Boasting the title of “most vertical city in the world”, Hong Kong housing is mostly low and high rise apartments.
Overview
Most flats will require a month’s rent in advance and a deposit (usually also 1 month’s rent); if you are using an estate agent then an agency fee may also apply (usually equivalent to half a month’s rent). So please note, you will need up to 2.5 month’s rent to start up accommodation here. The deposit is usually returned to you at the end of your lease. The amount you pay will be determined by location and whether you live alone or share. Current teachers are paying between $3500-$5500HKD (living in a shared house with room mates) and $7000HKD+ (living alone in a small “studio apartment”).
In the certain areas of Hong Kong (such as Causeway Bay and Wan Chai), you are going to pay more per square foot. Living alone in central locations you can expect to find “studio apartments”, which are basically very small one room living environments (often without washing machines or even kitchens). The bathroom, which will be the only extra “room”, often consists of a shower nozzle over your toilet (the benefit being you can clean your toilet while you shower…). Some places to look for housing are listed below.
Hong Kong Island
- Kennedy Town
- A mix of old and new HK. Upcoming neighborhood, with lots of young people.
- Sai Ying Pun
- A trendy area, featuring tucked away restaurants, bars, and more.
- Wan Chai
- Features one of the big pub and bar districts.
- Causeway Bay
- The go-to area for tourists and shopping.
- North Point/Fortress Hill
- A local feel, in a very central location. Well connected with buses.
Kowloon
- Mong Kok
- One of the most densely populated areas in the world. Fast, and busy.
- Jordan
- A little less crazy than Mong Kok, and can be very cheap.
- Yau Ma Tei
- Has lots of local shops, and restaurants, but is only a short walk from the busier districts.
- Sham Shui Po
- Cheaper housing, and surrounded by street markets that sell anything you can imagine.
- Kowloon City
- No MTR, but well connected with buses. A self-contained area that features local shops, restaurants, and has a strong character.
Of course, these are just a small sample of districts to give you an idea of what areas have on offer. Due to its density, Hong Kong can be a very diverse place, and change significantly from district to district.