[Rabzephyr]

I am moving to HongKong next year and the budget the company gave to me is one 8,000HK$. And one of my friend offer me an apt in North Point with 22 years age which is 440 sqft within the budget, what do you think? Is North Point a good area to live? What about the security there? Thanks

[saltwater]

North Point is very safe. Located on HK Island to the West of 'Central' its also very accessible with buses, trams and subway servicing the area to the shops and businesses at Causeway Bay and the remainder of HK Island.

Its said to be very 'local' - ie its very Chinese (the area has a repuation for having lots of Shanghainese people that moved there during the war). As such you won't find many expats out that way, and you could struggle to find an English speaking shop assistant, restaurant etc. This may not be an entirely bad thing though...

I'd worry about the place you've been offered though. 22 years is very old for HK buildings (they're mainly designed and built to be pulled down and replaced with something twice as tall in fifteen years) so it could be very run down. On the other hand it could be renovated and look like a palace...

But... have to say that 440sq feet is tiny. Very tiny. Measure where you live up now and find out just how little space that is, then include walls, a bathroom, kitchen etc. For 8k you could get something bigger elsewhere (even in Northpoint) so don't commit to anything just yet. Have a look when you get here and you'll exactly what 8k can get you...

[pp2005]

Where is your company local ?
North Point is a old district , but public transpot is very convenience ! If the building is near the tramway, the living density is high.

[texasaxel]

I work in the North Point area and agree that knowledge of Cantonese is a definite plus; quite a few of the restaurants do not have English menus and fewer have English speaking staff although that is not always an obstacle to ordering food. Central is only 15 minutes by MTR, buildings tend to be a bit older but not as run down as in parts of WanChai, for example. However, you should still visit "your" building and flat in person before commiting to anything.

[Rabzephyr]

Well, actually i am from mainland China and can't speak Cantonese. Seems like if i were going to leave there, i would be experience a lot of the ture local life. While i think if i can share a flat, maybe this budget could survive in somewhere like Tai Koo Shing.

[Mat]

First thing is where will you work...cos if you work in Kowloon side or even NT, North Point isn't the best location and you could find better and cheaper deal in NT or Kowloon.

Now if you work in Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai or CWB, North Point is a very convenient place to live. More "local" than Central or Mid Levels, but I would say that is for the best (cheaper food, good bargain...)

[Rabzephyr]

I will work in Admiralty area. And i believe i should start learning Cantonese right now, but could anyone give me a ballpark percentage of those who can understand or speak Madarin in the area?

[xiaoma2]

Most of the elderly either speak Cantonese or Fukienese. 80% young people could understand Mandarin and about 50% of them could speak.

[Mat]

Dont worry you can live in North Point without speaking Cantonese + If you speak Mandarin, I guess you read it as well so it sould be really just fine, for restaurant you are able to read the menu....so really no problem. For the commute, no problem as well. Admiralty/North Point is 10mn by MTR or a bit more by Tram.
Most of my mainland friends learned Cantonese in about 6 months..the transition is easy....(not for me unfortunately :-))

[kirlex]

Hi. I live in North Point and it is an interesting place. To be blunt, I don't really like it. It isn't very clean, and there is a meat market right near my flat. Still not used to seeing a severed cow's head in a bucket on the side of the road when i go to work in the morning. Also there are a lot of people (+40 years old) who are from Fukien/Teochow and they don't realise the concept of queueing up.

I may sound harsh but it ins't that bad, actually. Close to Central and easy access to Kowloon. Get to experience the local culture and if you rent above Hennessy/King's road then the noise and smell shouldn't be a problem.


Why don't I move? 5 minute walk to where my partner and I work.