[bwb]

Originally Posted by Alby

You haven't mentioned anything regard sq ft size as 2 bdrm apartments here can be 400 sqft ... the more rooms the higher the utility of the apartment is thought to have for some reasons...depending on your location 400 sqft apartments will cost HKD13000.00/mnth

Good point, I'm not picky so size isn't too much of an issue, just wanted to make sure my ideal price is possible.

[bwb]

Originally Posted by Hamton

Agreed, but depending how you mean location.

If location = distance to CBD/work/entertainment, then no, those 'prime locations' aren't necessarily super expensive - there are some very good value apartments in Wanchai, North Point, Quarry Bay (and some Kowloon side equivalents) that are within 10-20 minutes from everything you could possibly need, well connected and vibrant. Or practically anywhere on the MTR line has affordable apartments in the $10k range.

The needlessly expensive places are areas like the Mid-Levels... which ironically are quite poorly connected (even if they're closer to the CBD in pure distance), too far away from an MTR connection, and occasionally have expat bubbles that defeat the point of living in a foreign country.

The 'exclusive' expensive locations in Hong Kong often aren't the best connected or most vibrant areas. It's usually just location snobbery. Like people who go and live somewhere where apartments cost 50% more based on the districts name, but almost everything else about the place is less convenient than somewhere like, ooh, Causeway Bay or North Point.

Though I understand some people like to pay a premium for quieter areas. But the quietest spots on northern Hong Kong Island are like the loudest spots in London, so I don't see the point myself - might as well just live right in the thick of it, or else avoid Hong Kong in the first place.

Thanks that is really helpful, ya I'm fine with being 30 to 40 min by MRT out from the center, public transport is great for me and all my work is online so don't have to cummute.

I'm living in Cairo Egypt right now so not sure how much noise will matter when compared to here

[bwb]

Originally Posted by Hamton

The expats renting luxury shoebox apartments for $40k aren't the norm. Even the locals aren't that mad - if they were going for something comparable, they wouldn't be stupid enough to RENT and throw their money away.

Gotcha, although I don't think renting is stupid unless you pay that much. Tieing up money in a place is what doesn't make sense from my point of view.

[Alby]

Originally Posted by Hamton

Agreed, but depending how you mean location.

If location = distance to CBD/work/entertainment, then no, those 'prime locations' aren't necessarily super expensive - there are some very good value apartments in Wanchai, North Point, Quarry Bay (and some Kowloon side equivalents) that are within 10-20 minutes from everything you could possibly need, well connected and vibrant. Or practically anywhere on the MTR line has affordable apartments in the $10k range.

The needlessly expensive places are areas like the Mid-Levels... which ironically are quite poorly connected (even if they're closer to the CBD in pure distance), too far away from an MTR connection, and occasionally have expat bubbles that defeat the point of living in a foreign country.

The 'exclusive' expensive locations in Hong Kong often aren't the best connected or most vibrant areas. It's usually just location snobbery. Like people who go and live somewhere where apartments cost 50% more based on the districts name, but almost everything else about the place is less convenient than somewhere like, ooh, Causeway Bay or North Point.

Though I understand some people like to pay a premium for quieter areas. But the quietest spots on northern Hong Kong Island are like the loudest spots in London, so I don't see the point myself - might as well just live right in the thick of it, or else avoid Hong Kong in the first place.

Ok we are saying the same thing, I am not defining location by any means. However, you seem to be defining "location" with added information and details. Again I am not disagreeing with you in regards to "location."

However, I am reading btwn the lines a bit and maybe wrong, but I perceive that I am disagreeing with you. In fact I am not -- "location location location is key" means all the things you have stated here and are also posted several times by others and even myself in many previous threads on similar topics.

[Caroly]

Bwb,

The magazine that I was talking about is called "HK Magazine" - it has a good classifieds section that you may want to check for places to rent. You can pick it up at many places but I think the most convenient is at the various Pacific Coffee places all over town.

[Skyhook]

There are plenty of 1 and 2 bedroom apartments in your price range located in Discovery Bay.

Commute is done by ferry to get to and from Central, which is a short 25 minute ferry trip, with ferry intervals of 12 minutes wait during peak times. You can also use the Tung Chung MTR, via the Discovery bay bus, if you wish to use an alternative route to get to Kowloon side area's.

It will offer you a very quiet peaceful lifestyle, with abundant green/sea/mountain views included from most apartments.
Basically the apartment towers are nicely spaced out, so views are not blocked, unlike the north side of the island which cram packs buildings against each other, making views unfortunate at the budget you're seeking.

A girlfriend of ours rents a post 500ft2 1 bedroom apartment for 6500 per month, so its definitely possible to get an enjoyable quiet location for an affordable budget.

If you love outdoor activities, beach, bush walking, sailing and stuff, Discovery bay has all that at your doorstep. The DB Mall is pretty well catered for, and the water front cafe's are a nice place to hang out with your note book, to do a bit of work amongst very civilised surroundings. If you get a netvigator Wi Fi account, you can almost work anywhere you want.

[jimbo]

Agreed with the above posters but you need to be wary that working from home in a typical hk apartment of the size which your budget allows can and will get a bit claustraphobic at times. I've done it for a few months in my current place and thats about 550 sq ft or so and I felt like I was choking. Luckily I had a clubhouse I could of retreated to.

Somewhere like Db would be fine as you can get out for a few hrs and have some open space and fresher air.