Archive for November, 2011

• HK LIFE – Flat-hunting Tips for Hong Kong

  Date: 2011.11.05 | Category: Living in HK | Response: 0

  As land is scarce, HK is home to the world’s most expensive property rental market. Whilst most ex-pats opt for the traditional HK Island-side haunts around the central business district, those on more modest budgets will find better value and larger options on Kowloon-side and in the New Territories. Liveable shoebox apartments will start at around HK$5,000pm, though – for a decent area and a more civilised measure of floor space – it’s best to aim more towards HK$10-15,000pm. A good starting point for gauging what your money gets you is gohome.com.hk which details rents, floor space and photographs posted by local property agents. [Those on more generous ex-pat packages may prefer the options listed at the bottom of the page, where rents begin more around the HK$50,000pm mark.]

  A wide range of residential options….

  • Most buildings in Kowloon and HK Island comprise of small flats constructed between the 70s and 90s – usually unfurnished with simple, usually tiled, decoration.
  • There is a glut of newer, self-sufficient residential developments (often with club houses and pools). Micheal Wolf has a collection of mind-bending photographs of HK’s high density living arrangements, though foreigners often find such developments soulless, devoid of character and somewhat akin to holiday camps. There are often many different price ranges within the same complex.
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