[DavidHK]

30-35K allowance will get a decent flat with a sea view in a good building in upper mid levels or happy valley (actually your allowance will get something good just about everywhere other than the best bits of southside (or the peak)). Just to weigh in on choice don't even think about disco bay if you are single and new in town. In terms of open space a 15mins taxi ride will get you the south side to go walking or to the beach (25-30mins to Shek O and Big Wave Bay).

My advice is spend around 20k on a place in mid levels and the remaining cash on a big tv and a fridge of champagne and go absolutly mental for the first 6 months. If you really crave open space and green things you could allways rent another apt on lamma for approx 5k for the weekends and have the best of both worlds.

[discobay]

Originally Posted by DavidHK

... and the remaining cash on a big tv and a fridge of champagne and go absolutly mental for the first 6 months... rent another apt on lamma for approx 5k for the weekends and have the best of both worlds.

I like the way you think!

[erickwok001]

Hi
I'm not an Expat but most of my clients are. From I've gathered is that Mide-Level is definitely more idea for singles or couples, since you can have all the night life by your door-step and it's so much more easier getting to work than db. At the same time you could also consider Happy-Valley and Causeway Bay.
DB is nice also but to me it's more suitable for families.

Let me know, if you need further advice.

Good Luck!

[Summit]

Erickwok001:

Thanks for the comment.

Another question --

I think I am not going to bring any furniture and electronics from the States to HK, casue I heard the unit size is smaller there, and you cannot use the electronics due to the different codes and voltage etc.

So, from the experience with your expat clients, should I be looking for furnished apt, or I will be better off rent an unfurnished unit and buy all the furnitures and electronics by myself?

I would think, at the minimum, the kitchen should be furnished with fridge, stove, microwave, oven, dishwasher, etc. Right?

What about washer and dryer, do they usually have it in unit, or some kind of community laundry facility in the building?

Thank you for the help!

[texasaxel]

If you aren't planning on bringing your furniture, get a furnished apartment or even better a serviced one. You should also think about how long you'll stay and what you'll do with the furniture afterwards ... the second-hand value of furniture is quite low here. This can work to your advantage if you are a buyer rather than seller.

New furniture can be bought here for much less than in Europe or the US but there are also places catering primarily to the expat crowd and those are quite pricy.

I am using adapters for most of my electronics but you may need a voltage converter (110 to 220/240V) depending on the type of appliance.

Washing machines and dishwashers are included in some apartments, kitchen units (fridge / stove / sink) are usually included. Dryers, however, are rare unless they are a combo washer/dryer units like in my place. Microwaves are not standard in unfurnished apartments.

Serviced apartments often don't have the laundry machine in the unit but there is a laundry room somewhere in the building. There you can also pay someone to do laundry for you.

[carang]

if you are still looking at Db....

most of the units have washing machines...many DO NOT have dryers(most flats in HK do not have these).. we bought our dryer second hand in DB for about $40USD. It's not fantastic, but it does the job.

I HAVE NEVER SEEN A FLAT WITH A DISHWASHER in 10 years. they are available and i'm sure that some flats have them(at one point we bought a second hand one-but it konked out on us after a year)and they can be bought, they are just NOT common. Most people have full time hired help who does the dishes.

if you are set on DB, you can get an unfurnished place and pick up things as and when you want/need them. you can get some good quality used stuff on the db website, right down to dishes sometimes! (we bought a brand-new looking shoe cabinet yesterday for $11 USD, I bought a ski machine for $35 USD etc, my sofa was free, as was our dining table.)

if you'd like more info about DB or life in HK in general, please feel free to email me at cara_ng_hk at yahoo.com

[Franek]

"If you really crave open space and green things you could allways rent another apt on lamma for approx 5k for the weekends and have the best of both worlds"

DavidHK, I am moving to HK and would say that I crave open space. Do you or anyone else out there have any more information about renting on Lamma?

[freeze]

Discovery Bay is more like a resort type of life, very relax, clean and modern. Where else you can have more fun to ride on a "golf cart"- the only private "vehicle" allowed.
Feel free to jog along the fresh air surrounding by endless trees and flowers....
Not only ferry takes you to Central, but also bus-MTR all the way to wherever stop you want to go.

[nnhh]

Summit, coming from SoCal, you must know 24hours fitness. There are a couple of branchs there. Here is the one in Central. Central
1 Wellington Street
Central, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2522-5229

(I am Chinese, grew up in DB, used to work in Central after high school.) As people mentioned, you can join the DB residential club (sometimes the landlord give you to use the membership for free), there are tennis courts, swimming pool and all kind of facilities.
good luck!

[nnhh]

Me again. actually if you are looking for an environment similar to SoCal, you can try the places behind the mountain, such as Stanley, or Repulse Bay, Aberdeen, etc. You will be taking the bus to Central everyday, but those places, they are behind those tall buildings and mt., it's flat, no hills, and facing the south (all ocean views).