I'm about to work in HK in 2 weeks time. I found a place at caine rd over the net.

1) how is the enviroment there? safe? clean? market nearby?
2) is this near to central?
3) what is the rental like for 2br?
4) anything i should note of?

I used to live in the Mid-Levels and I consider Caine Road the border between Central (from the harbour up to Caine Rd) and Mid-Levels (Caine Road up to Po Shan Rd). The lower part is some of the older parts of Hong Kong, but is recently "reborn" with the restaurants in SoHo (just beneath Caine Road).

Above Caine Road (particular Robinson Rd and Conduit Rd) are lots of luxury highrises.

It's definitely clean and safe.

You can use the Mid-Levels Escalators or the numerous small narrow streets to get to Central. And there are also buses and green 16-seat public light buses.

There are a few supermarkets nearby. Since there are many residential blocks there, getting groceries won't be a problem.

Rental rate depends on the condition of the building. As I mentioned, Caine Road can be something somewhat new and luxurious to very very old. What is the address of what you found? And how much? You do know that Hong Kong is one of the most expensive cities in the world when it comes to housing cost?

I have lived in Hong Kong for 8 years. Rents are about at an all-time high in my experience. It is definitely a landlord’s market in that you must offer to pay the listed rental price, and in many cases over the listed price to be able to secure the flat. Also be sure to ask if the price is exclusive or inclusive of “maintenance and rates” which can add quite a bit to the rental price. A 2-year lease is fairly standard. A deposit of 2 months’ rent is genrally required and no interest is usually paid on the deposit.

The price of a 2 bedroom in Caine Road can vary hugely depending on size, location, view, age, whether it is furnished or unfurnished and what floor it is on. A 2 bedroom can be 600 square feet or 2500 square feet and be priced accordingly and subject to these other factors. The mid-levels area, like all of Hong Kong is very safe so I would not have any concerns on that point. There are thousands of expatriate living in this area and you will find supermarkets, drycleaners, video rental shops, restaurants and lots of home comforts. I don’t particularly care for this area as I find it a bit too congested with no trees and many high rises and narrow crowded roads, but it is convenient for many things. If you will be working in Central, it is very convenient. You can walk downhill or take the escalator in 20-30 minutes, or take a bus or taxi to your office in 10-15 minutes or so. If you will be working in say North Point or Quarry Bay, however, it would not be convenient at all, IMO.

Even in a tight market, in no case should you take any flat without first looking at it and of course reading the lease. Leases are very non-tenant friendly in Hong Kong, you will find you have lots of respnsiblities, like taking care of all the air conditioners and pest control. The landlord will have very few. On the plus side, if you don’t like the bathrooms, you may be able to get the landlord to redo them (hard to say that this will happen in this current market, but I still believe it is possible). Unless you have a very small budget like HK$10,000, you should consider using an agent and let them show you several flats. The fee is generally a month’s rent and is usually split between yourself and the landlord. Your company may pay your portion. You can also use the newspaper and look yourself. Get a copy of The South China Morning Post, which is the main English-language newspaper in Hong Kong. Take a look at their classified ads for flats; this section is especially large on Saturdays and Sundays If you live in a major city, you should be able to buy a copy, or your library may have back issues or can borrow them from another library. You may also be able to look at classified adds on line. Go to their website at scmp.com. A good property agent I have used is at http://www.habitat-property.com, they mostly list on Hong Kong Island but sometimes have Lantau and New Territory listings. You can search by price. This will give you an idea of square footage and rentals in various areas. Some others to try:
http://www.hongkonghomes.com/hong_ko.../eng/index.htm
http://www.landmarkasia.com.hk/
http://www.cbre.com.sg/hkpropertylist/bylocation.asp

I would wait until you get here and look at a few flats to get an idea of value for money, areas you like which are a good commute to your office, etc. Most flats are shown empty and are immediately available.

