[Summit]

Hi, thanks all for all the tips about relocation to HK.....finally, I am here.

While staying in the Service Apt at Mid-Levels, I spent 5 hours yesterday with the Relocation Manager to tour the apts for the permanent house hunting.......have to admit that I was really exhausted, sitting on the back of the car while up and down the hill of HK island, the ride was definitely crazy, compared with what we used to in the States, either in the mazed California freeways or the wild New York, similar to San Francisco though, but only more dangerous, like the roller coaster in Magic Mountain....

Anyway, now I realized how small the apts are, although been warned beforehand.......around 1,000sf can be 3 bedrooms, I cannot imagine how to even put a bed in those 2 small bedrooms, even for a small home office/computer workstation, they seem to be small:-((((((((((

yeah, right, I also noticed that almost EVERYTHING here is small, compared with US standard, after several rounds in the grocery stores.

So, of the 12 apts I saw yesterday, locations include Mid-Level Central, Western Mid-level, and Pokfulam/Kennedy Town......such as Hillsborough Court, Belgravia, Royal Court, University Heights, Manhattan Heights, Hollywood Terrace, Vantage Park, etc etc......the only one looks nice is The Belcher's @ Pokfulam, I really like the facilities and all the amenities, especially the BIG outdoor pool and the so-called BIGGEST indoor pool in HK.......however, the Relocation Manager said the commute would be 30+ minutes to Central and no shuttle bus, only by public bus or taxi, which could cost around $50/trip......so I am just wondering if anyone here can give me some idea as far as the commute from The Belcher's to Central office:

- how bad it is in the morning rush hour?

- what are the alternatives?

- how about the area of Pokfulam?
Is this a expat freindly community?
I haven't even heard of this area until yesterday, I was just focused on Mid-Levels and Discovery Bay during the whole relocation research.

- for anyone live there, do you have to pay or how much you need to pay to enjoy all the club facilities?


Now back to Western Mid-Level, the good thing is it is REALLY close to escalator, so the Central Office is within 10 mins walk, but most bldgs are too old and REALLY small without any amenities.....for me, single, male, I don't really need 3 bedrooms, for the same square footage, is there any apt that have bigger bedrooms, I would rather have relatively bigger 2 bedrooms, than a tiny 3-bedrooms.....or, I am just day dreaming????

Now I am thinking about Discovery Bay, yeah, people here warned me too, nice area but NOT for singles:-(((


I guess I need to take more time, do more house tours, in the next 1-2 months to figure out what is out there, then hopefully find something decent.


Thanks for all the help all the way, any suggestion/comment would be appreciated.

Have a gr8 weekend!

[larac]

Take a look at Cherry Crest. 3 bdr in 1000sq ft is big by HK stds but here I reckon yiu get the best of it. There is a little park beside the building to give you a bit of green and its pretty quiet. You are just along the end of Staunton St so easy to get to the escalator and SOHO. I was dubious about the bed even fitting in the master bedroom but its worked out fine and we use one room as a study and the other as a wardrobe - there is no storage at all so we bought freestanding wardrobes. I liked the Belchers complex but not the area. Hoolywood Terrace was also quite good but no pool - we have a pool but due to bureacracy can't use it yet.

[crystal88]

Had the same issue with you 3 months ago, thinking between west mid-levels, belchers & bel-air. 3 choices, in the end, we picked this apartment at mid-levels. No regrets as it's convenient and nearer to central. I love Belchers & bel-air bec. of facilities, the rooms are bigger and spacious too. I picked a condo that is newly built, i guess only 2 properties that is new in mid-levels area, your agent would know that. 3 tiny BR with one small maids room which i convert into stockroom. Got harbour view too in my living and dining room. Good luck.

[helles]

I take the mini bus to work in Central from Pokfulam, its a 30 min journey max. There is traffic, but somehow magically, once past Belchers, the traffic runs smoothly, then on, its pretty good, though Caine Road can sometimes be slow.

Only thing at Belchers may be getting the transport, my bus is usually full from the main stop.. but there are about 3-4 green mini bus routes going through Central, so shouldn't be problems.

Taxi should be just under $30 with little traffic.

oh, and if you're single, the university student village is just down the road... !!! hehe ;P

[lima1971]

We recently moved to HK from the UK - only been here 2 weeks. We live in Belchers and I love it as its so convenient for everything. My husband works in Central and it takes him about 20 minutes door to door by taxi or minibus. We have a 2yr old boy, and the facilities are fantastic and its very child friendly. I would recommend it - but we live in a 3 bed flat which is quite spacious(cant remember the square footage)...Ive seen a 2 bed one and its pretty tiny. Hope that helps.

[penguinsix]

I was out a bit farther in Manhattan Heights, Kennedy Town, which was good when you wanted to get away from the craziness of Central but sometimes annoying in that you had to take cabs when you needed to be somewhere at a certain time.

When does the Island line extension open? If you are looking at investing, you might consider something near one of the new stops.

[KnowItAll]

>> When does the Island line extension open?

2010+

[alabama]

Belchers, is that an apartment name?

[hbrand]

I looked at exactly the same apartments as you, almost to a tee, except I also liked Bel Air. I thought the Belchers were a bit big in the end, too many people, the one I looked at smelt, there was no balcony...at least Bel Air has a shuttle bus, restaurant, etc

In the end we chose Cherry Crest. For some reason, because it is down some stairs off Caine road it is cheaper than all the other places that are new in the area. We bargained our apartment (far enough away from the buidlings that you could walk around naked an not be seen, yet close enough to have an interesting view) and it is 3 b/r (small beds like you said) with a balcony. There is the park, some sea views, a cute small pool and little gym. We are making one room the office, the other a spare room with a sofa-bed and the main room our room. And noone has lived there yet which is a bonus.

We liked it the most in the end because it is walking distance to Sheung Wan station or Central, Caine rd, Soho is 6 mins away and Lan Kwai Fong is about 12mins. We tend to spend most of our time in those areas realistically. I feel it would be better for a singe guy, to be in midlevels, although we know quite a few people who like Pokfulam. Most are couples though.

Don't know if this helps but good luck!

[trpfeifer]

We love the Belcher's. The commute to Central can be very easy because of the "fly-over" and either taking a taxi or bus that uses it. I agree, 30 minutes max. I like not living in Midlevels because it feels more like being in a foreign country to me. It is also very quite over here.