[Grarypealumma]

Hi all, looks like the dust have finally settled and we wil be heading over to HK around the end of this year/early next year.

Just a few quick questions:

How much rent should I be budgeting? I am looking to stay somewhere close to Central and near the MTR (and hopefully near the dojo). We wont be sharing. Any suggested areas would be great.

What should I be expecting in ways of living expenses? (say, as compared to London?)

How's the pollution? (can't imagine it'll be worse than Taiwan, but hey).

Many thanks.

[LoohornePharp]

Hi all, looks like the dust have finally settled and we wil be heading over to HK around the end of this year/early next year.

Just a few quick questions:

How much rent should I be budgeting? I am looking to stay somewhere close to Central and near the MTR (and hopefully near the dojo). We wont be sharing. Any suggested areas would be great.

What should I be expecting in ways of living expenses? (say, as compared to London?)

How's the pollution? (can't imagine it'll be worse than Taiwan, but hey).

Many thanks.

From when I used to live in HK, rent was about 1500USD for a 3 bedroom flat in Fortress Hill, which is 2 stops away(Walking distance) from Times Squar. The Dojo is closer to Times Square than Central. If you are going to stay on the Kowloon side(mainland), the new territories is cheaper but fecking faaaaaar away.

Living expenses as far as food goes is pretty decent but it depends on where you hang out and choose to eat. If you are fine with eating local food then you can eat cheap. If you go to party in places like Central, Lan Kwai Fong(LKF), Times Sq you'll need cash (about a 1000HKD/150USD for a bottle of Chivas).

Kendo is 2000HKD to join up and 1000HKD per month.

Then there's the various hobbies you are going to pick up like airsoft rifles/pistols, urban vinyl, wakeboarding, girls, drinking, girls, etc.

Pollution isn't that bad.

Oooo...and if you live in Fortress Hill(moreso, City Garden sq) you get to see eagles.

Jenny's(Mingshi) probably the best person to talk to at the moment.

[UTHZzJ6f]

KML,

Thanks for your input.

So which dojo is the one near Central/Time Square?

[DiBellaBam]

Its the one located in Queen Elizabeth Stadium/Sports hall. If you are familiar with Time Square; Exit the Causeway bay station exit at times Square, walk past the Cinema entrance(Calvin Klein should be on your right and Time Sq on your left) and keep going until you reach the main road with the overpass highway. Cross over to the other side of the road and then turn left and walk up it. The hall is about 200 or so metres further up.

Or you can catch a cab and follow the club members after training to get your bearings.

[Wavgbtif]

Kendo is 2000HKD to join up and 1000HKD per month.

What crappy dojo is that?? Mine costs HK$780 for 3 months and $200 is the annual association fee.

In terms of housing, prices can be ridiculously high for downtown areas (tiny flat, noise, air pollution, etc)... $9000 can get you a 500sq.ft in Central, or the same price for 700 sq.ft if you can withstand 1 hr commuting every day.

Oddly enough, we got blue sky for the past 2 weeks, adding to the 30oC+ heat. Air is bad in winter, and everybody seems to develop hayfever all year round.

Kendo-wise, on average we have a hachidan visiting every month if you fancy that, and plenty of high grades from local and Japanese who are here for business. Overall if your work isn't as crazy as most local people have, you'll enjoy training much better. Oh we have air-con too.

[12Dvop4I]

What crappy dojo is that?? Mine costs HK$780 for 3 months and $200 is the annual association fee.

The main one at Queen Elizabeth...which was the reason I stopped trainning in HK...and I didn't have Jenny to show me around.

See Kanyil? Local knowledge goes a looooong long way

[Zdmlscid]

Much appreciated Jenny and KML.

Work will probably be crazy, but I am hoping that I will be able to keiko once in a while.

Where is your dojo Jenny?

[Intory]

Kanyi - you leaving Aust permanently?

[WoCTrt0X]

We share the sports facilities at QEII stadium with the HKKA (which is the association and also a dojo). Further info:-

www.gudoseishinkankendoj.org.hk