[kwanmichelle]

Originally Posted by jayinhongkong

I second discobay's opinion. I live in the mid-levels and i'm very happy here you can't beat a $15-20 cab ride home from lan kwai....

"$15-20 cab ride home from lan kwai" , hehehe, the most important consideration for you when looking for an apartment eh! hehe

[Alby]

Hey -

Wow loads of advice - all are great! You need to decide what is more important reasonable work commute or nightlife options? Where is the balance and where will you spend a majority of your time?

Suggesting is to look in the middle of your work commute and your social life commute such as in Tsim Sha Shui/ Tsim Sha Tsui East - places like New World Center and the Meriden both are top notch. If you are going to share cost the price can be very reasonable but if your budget is more strapped or you rather keep under the budget you menetioned check out in the areas of Hillwood Road, Kimberly Rd, Austin Avenue, Cox Road.

I lived in the Mid-Levels for abit and worked in Shatin - the commute almost killed me. Getting out of the Mid-levels in the morning was horrific - mini buses full and double decker buses full and taxi's to Admiralty MTR not so easy to get as everyone was in the same situation... so humid that by the time I walked down the escalator to the Central MTR I was dripping in sweat. Plus, if I wanted to go out at night I had to commute all the way home shower and change and then go out but then I relocated to Tsim Sha Shui East and it worked out that I went to work came home - showered - then proceeded to go out. As my home was right in the middle of my commute to work and my commute to nightlife excitment. But now TST Knutsford Terrace is Wow has so much and Ashley Rd too - before these TST places were mediocore but now they are very lively.

Best of Luck! Hope to meet you when you arrive in Hong Kong at one of the Fabulous GEOEXPAT events.

[jayinhongkong]

heh, I also work on HK island (right in Admiralty) so for me the Mid-Levels is totally ideal TST is ideal for someone working in Kowloon Tong who still wants fast access to HK side...

[jaykay]

Well $100 all in for a taxi back from LKF to Sha Tin ain't that bad (about 20 mins tops when it's late and you know a few taxi's).

Tai Wai area of Sha Tin and Kowloon Tong share the same border basically (5 mins drive through Lion Rock) and you have a damn good expat bar in Ta Wai as well. 4 stops on KCR to TST, etc, etc. It all depends on what you want to do. As always try a serviced apartment for a while until you get a feel for the place and then make a decision.

[discobay]

Ofcourse, you know that there are discount taxis who will give you up to 30% off if your ride is over $100.

[Harajuku Girl]

Originally Posted by discobay

Ofcourse, you know that there are discount taxis who will give you up to 30% off if your ride is over $100.

What?! I never knew that, and most of my taxi rides exceeds 100$ How do you know which taxis give you the 30% off? Or am I suppose to ask the driver for the discount?

[discobay]

It's no secret. Ring 8208-4111 give them your location, destination and name and hang up. A driver will ring you back to confirm the details and give you an e.t.a. If the meter reads over $100 you get 30% off, otherwise 20% off.

[applefan]

Discobay: THat sounds great! How long is the wait usually?

[discobay]

Well it depends on how long that piece of string is ... (ha ha ha!). The switchboard puts the call out to drivers in its pool and the nearest one willing to take your call will respond. I've used it less than ten times and have always been picked up within ten minutes.

[jenbo]

Hi guys thanks for all the great advice. Change of plan...my friend and I have decided to live separately as she will be working on HK island and I'll be at Beacon Hill. Can I ask where you would suggest living...housing allowance is $7000 per month, I want somewhere with a bit of life just a short journey away but not right in the middle of it, shops and a few bars / restaurants within walking distance and also somewhere not too far from work. Is this possible???

You suggested before that the nightlife on HK island is better than Kowloon is this in terms of variety and amount of bars, clubs etc or in terms of a better vibe???

cheers