Thanks for the tips. This is a 6mth lease & owner is asking for HK12k inclusive mgt fee, flr area is barely 600sq ft. I've not view the unit but owner send me 5 pics of his unit. He's waiting for my reply. I'm not very sure about this.... I went Hk last week to view over 15 units mainly in wanchai, causeway area, Soho, Sheung Wan. They are packed and small. I read on the rent thingy in HK. Is this common? booked w/o viewing? The agent told me these units will be gone in no time, so dont wait till sep. 1st month lodging will be provided, so the rent can start in oct. This unit is consider good deal? Size does not really matter but at least comfortble or less travel.

I personally would never rent something I had not seen. You are the first person I have heard of who has done this here, I am not aware of it being “common” to rent without viewing here. The market is very tight, there are not a lot of flats to be sure, so landlord’s may be able to push this now esp for short term leases. But my motto is if your gut says no, don’t do it. I know it is only for 6 months, but it if is terrible, you are stuck. A photo does not mean anything, it may not in fact be a photo of the actual unit you will get. There really isn’t any consumer protection here so you will have very little recourse if it turns out that the flat is no good. Is he asking for the entire 6 months rent up front? If so, I REALLY would not do it.

12 K for 600 square feet is actually a good rent for Caine Road IMO. It actually seems a bit under the market. That makes me a little worried about its condition, etc. You have seen things so you know what the market is like, does it seem under the market to you? If you have 4 weeks to stay someplace else, I don’t think you would have a problem finding something within that time. I’ve moved here twice from overeas and have always been able to find a flat in less time than that.

I agree with Cicerone. I wouldn't sign a lease without first looking at the unit in person.

Do you have an address for the unit?

Is it furnished?

Since your stay isn't that long, you may want to investigate in a serviced apartment or hotel room. Your 600 sq feet apartment won't be much bigger than a hotel room.

I've concerns as well. Like cicerone mentioned, this is really under market plus some simple furnishing.
***something/somewhere not very right***

I'm trying to find out from him on the actual location. Maybe as convenience as i thought it's suppose to be??

Cicerone, What's "maintenance & rate"?

I'm going there for good. I wouldn't want to sign and bonded for a yr or two which is why I'm looking for temp to begining with.

Indeed, I'll view somemore other units when i'm up there.

TY.

"maintenance and rates" would be the management fee/maintenance you mentioned above which seems to be included. There are also property taxes which you would pay (passed on to you by the landlord), make sure that is included in the management fee mentioned by the landlord. You should also ask about utilities, they are usually not included, things like water and power. Running air con units can get expensive.

I agree a serviced apartment may be a good idea, but I don't think you will find one at the HK12 k level. I like the 2 MacDonnell Road ones (I lived there for about 1 month on my last move here), but their lager units at 600 square feet will run about HK30 k for a month. That seems to me to be more the going rate for that size and location, actually. Take a look at http://www.twomr.com.hk. I like the location as it is close to the great walking path on Bowen Road, you can walk down to the Peak Tram station or Hong Kong Park in about 5 minutes or to Central in a bit more. It’s across the street from the small zoo and park by the old Governor’s mansion. This is a quiet residential neighborhood of high rises but more green than Caine Road and the access to Hong Kong Park and the Bowen Road walking path is a great plus IMO. The hotel has a free shuttle bus to Central as well, and a small gym a restaurant.

I was reading another forum that someone's going to Hong Kong for a month next week for work. He negotiated with the Harbour Plaza North Point hotel to get one month for HK$15,000. Upgraded to the harbour view deluxe room too.

Right now, hotel rate is still low (until late September). Especially if you're staying for a few weeks. You may want to do that first, then look for long term places in person while you're actually there.

At this moment, it would seem best for me to look for the apt when i move up to HK in Sept as the offer at Caine Road seems too good to be true.

At least i still get the 1st mth's accomodation taken care of by my company.

Thanks for all the advice!