[Gooley]

Hi there,

My husband landed a good job in HK that pays around 1.3 HK. We will be moving in the next 3-4 months. I keep hearing that the cost of living in HK is very high and everything is very expensive there. My questions are:
- Will we be able to get a nice large 2 or 3 bedroom apt on HK island?
- What are the price ranges are of apt's?
- Would we be able to afford a condo?
- What is the best area to live which will be close to all amenities?

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
K

[Alby]

- Will we be able to get a nice large 2 or 3 bedroom apt on HK island?
Sure but size will depend on your budget
- What are the price ranges are of apt's?
Vary by location, size and several other factors
- Would we be able to afford a condo?
Hmmm condo ...well it is either free stand house or apartment complexes ... although there are a few duplexes in the New Territories
- What is the best area to live which will be close to all amenities?
All areas are great but this is more based on your lifestyle & expectations & budget


Sharing a bit about what your expectations and lifestyle will help us to answer your questions and pretty much help to eliminate possibilities

I cut and pasted this from another thread and was originally posted by SKYHOOK. The reason is that these are some questions to help prioritize and further understand you family's needs.

• Are you commute phobic, or does anything longer than 30 minutes'do your head in ?
• Do you cook at home, or do you plan to eat out exclusively.
• Do you plan to have a maid/Amah/Domestic Helper ?
• Do you want to live in a high or low density area ?
• Do you want to live in a green/sea view location that won't be within 2 minutes walk to do shopping ? It might take you 10 minutes to taxi, drive or bus it to do your grocery shopping. Rule of thumb, further from shopping malls = no crowds around your place of residence.
• Do you want to be within easy access to other people / families in the same situation as you ?
• Are you looking for an apartment with a little private access to outside area's ie: spacious balcony, roof top or ground floor private garden for entertaining friends at home etc?
• Are you likely to want an MPV ( Car ) to enhance instant commute convenience ?
• Are you looking for a quiet peaceful neighbourhood, or do you want to be immersed into the Hong Kong noisy hustle and bustle ambiance ?

Answer a few of these questions and it will make it pretty easy to address your initial questions and all us to give you a more accurate picture of what you may expect.

[Gooley]

Are you commute phobic, or does anything longer than 30 minutes'do your head in ? I would like to have everything close by as we will not have a car.

Do you cook at home, or do you plan to eat out exclusively. I will cook at home most of the time but we will go out for dinner on weekends.

Do you plan to have a maid/Amah/Domestic Helper ? Yes I would like a maid part time.

Do you want to live in a high or low density area ?
Not sure what this means?

Do you want to live in a green/sea view location that won't be within 2 minutes walk to do shopping ? It might take you 10 minutes to taxi, drive or bus it to do your grocery shopping. Rule of thumb, further from shopping malls = no crowds around your place of residence. I would like to be within walking distance of all amenities

Do you want to be within easy access to other people / families in the same situation as you ?
Would be nice but not necessary

Are you looking for an apartment with a little private access to outside area's ie: spacious balcony, roof top or ground floor private garden for entertaining friends at home etc?
Definitely want some privacy and would love a roof top patio or balcony

Are you likely to want an MPV ( Car ) to enhance instant commute convenience ? We wont be getting a car

Are you looking for a quiet peaceful neighbourhood, or do you want to be immersed into the Hong Kong noisy hustle and bustle ambiance ? I would like to be close to downtown within walking distance of shops, stores etc but I would like to be off of the main streets.


Thank you in advance for your advice.

~K