[rakim]

Hi all,

Would appreciate some input, moving to HK very soon and based on what I know/recommendations am focusing on Tung Chung as a place to live -- I'll work in Quarry Bay and know it's a bit far but seems the best fit for price/accessibility/recreation options. If anyone has other ideas let me know!

Have a few questions -- what developments in Tung Chung would be best for a small family (one young child) on a moderate (8-10K) budget? Would prefer a 3BR but guess 2BR would do.

Second, any tips for getting in touch with owners directly or will we be basically forced to deal with an agent? And when you're negotiating there how much flexibility does there tend to be with the prices, additional furniture, etc.?

Last any thoughts on TC itself -- the environment, schools, recreation and so on? I know DB's a lot nicer (at least on the surface) but seems a bit overpriced and contained for me.

Thanks very much!

[cxflygirl]

Definitely reasonable rental price in comparison to DB. Lived here for over 5 years and love it.. it hasn't got the Uni campus feel that DB has. Tung Chung is cosmopolitan and especially if you work in town you'll enjoy coming back to Tung Chung. If you want something close to the MTR then Tung Chung Crescent but its an older development. Coastal Skyline is a good choice and rental now for a 3 BR flat is about 12K.. Carribean Coast is ok but you'll have to take a shuttle bus. All the development here has good club facilities.
From Tung Chung you can take a bus to the other side of Lantua to the beach. There is a Kindergarden dowstairs at Coastal Skyline and Tung Chung Crescent. I think most places you'll have to go via an agent unless you know friends who have property here..

[chinese local]

Tung Chung being a new town has a lot of open space and wide footpaths which is a bonus when you have prams and bicycles. Good for a young family. The downside is the distance to the city : a bit isolated. Prices are : 7000 for a 2-bed ( approx 700 sq.ft ), 1000 for a 3-bed (1000 sq.ft ) , 12 to 14000 for a big 3 bed ( 1220 sq.ft ) Sometimes owners advertised on the clubhouse notice board , ParknShop supermarket notice board.

[Skyhook]

We have friends who own a rental investment apartment in Carribean Coast, a 2 bedrom on a 30 plus high floor, and they are letting it to someone for $5500 per month fully furnished !... $7,000 is a load of BS, you could rent a 2 bedroom in Disco bay for that kind of money, and it would be worth paying the extra for the address alone. Tung Chung is a bit like beer, and I keep seeing these locals trying to get scotch prices, when the whole idea of living out in the sticks, isnt to pay close to mid levels prices....

Discobay must be laughing at the moment, if some people in Tung Chung think they can get similar rents, especially when a large percentage of Carribean Coast is still not let...A wild guess, 40% vacant ???

Rents dont go up when you have a surplus of vacant flats, when demand is low, rents are low.. Its very simple....

Dont get ripped off, by paying too much....

[sunniefaith]

Originally Posted by chinese local

Tung Chung being a new town has a lot of open space and wide footpaths which is a bonus when you have prams and bicycles. Good for a young family. The downside is the distance to the city : a bit isolated. Prices are : 7000 for a 2-bed ( approx 700 sq.ft ), 1000 for a 3-bed (1000 sq.ft ) , 12 to 14000 for a big 3 bed ( 1220 sq.ft ) Sometimes owners advertised on the clubhouse notice board , ParknShop supermarket notice board.

It's funny how we have these locals coming onto this forum and try to rip expats off. This is not the first time that we have posts like this. Most of the locals I know are pretty nice but it's locals like this that give them a bad name.

So expats, if you're looking to be ripped off....please call this person.

[jayinhongkong]

Are there any 4-bedroom apartments available in TC?

[beersa]

Skyhook,

Just $$5500 for 2BR fully furnished, amazing. I am looking for 2BR rental and approached to agent but their offer is:
2br no furniture is HK$7000-7300 in carribean.
for fully furnished above HK$7500 in carribean.

And for other estates seaview,cs,tcc are higher than CC.
Are agents betraying the exparts by hyping the price? Pls advise.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by Skyhook

We have friends who own a rental investment apartment in Carribean Coast, a 2 bedrom on a 30 plus high floor, and they are letting it to someone for $5500 per month fully furnished !... $7,000 is a load of BS, you could rent a 2 bedroom in Disco bay for that kind of money, and it would be worth paying the extra for the address alone. Tung Chung is a bit like beer, and I keep seeing these locals trying to get scotch prices, when the whole idea of living out in the sticks, isnt to pay close to mid levels prices....

[rakim]

Hi everyone,

Many thanks for the input, sounds like I was right about Tung Chung. Like the previous poster though I'm a bit confused about market rates for these apartments -- all the 2BRs I've seen online have been $6500+ and 3BRs $10000+, but am assuming these can be negotiated down a bit?

Cheers

Rakim

[Flat Hunter]

An agent showed us a 3BR, partially furnished, in CS a few weeks ago. 9.5K inclusive. We would have took it if I didn't have a bad feeling inside and didn't feel comfortable. Most "owners direct" on the forums are trying their best to maximise returns hoping that most people haven't been out there and seen all the empty apartments. With La Rossa (CS blocks 7 & 8) now coming online existing landlords will find it harder to rent out older apartments.

[cxflygirl]

beersa,

Carribean coast generally is cheaper then CS, SC. I think $7000-7300 is a bit high for 2 BR i think $5500-5600 this also depends on high floor low floor. In addition the new phases have just been released for CS & CC so there is a influx of new apartments so it shouldn't push up the prices so high .. plus most of my collegues who live here did not pay more than $6000 for a 2 BR in TC. Actually LA ROSSA which the new phase of CS has a balcony and walking distance to the train station i always think the downside of CC is the shuttle.

I have seen the duplexes in TC they had 4 BR but the design is awful.. they have built houses in CS but you have every single apartment looking down at you. I am not sure how much they are asking but i think i heard from some one its $40K totally not worth it in my opinion