[pseudolus]

Hi all,

We have pretty much decided to lease an apartment in the gold coast. Having considered DB and Park Island, as well as a couple of other places, I think that the Gold Coast is about right for us.

So, with this decision made, and being that I am in the UK currently with very little time to get myself sorted when I arrive, there are a few bits of info that would make my life a bit easier.

Phase - which is the best in terms of condition and close ness to activities / shops etc.

Local agents - I am going to have to view on the day I arrive in HK basically so will want to have a good local realty agent to have viewing set up for a quick decision; ideally chosing and sealing the deal in time for sundowners.

Time Frames - In the UK I have leased an apartment and received the keys within 5 days - is this realistic in HK if I put the same type of preparation in up front - less time throwing money into the hands of a hotel chain the better as far as I am concerned.


Furnished - I will need a 2 bed fully furnished apartment for 10k or there about. Will pay more for a balcony. Space wise I always get confused with sq ft and sq mtrs as I never really pay much attention to this in real life but I would guess 800+ with good usability would be workable. - Are these figures realistic?

What will i need in terms of documents to rent a flat? - will I need a HK bank account, references I assume from previous land lords, 2 months deposit / bond + 1st months rent, anything else?

And finally - my utopia, car free living. It may be inconvenient, but from what I have read on here this is do-able here. Is it? And the shuttle to central where my job (Wyndham street) is, 45-55 minutes plus walking time. True or false?

I don't want much I know and would appreciate Gold coast residents input (especially on good local realty agents).

Many thanks and feel fre to PM me if you have or know of a place that is available soon or anything really.

Adam + Akeeta.

P.S. Blimey I am so excited!!!! 4 weeks and counting.

[RachRobin]

Hi there,

We have live in HK and recently looked at the GC as a place to move once our baby is born in July. We currently live in downtown Wanchai in a very baby unfriendly flat!

So, I can't answer all of your questions, but here is what I know;

Firstly, the GC is nothing what it looks like on it's website. I'm not saying it's terrible, just be prepared. It's a bit like looking at a travel brochure for a tropical island - the hotel and beach never look as good once you're there! The mall and surrounds are a bit shabby.

Next, you should know that there are a few other developments surrounding the GC area (literally over the road) that are worth considering. I'm sorry I don't have the names, but they should be easy to find on the web.

Also, you do not need to rely on the shuttle busses the complex offers. Because there is also a hotel at the GC, it's hotel guests first, residents next. There is a 24 hour bus that runs right to Central - number 962. it runs about every 20 mins or so. It took us 35 minutes outside of peak hour. 80% of the trip is on an expressway. So to allow up to 55 minutes in peak hour door to door seems reasonable. Given the cost of fuel and parking I don't see a car as an option to commute.

GC apartments are run by the complex management. The only apartments you will see through a private agent are those apartments privately owned. I was under the impression these are mainly found in Phase 1. Phase 1 is naturally the oldest and it is close to the mall, but further away from the pool and clubhouse, which is in Phase 2. The pool looks fantastic. I would also assume the mall would be quite noisy during weekends. Walking distance to shops regardless of which phase you're in.

We turned up at the GC on a weekday and someone from the site office was available to show us a flat immediately. They drive you around and show you the facilities as well. There seem to be many, many empty apartments and they come furnished with the basics. They seemed to have a nice layout, but be prepared for tiny bedrooms (this is the norm in HK).

Keep in mind rent is always negociable in HK - something we weren't used to. Push the envelope with them and don't be shy to let them know you are looking around the area as well.

Unfortunately we didn't look at any of the neighbouring properties or check any of the other agents - hopefully a GC resident will help you out with that.

One thing that has concerned me are the many reports from GC residents that it is a very badly run complex. (I've read about this on this forum and Asia Xpat). I can't say it put me off, but look into it if you have the time.
Regardless of this, you certainly get a lot more for your money in this area. 10k will not get you anything remotely liveable in Central.

In terms of lease, our company handled this but;

You will need a HK bank account for direct debit rent payment (usually requested by landlord). This is surprisingly easy to set up - you will need a HK address (work is fine) and passport ID.

Provided the flat is empty and in order there should be no reason you can't be in there within 5 days. References can't hurt and apart from the deposit bond & rent, I think you need to pay an agents fee. This is usually the equivalent of half a month's rent.

Good luck with the move. I am sure you will enjoy living in the area you've chosen.

[pseudolus]

Rach - Thanks for the time you invested with this. To be fair, I had been slightly sucked into the pristine resort pictures but on reflection, for me it really is the fact that we will enjoy the more remote location more but really be able to separate work from home which is very important. See you there perhaps and good luck with the baby!

Adam.

[sunniefaith]

Originally Posted by pseudolus

Rach - Thanks for the time you invested with this. To be fair, I had been slightly sucked into the pristine resort pictures but on reflection, for me it really is the fact that we will enjoy the more remote location more but really be able to separate work from home which is very important. See you there perhaps and good luck with the baby!

