[animalmom]

I looked at lots of apartments in pokfulam, ,midlevels, happy valley and south side so i thought I'd put my thoughts in written form in case anyone ever needs to do the same sort of search (50-60k).

These are just my opinions and may not be the same impressions as you YMMV

Pokfulam - looked at Bel Air - obviously very nice but the apartments have no storage or closets, when I say none I mean none - this was quite common in new buildings I found but it is if course, retarded.

After putting in storage units and bookshelves etc the rooms would be tiny - not even sure you could fit a decent sized bed in the smaller rooms - I looked at a phase three 3 bedroom - nicely fitted of course - the facilities are out of this world

Belchers - no ovens in the kitchens - I looked at like 3 units and they were all not very nice - if the unit hasnt been renovated they are getting towards where they need to be. Very fast trip to central but overall wasnt impressed by the building or the units I saw, of course no storage.

Happy Valley

Looked at a place called leighton court or something - very nice facilities and the apartment was nice too - overlooked the race track - I think it would be a nice place to live and migth have gone for it - it was more expensive than others of the same size/quality

Mid-Levels

I looked at a lot of places here and ended up (probably)taking one at a place on Mcdonnel road called 'lodge on the park' - I found a newly renovated unit and yes, it has storage in every room - 2 new bathrooms and a new kitchen - they did it up very nice. It's very convenient for work (IFC) - may be a bit noisier than i wanted but I lived in manhattan forever so i dont mind

80 robinson road - super nice facilities - they have a Bowling alley ! - I found a great apartment here that is chaper than the one I took but the rooms would be pretty small after I added closets etc - I reccomend this place as everything about it was quality. I may end up here

Hillsborough court - evidently a lot of people from my company live here and the facilities are great - nice apartment i saw here that had storage but was smaller than the one I took. I also think this place was pretty good quality. May end up here

The Peak

I looked at one place on mt kennery something or other that was fabulous but I couldn't work myself into living that far away. I think for a family it would be great to live up there but I was worried it would be too hard - it took about 25 minutes from ifc to there

South Side

I really came close to living in a place in Tai Tam called the Manhattan - the aprtment was just amazing on the 25th floor with an ungodly view that seduced me. It took 25 minutes to go out there from work but i eventually realized that I would be rally isolated out there and would have to buy a car - the manhattan has a shuttle bus to central that leaves at 730 and 750 every morning They are putting in a new pool - it's right across from the american club - would be great for families I think - you need a car though.

37 repulse bay road - friend lives there - building ok - great views - apartments are smallish (seems like poor use of space) and in need of renovation (i.e. make sure a unit has been recently renovated or dont bother) - if you live there you cant walk anywhere

The Brentwood - top of repulse bay road - saw a fabulous apartment but was overpriced relative to other things i saw(im told because the location is so desirable). Very nice building - check it out for sure - probably closer to 60k if you live there

Im a bit depressed that i wont be living on the south side but I think it will be too much of a hassle without a car.


I saw lots of other places but those are all i can clearly remember - hope this helps - if you had a different experience would love to hear your views.

[back2HK]

Good review.. Let us know about bamboo grove, dynasty court & clovelly court as well if you get around to seeing them.

[shafin]

...ok.....that wasnt very friendly.....


hmm nehow...animalmom, r u here with fam?
did u check out aparments in baguio villa? the residential area just above the cyberport. u have the quietness and the sea view of the south side...but still VERY convenient to get into town. u can pop down to cyberport or well they have an express bus to the post office - by the old star ferry - every mornin til 9 i think.
the buildings r older , n so all come with lotsa closet space!

n i think most would b within your budget. wat size apt r u looking for? theres nething from 1500 to 2300 that u can look at, from 35K to 60K. there r 2700sq ft apts too...but they may be a little higher priced..tho u can always negotiate!

uh..if uve already looked there tho....ignore wat i just made u read! HAHA

i lived in nyc for 5 yrs myself! (4yrs in manhattan) LUV IT! LUV IT!

[animalmom]

'this report tells a lot about your person and personality.'

WTF? You don't know me and I don't know you and somehow you don't like me because of some apartment reviews? Sometimes an apartment review is just an apartment review - actually most times I imagine.

Whatever.

'hmm nehow...animalmom, r u here with fam?' - actually just me and 2 kitties. I wantg to get a dog.

I did go to a Beguilo Villa apartment - it was not in good condition but it had a great view and was located very conveniently to zooming into town. If you could find one renovated might be a good choice.

I think i am done if the landlord accepts my bid at the lodge on the park place - As for Dynasty court the smallest one is 2000 sq feet or so my agent told me and that's way too big for me.

I also saw some low rises - Unicorn villa and one called skyline mansions and they had been renovated and I think it would have been good for families.

I'm back in london after exhausting flight but will be in HK again permanently on 5th January. Will be up for a drink at that point if anyone is interested.

Happy Holidays

[supstar]

Thank you animalmom for this great report! My husband and I (no pets or babies ... yet) are moving from new york to hong kong in the spring and looking in a similar price range/locations. We have friends who love living on Robinson Road but we were seduced by the south side views. Please keep up the reports -- they are helping me to feel less freaked out about the move.

[supstar]

MarkusHK - Jealous much? Insecure? Your dislike is not welcome here.

[thewongs]

Animalmom - Really appreciate the info as we are also looking for dog friendly housing. Only been here a couple of weeks and was wondering if the area around McDonnel Road is a decent area to walk a dog? We had walked around the midlevels and our initial review is that it would be hard for a dog to adjust from the wide sidewalks of NYC to the narrow sidewalks in the midlevels. Thanks for the review.. just wondering if you added any of these to pet friendly housing thread - would be good to put it there.

[back2HK]

Originally Posted by thewongs

Only been here a couple of weeks and was wondering if the area around McDonnel Road is a decent area to walk a dog?

Bowen Road???

[thewongs]

Thanks Back2HK, I will check out Bowen Road.

[thewongs]

Oh no...probably won't walk my dog around there. I had heard about the animal killer but didn't know that was the area that it happened.

From answers.com:
Bowen Road is also infamous as the site of a serial animal killer. The scenic views and rambles make Bowen Road extremely popular with dog walkers, particularly among Hong Kong's expatriate community. Since 1989, 20 dogs have been killed by eating poisoned chicken, the most recent death occuring in October 2006, with more than 60 animals being made seriously ill. The last British governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten, also nearly fell victim, with his Norfolk terrier Whisky made seriously ill from consumption of poisoned chicken.