[Laughing_Monkey]

Am currently flathunting and am finding that there seems to be a point (around9-10k) where the quality of the flat leaps from basic to delux.

There are pros and cons for both; principally with the more basic flats tending to have a better location and view, and the the delux flats having a superior finish and a range of 'facilities'.

Am wandering what peoples experiences of these have been - for example are pools/gyms usually busy all the time or full of kids playing about - oh and what is a clubhouse?

[PDLM]

Er, you obviously have a very relaxed perception of "delux". Just for laugh, ask an agent to show you a 70K apartment... that may recalibrate your definitions.

[Laughing_Monkey]

Sorry, you clearly didnt understand what i said, i keep forgetting that english isnt everybodies first language...

[PDLM]

English is my only fluent language (and I can write it much better than you did in your posts above). I can see no other way of interpreting what you wrote except that you see some "break point" around 9-10K above which price flats become "deluxe".

I took the "9-10K" to refer to the rental in HK$ per month. Is that not what you meant?

Corrected post:

Sorry, you clearly didn't understand what I said. I keep forgetting that English isn't everybody's first language...

[lychini]

Hey there, teehee PDLM that’s funny, you can autocheck and predictive text me too…
Its just a matter of classification perhaps laughing_monkey means the next stage after basic, ‘superior’ etc and from there, as is so typical with HK, skys-the-limit.
Am interested in others experiences too. Live in an old Chinese building SW and they renovated the aprtmt so that its is openplan/minimalist/rooftop as I wanted, price $8500 mnth. It is basic in fixtures and fittings, everything works, but the appliances are cheaper brands i.e frigidaire/bad sinks etc. As standard in many old chinese buildings, there is no hot water in the kitchen/no oven/no lift/buzzer/shared staircase is a mess, and the finishing can be a bit sloppy. We replaced all the light fittings to something more stylish.
You can trade off things for space+view, in terms of cost (nb. if you get top floors remember that old buildings, an even some new ones, can get leaks in heavy downfalls check on this, get a proviso in your contract).
Early on stayed in a boutique serviced apartment Central not much bigger than what have now, $28,000 mth. Corporate, two bedrms - kitchen tiny; domestic service launder an press your clothes daily etc; gym five machines and weights. Sposedly elegant design that I called modernoiserie or asiacolonicism.
Someone I know had one of those $70,000+, part of his package the company paid for 80% of lease. Good two story pic glass window from Peak etc. Others like to live on the islands for more space per sq ft and a diff. type of lifestyle. I think one can easily find something adequate for $10,000 – 18, 000… its just it is always good to a find a deal, like NY – your place is fine but then you see someone else has got more square ft for less…

I could be wrong, but alot of locals/expats want a clean and tidy new building (less than twenty years old), the security of a doorman, some facilities. Never had a pool, love to know how people find their cleanliness/ease, no idea what a clubhouse is? G.luck

[Baron]

Don't worry about PDLM laughing Monkey, he's one of those guys who thinks $$$ makes him more popular, quite sad really! He also takes EVERYTHING literally. The pool at our apartment is never too busy, except on warm weekends when you may get a few more than normal. The gym is never too busy which is great, as most people only use it late afternoons.

[larac]

My understanding of a Clubhouse is basically a gym and/or pool but I have been to complexes that have Piano Rooms, Mahjong and Kareoke rooms, Prayer rooms, BBQ areas etc so the definition of Clubhouse really varies. Ours is described as a Deluxe Clubhouse which consists of a gym with 4 machines, Saunas in the Mens and Ladies, a bit of a BBQ area but no tables/chairs or character and a really nice pool that we can't use because it has no license.

Our rent is more than double what you are talking about but that doesn't mean the finish is any better despite it being brand new. The apartments have Zero storage - not even a cutlery drawer. There are no curtains/blinds or light fittings, just the bulbs. All the door handles and hinges have been put on over the carboard/plastic wrapping and then the wrapping ripped off around it so some is left behind and the plastering and painting leaves quite a bit to be desired but the view and location are excellent and the overly attentive doormen are great so you just have be patient, look at lots of options and know what stuff bothers you and what you can live with.

[cerberus]

come to where i live it'll recalibrate your desire to leap from tall buildings. i hear NASA's coming here to test soundproofing on their latest extra vehicular suits.

man i wish i had the balls to ask agents to show me 70k places. i'd probably squat right there and then.

[fly]

Unlike hotels, there is no star-rating system for apartments, so the closest thing to measure by is $$. The more you pay, the more you should expect, and in better-maintained condition/availability. Amenities can include all the usuals: (pool(s), gym, function/party rooms) and some of the less-tha-usual (tennis courts, storage facilities, bbq pit, car or boat or other amenities, restaurant facilities). Of course its all reflected in the rent, and there will always be exceptions to the rule, but good luck anyways, and why not ask your agent to show you a 70k flat just for kicks?

[Laughing_Monkey]

Okay, thx guys, i was thinking (hoping) a clubhouse basically meant BAR! It could have swung my decision, though a gym and moreover a pool are definitately big factors.

With the 70k flat, I've already got a pretty good idea of what to expect from it and it will only make me feel sorry for myself having to survive off a meagre budget (even though a meagre budget in HK is probably enough for a palacial apartment in most of the (sensible) world!)