Adam.

I live in Park Island and have visited a friend that lives in Gold Coast. Without trying to sound bias, Park Island is a lot newer than Gold Coast. Phase 5 is the newest and it's probably about or less than 1 yr old. The commute from Gold Coast to Central is longer than PI. From PI, it takes about 30 mins to get to Central. It would be a good idea for you to take a look at both before deciding. I'm paying around 8200 for a 2 bedroom, about 670 square feet, fully furnished.

[rkhl]

Car-free in HK is rare indeed. Lamma Island and Peng Chau Island are car-free; however commuting is a bitch and lifestyle is arguablly spartan. Real estate developments such as Park Island and DB are relatively car-free: private cars entering the area are restricted. Gold coast is not consider car-free. In fact GC sits right next to 2 highways.

To avoid location that fails to deliver what you really desire, try not rushing to find "the place" within the 1st day of your arrival. Instead stay in short-term leases, be that a few days or a week; get the feel of the location and talk to those who actually live there, expats and locals alike.

short-term leases available in DB. No doubt people in PI offers the service. GC has a hotel and should cost no more than hk$1k per night.

Info on where you will be working helps streamline your search greatly.

[pseudolus]

Originally Posted by rkhl

Car-free in HK is rare indeed. Lamma Island and Peng Chau Island are car-free; however commuting is a bitch and lifestyle is arguablly spartan. Real estate developments such as Park Island and DB are relatively car-free: private cars entering the area are restricted. Gold coast is not consider car-free. In fact GC sits right next to 2 highways.

To avoid location that fails to deliver what you really desire, try not rushing to find "the place" within the 1st day of your arrival. Instead stay in short-term leases, be that a few days or a week; get the feel of the location and talk to those who actually live there, expats and locals alike.

short-term leases available in DB. No doubt people in PI offers the service. GC has a hotel and should cost no more than hk$1k per night.

Info on where you will be working helps streamline your search greatly.

I tend to agree, and my version of car free living only really extends to me not having a car - I can really do with out the hassle of a car and therefore long to be able to live without one.

Park Island is the only other place we are seriously considering for all the reasons you have mentioned. I think I can live with the boat journeys without a problem. If I can find a 6 month lease in one of the other that would be perfect. Any offers? hahaha.

[Mat]

The one much newer and better than the GC and just accross the street is called Aegean Coast (4 years Old). You have property agents (Midland and Centaline) at the back of the complex.

[MovingIn07]

I looked at the Phase 2 flats before we moved - they are ALL owned by the developer and are no private flats so you only need to see the one person to do that (in the mall, very helpful, they showed me something right away when I rocked up). Always have spare flats.

I walk thru Phase 1 from time to time - does not look as nice.

Agean Coast over the road looks nice but I have not been inside it - I do not know about their bus service.

The residents bus service is good - I use it all the time as I work in Central. There are 5 buses in the morning and 5 in the evening to Central and Wanchai - Phase 1 then Phase 2 then Central then Wanchai. So Ph2 is better as you leave 5 mins later and get back 5 mins earlier. 7:05am; 7:35am; 7:50am; 8:20am and 9:30am return 5:45; 6:15: 6:45: 7:15 and 8pm from Ph2 - Central (for Ph1 and Wanchai add 5 mins). takes 30 mins for the early buses (7am and 7:30) and the 8pm bus back ... the others are maybe 35 or 40 mins depending on traffic. Cost HKD 23 each way.

Also hourly bus to airport, takes 30 mins - great for business travel (lots of cathay staff live here).

The shopping mall has a perfectly adequate supermarket with a reasonable selection of western goods, fine for everyday. There are good restaurants in the mall and around locally - not as good as central but way cheaper. Shopping centre NEVER gets as busy as rest of HK - even on the weekends it's fine.
Beach is nice, clean and often empty.
Facilities at Ph2 are GREAT, or you can join the country club which is fantastic (I am a member, since I live in the marina) and is so quiet it's unbelieveable.

No, the photos are not true. Many of them are doctored so they actually miss out whole buildings which are really here but it IS a lovely place, it is relaxing and you can separate work and home. It's easy to get around, you DO NOT need a car and I heartily recommend the value-for-money aspects of living here.

Good luck! Please feel free to contact me if you want more info or if not I will see you on the bus sometime when you arrive!

[MovingIn07]

you can get a one month serviced appt in Ph2 for nearly some price as a lease - so if you wanted to come here for the first month to "try it out" before committing, you'd be able to.

[pseudolus]

Originally Posted by MovingIn07

you can get a one month serviced appt in Ph2 for nearly some price as a lease - so if you wanted to come here for the first month to "try it out" before committing, you'd be able to.

This is great news - is it the site agent I need to speak to about this or who? Also is there a website on this please?