Posted by
KKG
18 yrs ago
Hi Folks,
we are young couples moving to HK in Mid July. I will work at Central with my office close to Central MTR station. Do you think we can find a place meeting the following criteria:
1. budget: 15000 +/- 20%
2. 700-800 sf, quiet and lovely neighbourhood
3. Close to supermarket, restaurants, Park/ Greens
4. less than 20min communication to Central by MTR or community shuttle bus (no weather sensitive public transportation such as ferry boat)
5. Gym and/or swimming pool
Are happy valley and mid-levels good choices?
Thanks
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KKG
18 yrs ago
Walkup, Saikunga and Vantastic,
Thank you so much for your help.
Actually, I am prepared to compromise on something, e.g. I am ok with a smaller place, but prefer quiet and lovely neighbourhood, close to supermarket/ restaurants, and at least walking distance to park/ greens. Location and transportation will be essential.
In addition, what could be the reality for housing at Mid-levels or Happy Valley? I heard that Kennedy Town and Sheung Wan is a lovely place. But worried a little bit about transportation since no MTR yet.
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ldavy
18 yrs ago
There is an MTR station at Sheung Wan, just not in Kennedy Town.
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KKG
18 yrs ago
So would you suggest Sheung Wan or Kennedy Town?
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discovery bay - 25 minutes on the ferry, nice and quiet, restaurants, supermarket, swimming pool and gym. 900 sq ft with balcony is around 9,000 per month. I've lived in DB for 5 years and never had a problem with the ferry stopping due to the weather.
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I agree with walkup - for that budget you would be looking at pretty rundown places without ammenities in mid levels and happy valley.You need to compromise on size, budget, quality or location.
Have you had a look at the Zenith on Queen's Rd East in Wanchai? It's a new development - which means there will be tons of apartments out for rent ie you will have the upper hand in bargaining plus plenty of choice.
It's right on the edge of the hustle and bustle that makes Wanchai but 15 min walk up Wanchai Gap Rd (opposite the entrance) and you will hit the greenery of Bowen Rd be in a completely different world - clean air, spectacular views of HK with small parks and a flat paved rd perfect for rollerblading, cycling or jogging.
Queen's Rd East area is ultra convenient, you have MTR access (3-4 min walk) and buses at the door to Causeway Bay, Stanley, Repulse Bay and the Peak.
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jeff your really flogging Gold Coast you got shares in them or something
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KKG
18 yrs ago
Vantasic, thanks for information. I couldn't open the photo link that you sent me. (maybe due to my remote access from Europe) Even the main website doesn't work. Will be grateful if you could kindly advise or send some photo to my email address. Thanks
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KKG
18 yrs ago
Aussie,
thanks for your information. Zenith sounds good to me. Could you please provide more information, such as how I can further explore and who I can contact to view the place etc. Thanks
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ldavy
18 yrs ago
KKG,
For that budget you could get a flat in The Merton in Kennedy Town, but smaller than you'd like - around 600 sq ft. The Merton is new, each flat has a balcony and a lot of them have sea views. It has a gym and a pool.
As mentioned before, there's no MTR at Kennedy Town but there are buses into Central. A friend of mine was living there for a while and he told me it took about 25 minutes to get into Central in the mornings.
There's a pretty good supermarket in a complex called The Belcher's, about 15 minutes' walk from The Merton.
I would say the area's pretty quiet, although you're not near to any parks. But HK is quite small and it isn't difficult to get to a park or green area at the weekends.
I don't know that there is anything available at The Zenith yet - the developer is Chinese Estates Holdings, and on their website they have flats for sale but not for lease. Of course someone who has bought a flat from them might want to rent it out, but so far I haven't seen any advertised.
I suggest that when you get here you allocate a few days, if possible, to travel around and look at the different areas. You might decide that you'd be willing to take a boat each day after all, in which case you could look at Discovery Bay where you can get more for your money - and it's greener and quieter over there.
I'll send you a personal message if I have any other suggestions.
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ldavy
18 yrs ago
KKG,
I have now sent you a personal message.
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vantastic
Those pictures you have posted are amazing! I have been to Hong Kong before but....
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First check out the area to see if you like it. Hustle and bustle of Wanchai is not everyone's cup of tea but for that IS Hong Kong.
Also try the walk up Wan Chai gap road. It's probably Wanchai's best kept secret. It's a damn steep walk but it takes you to the nicest places on HK island. First stop is Bowen rd which is a flat paved road with no cars that goes from Central mid-levels to the back of Happy Valley - has lots of (small) parks along the way.
If you keep going up you hit Stubbs Rd - lot's of nice parks and can link onto the HK trail (famous hiking trail that goes from the Peak to Shek-O).
If you are interested in the Zenith go to any real estate agent in Wanchai - it's a new development so there will be hundreds on the mkt. See and pick what you like then bargain bargain and bargain b/c you certainly have the upper hand. Standard commisions are 1/2 mths rent and for this hefty fee you will get plenty of choice. If you want to save on this then search this and other expat website for listings etc. Just type in Zenith and hit search - but don't skip the agent step b/c that will give you an eye opener as to what's available.
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KKG
18 yrs ago
Aussie, thanks for your candid advice. I will definitely check it out and enjoy the bargaining part.
BTW, someone told me that Zenith is a place "quiet" and away from Wan Chai's hustle and bustle although the wet market is still in the walking distance. Is that true?
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ldavy
18 yrs ago
In a way, yes. The main "hustle and bustle" of Wanchai is a couple of streets away. But it's on (or part of it's on) Queen's Road East, which is a busy road. Having said that, I lived in a building on Queen's Road East for a couple of years and didn't find it particularly noisy as the traffic is mainly during the day.
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tgm
18 yrs ago
Most of above suggestions are on HK Island. With a fairly limited budget you may need to look around, which perhaps means getting temporary accomodation to begin with and then looking for apartment when you get here.
Some areas of Kowloon may suit you better, e.g. the area around Ho Man Tin; there are some less expensive apartments, relatively quiet area but only 5 minutes to the bustle of the street markets and about 20 mins to Central on the MTR. I have a friend living there who's renting a 1200 sq foot, 3 b/room apartment for 14k including rates and management. Older building, no club facilities etc, but has the benefit of higher ceilings and feels more spacious than a lot of HK apartments. Half of the flats also have decent size balconies.
Another option if it has to be HK Island is a walk up building - i rented a place in mid-levels for a couple of years, but those 5 storeys in the middle of summer can be hot work..!
Lots of options, but with your budget you really need to look when you get here to ensure you get something you like. Good luck.
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JenV
18 yrs ago
I've come in on this thread a little late, however we've just leased an apartment in mid-levels for 21k. we found some older style in Mosque st for $15k that were renovated through this site. Just need to keep your eyes peeled. Can get great views adn quick access to the peak trails. V close to central. we love it!
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Hi KKG - As you can see each person's personal prefences are different. The Zenith in Wanchai is definitely in the quiter area of Wanchai and the wet market is literally at the back door (the exit to block 3 is on the street that the wet markets start). If the wet market is not your fancy there is a Parknshop superstore less than 200m up along Queen's rd East. Within a 300m radius you have the MTR and many great places to eat including Fat Angelos, Deli France, Starbucks, Pacific Coffee, Mcdonalds, Pizza Hut, Cafe Decoral etc plus the cheap eats that make Wanchai famous. In addition you have all the major banks, prestigious schools, hiking trails all easily accessible.
If you are interested in the zenith and want to save on agent commissions drop me a PM.
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Go for Kennedy Town for sure.
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