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Flat-Hunting in Hong Kong

© Haydee De Guzman

The Handover and the Asian economic crisis in 1997 have dampened the mood in Hong Kong a bit. But the good news is rents are going down! However, that doesn't mean that rents have become cheap. No, it still is considerably high. Unless, of course, you come in an expatriate package, then housing will be your greatest expense.

To get started finding a flat in Hong Kong, you need to ask yourself the following questions:

• What is your budget?
• Do you prefer to live alone or share a flat?
• What neighbourhood would you like to live?

When you have decided on this then you can visit the small rental agencies within the area. It seems every other shop is a rental agency in Hong Kong. It is a good idea to bring along a Cantonese friend to negotiate for a lower rent. You can also check out the classified ads section of the South China Morning Post or the Hong Kong Standard. If you would rather share a flat, the classified ads section of HK Magazine has a share-flat listing. HK Magazine comes out every Friday and is free at most restaurants and entertainment places.

Flats in Hong Kong are small and you're lucky if you get a view of the harbour or lush mountain greenery. If not, you have to settle with the prospect of seeing towering hi-rise buildings. And if you're not so lucky, a bare wall.

Try to give yourself time to look for a flat that you really like. Maybe you need to draw a list of what you're looking for. Something like: a bathtub, shower, aircon, balcony, hot water, sea view, etc.

You also need to visit the place in the morning and evening. I made a mistake of taking a flat without seeing its conditions at night. To my horror on my first night, there was no single street lamp on the way to the flat on a woodsy, dead-end street! I ended up coming home to a flat with a torch every night for nine months!

The Peak is Hong Kong's classiest property where rents run up to hundreds of thousands a month. Another desirable address is the Repulse Bay with nice facilities and a beachfront. Rent is around HK$70,000 a month.

Most expat yuppies prefer to live in the Mid-Levels since it's just a stone's throw away from Lan Kwai Fong. Add to that, its bohemian atmosphere and the convenience of the 800-meter long escalators.