South of Hollywood Road: SOHO

Kennedy Town

If speaking about Central as housing district, there is nowhere but SOHO, located in Mid-Levels bordering Sheung Wan, that is so popular among young expats. The name SOHO actually is extracted from the brief description of its location - "South of Hollywood Road".

Once the backstreet of Central lined with printing workshops, Dai Pai Dong's and grocery stores, SOHO has been transformed into a hip new residential district for the younger expats who fancy the wealth of exciting bars and pubs, and the wide selection of restaurants that this neighbourhood and Lan Kwai Fong proudly present.

By estimation, about half of the properties are occupied by expats. Of these occupants, about 40 per cent are landlords themselves. Do not expect spacious apartments - most are sizing less than 400 sq.ft. with some latest properties of around 600-700 sq.ft.

If you are on a lower budget, Central's counterparts such as Sheung Wan, Sai Wan, Sai Ying Pun and Kennedy Town do supply plentiful residential properties suitable for expats, especially the last one.

Recently Kennedy Town has seen a growing number of expats moving into its newly built luxury high-rises along the waterfront. In 2005, the Hong Kong government laid out plan to extend the Island Line of MTR westwards to Kennedy Town. Travel times to Central and Causeway Bay are estimated to be 10 and 12 minutes respectively upon proposed completion in 2011. At the moment, this neighbourhood is served by tram and other public transportation tools. Commute to Central takes some 15 minutes only.