[WalterJ]

My company has asked me to relocate from NY to HK at a salary of HKD740,000 a year but with no housing allowance. They've also offered to cover relocation expenses up to HKD94,000, which I can spend any way I like.

It will cost me about HKD23,000 to move out of my NY apartment and store furniture stateside. I am additionally considering spending about HKD15,000 to send over a "lift van" containing about 500 kilos of furniture, books, housewares and clothes from home. Is this a good idea? In particular, I would like to bring a Eames lounge chair and a few other classic design pieces that I have acquired over the years. I'm a little worried about having to live with nothing but stuff from Ikea. But I wonder if people come to regret sending expensive furniture from home. I want to live in Central too, and wonder if I will be able to afford a place big enough to hold my stuff. I want to spend less than HKD23,000 a month.

The HKD94,000 is also meant to cover things like broker's fees and temporary housing. But I'd rather use it to buy furniture and electronics and maybe cover my first month's rent. I can probably stay with a friend for a week or so and it would be nice to avoid a broker's fee too. Will I be able to find an apartment within a week? Is it possible to find decent places on your own, or should I just use a broker?