wouldn't automatically rule out a single bedroom place. When I first rented in Midlevels I inisted on a 2 bedroom place for exacly your reasons - wanted a guest room. The reality was that the number of times that the extra room was used didn't justify the amount of space it took up. Remember, in HK on a budget space is everything!
I then lived in a spacious, single beroom serviced apartment and that changed my views - I would much rather have the extra living space than waste the space on a seldom used room. When visitors stayed over, I slept on the sleeper couch and it was no issue for a couple of nights. There is a tendency in a lot of buildings in HK to squeeze as many rooms into a tiny space as possible, and none of them are really useable.
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gdep
15 yrs ago
Hanlun Habitats on Mosque Street... Very quiet.. and higher floors will have harbour view.. You should also get something on Conduit road (furnished aptmt). Scenic Heights, Vantage park, Scenecliff (quiet and great building)
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Thanks to all the very valuable input and comments. It really helped!
I have now done the deal on a place between Robinson Road and Conduit St
I hope it was the right choice!
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