Clearwater/Sai Kung Renting

Hello fellow xpats :D


I've been keeping and eye on the forums for the last month, but this is my first post. I have a ton of questions, but I wanted to ask this first.


I am moving to HK at the end of the month, and I am trying to decide where to focus my rental energy.


With everything I have read it seems like Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay are the main places I would like to focus my energy, but let me give you a couple of details and get some feedback.


I am moving by myself and would like to find a small place (studio or 1 bedroom) semi-furnished that is near an MTR station but outside of downtown. Moving from LA I like the city, but would prefer to live outside of the madness and don't mind the commute.


I am only just learning some Cantonese and don't know much, so I want to make sure that I have English options wherever I am.


Lastly, I want to keep the expense low; preferably HK 6K or lower.


That should be enough to get things going, but feel free to ask questions. I have looked for rental websites other than the expat ones, but have struggled a bit for things outside the downtown area in my price range. So any suggestions there or agents I might be able to contact that would take me in the right direction would much appreciated as well.


Thanks!

Moved to property

It really depends where you are working Sai Kung town is about 1/2 hour to the closest MTR station. Some villages in Sai Kung are another 1/2 hour to town. Clearwater Bay is a bit more convenient to HK Island through Hang Hau but you will have a hard time finding a rental unit at $6K month you may want to start in a share flat on offer here on this site.

I'll be working mainly in Mongkok but sometimes will be working on HK island. I have no problems with a 30 minute commute. I can always use bus or mini-bus to get in to town, it certainly doesn't have to be the MTR. I knew that Clearwater bay would be harder to get the cheaper place but would be more convenient. I guess I would really like to get a definitive comparison; i.e. Sai Kung = 30 min bus commute and 6K rental price / Clearwater Bay = 10 min MTR and 8K rental price. I'm just throwing out numbers, but if anybody can give me solid numbers that would be great :D


Ultimately though, I really need to find a place for 7K or less. Does not have to be a 1 bedroom, does not have to be furnished. I really just wanted to see what I could get for that price and would prefer being able to leave behind the city life at the end of the day :)

Share a two bedroom flat with someone in Sai Kung or CWB is better however that commute to Mong Kok may be more like 45 mins to one hour if you have too move from a bus to MTR to get there.


There are a couple of options if you want to look for something for yourself only but likely 8-10K/month. There are a few serviced apartments in both Ma On Shan and the Gold Coast which run shuttle buses included to MTR stn. Ma On Shan to Mongkok like 25 mins, GC to Mong Kok 30 mins.

Great information so far everyone! Thanks so much :)


DaHKGkid: I had heard about Gold Coast as another option of similar type, but I had also heard through forums and the grapevine that GC tended to be a little crazy with insanely large families moving into small apartments above you, etc. Nonsense?


I'd like to keep my commute low, but I really want to live outside of the main city. 30 minutes to an hour doesn't seem to bad of a commute to me for the trade off in expense and living space. Any other places I might want to look at?

You could look at Hang Hau or Tseung Kwan O. Near the MTR, but close to Clearwater Bay for hiking and beaches at weekends. Could definately get 700sf in Sai Kung for your budget, but would have a longer commute. Maybe also look at Pik Uk, or the many other villages along the Clearwater Bay rd, a short bus ride to Choi Hung, then MTR.

Hi,


I'm also looking please contact me on sg195@hotmail.com


Thanks.


Stephen.