Cost of apt

bthorburn

Member

Member since 21 February 2014

Jakarta

bthorburn

14 April 2020 21:59:34

bthorburn

14 April 2020 21:59:34

Jakarta

I may be offered a teaching position in Hong Kong at The Carmel School, 10 Borrett Rd, Mid-Levels. The position comes with a 10,000 HKD Housing Allowance and realistically I need to know what I can rent for that amount within a reasonable 30 minute commute to the school. Any apt would need to be fully furnished, two bedroom and one bathroom. Finally, when renting in Hong Kong what additional payments are normally applicable such as one months rent in advance, service costs, etc. Any information would be gratefully appreciated.

mars2012hk

Serial expat

Member since 14 August 2013

Hong Kong

mars2012hk

15 April 2020 16:50:00

501

mars2012hk

15 April 2020 16:50:00

501

Hong Kong

Hi
For HK$10,000 per month you will only have a very small apartment, definitely not a two-bedroom. A room in a flat-share is already typically HK$5000-8000 per month. You can check spacious.hk website for an idea of prices.

If you sign through a real estate agency, like most expats do, you must give half a month fee to the agent plus a two-month warranty, and pay at the beginning of the month, meaning that for a HK$10,000 rent you need to pay HK$35,000 on the first day in order to get the keys (out of which HK$20,000 will be given back to you when you leave the flat).

ladivo779

10 May 2020 11:49:26

ladivo779

10 May 2020 11:49:26

I'm not sure about finding a place for yourself in Mid Levels, but maybe you could also consider other areas like Wanchai, Causeway Bay, North Point. when I first arrived in HK ages ago I found that I could only afford to live in Heng Fa Chuen and while that is certainly pretty far away it is still on HK Island. But I think you might be able to find a very small apartment in Wanchai area within your budget if you check the property sites. Not sure how to get from there to your school though, perhaps there is a bus service along that route?

Another place I lived was Discovery Bay and that had a 25 minute fast boat commute to get to Central. Again not sure about the buses but many depart from the bus terminal below Exchange Square in Central. The rents are more than HK$10k per month, I think I saw a listing for $13k. Advantages here are that it's a bit like living in a resort with clubhouse, beach, tennis, pools etc and good for hiking and visiting small nearby islands.

I haven't lived in HK for ages so I'm sure mars2012hk is offering better advice than I can.

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