As I planning to move to Sheung Wan in order to start my new career here last month, I searched a…read moreflat for rent online, and I spotted Kamson Property Agency on Yelp's comment, after left a quick message, and I was surprised that they answered me in very quick response, which made me feel good and professional. Then I decided to visit their office and go deep to looking for a flat that I can afford and fit my needs. The agent that was assigned to me, Brian, is a nice and gentle, also informative man that genuinely is trying to get me the flat that I want. After asked some questions and some quick searches, he managed to find a fit, a great one for me. After chatting with Brian, I've came to learn that they are setting a good standard in their field. The most useful and insightful I've come across, you can ask him about his opinions on property matters. After the whole process, tt's easy to understand why they having a good reputation. I highly recommend Brian as his English is excellent, provided professional properties details to me, which help me saved a lot of time! And of course, really appreciated his efforts and eventually found me a place that greatly exceeded my expectations, based on the preliminary searching we had done online. The entire process was handled smooth and professionally. Not just Brian, also their helpful staffs. So, if you're looking for an agency / agent around Central, Sheung Wan and Sai Ying Pun, They must be your first choice to ask for consultations.

If you are looking to buy a property in the Sheung Wan / Sai Ying Pun area, then I would thoroughly…read morerecommend you pay a visit to Kamson Property. They have a great selection of properties to buy or rent, especially at the lower price range, which, unless you are LKS, means most of us. You will be able to find properties on both their own website, or Squarefoot, but as with all agencies and websites, you may find that those advertised are long gone. Despair not though, the chaps at Kamson will have a library of alternatives for you to view. What I did like was their excellent English. There are so many agencies, especially the more local and/or the ones with lower cost stock, that do not speak any English. If you are in the market, I would recommend you ask for Terrence. He is a great agent (with excellent English), and really does listen to your needs and wants. If you ask him to set his research at a price, he will do so, not a million more than your budget. He can be a bit difficult to pin down, especially if you are trying to fix up a specific time to view, but this is often due to landlord availability. Do give them a try if you are looking to buy in their area.

The greatest thing about Okay.com, apart from its name and never forgetting its website, are the…read morestaff that work in it. I've been fortunate enough to receive advice on buying/renting in Hong Kong by some of Okay's professionals. The agent that was assigned to me, Daniel, is a charming, informative man that genuinely is trying to get me the flat I want and not the quickest turn around between clients. After some questions and some quick searches we managed to find a fit, a great one at that. The things that gets on my nerves the most when house hunting is stating a budget. In most places I'll say my budget is $14,000, for example, and I'll be shown places in the $18,000 range. I'm treated as a number rather than a human. Not so at Okay.com. After speaking with Daniel and some of the other staff, I've come to learn that Okay.com is really pushing to set the standard in their field, and in my eyes already are. Their website is one of the most useful and insightful I've come across, and it contains a small section where you can ask the agents their opinions on property matters. It's easy to understand why they are growing rapidly, and why both agents and clients are attracted to the company. I don't know about you but I've never enjoyed house hunting with the usual agents. Maybe it's a mindset that is drilled into their agents, or maybe it's something else, but I don't feel any loyalty. "I'll call you next week." Means I'll probably never hear from them again. When property is such a profitable business I can understand certain attitudes. Okay.com really is something that Hong Kong needs to shake up the competition and is certainly the place that I will go to for answers and property.

I know Yelp isn't as big here in HK as it is back in North America, but I've gotta give these guys…read morea shout-out and their first Yelp review, just in case any fellow relocating expats take a look here when searching for an agent. I highly recommend Paul Hoosang as his English is excellent and he found my wife and I a place that greatly exceeded our expectations, based on the preliminary searching we had done online. The entire process was handled professionally and seamlessly, including arranging the utilities set up on our behalf. If you're looking for an agent to take the stress out of finding a new rental in a new city, look no further!

One of the interesting difference between Hong Kong and the States or other western countries is…read morehow we deal with our household situations. In the States, you have everything in Home Depot, which is probably far away from down town and next to a highway. Big arse shop where you can practically get anything there. In Hong Kong, we have all these local shops in each neighborhood. There was one when I lived in North Point, and there was one in Wanchai. Here comes the one in the Mid-Levels. Yeah you wonder, how the hell they can sell you everything you need, with the size of the shop only 1/100th of Home Depot. Yeah that's the mystery I haven't actually solved, but I gladly take that as a fact. Shower head? You got it. That rubber covering the leg of a chair? Yes we have all different sizes and shapes. That something something that I can't even describe it, but here's a picture? Yup, no problem at all. And they have an all-in-one electrician/locksmith/plumber as well. Usually he's not in the shop, so you have to make an appointment with the lady at the shop. He would come anytime from 1 to 2 hours at usual hours. I don't think he's on call 24/7, so thankfully I never had to call him off working hours. And the service / accessories are reasonably cheap. Of course the price could go down another dollar or two in North Point, but that's probably not significant to most of us, but to them so I'd never mind paying for a fair price for a fair service.

Super helpful and responsive. Called or messaged like 30 other companies that didn't get back to me…read moreor were a bit scammy, but this guy was fair in price and fixed my blackout electricity issue. D

Simply delicious Peking duck!! So moist, crisp skin, perfect crepe like wrapper with a hint of…read moresesame seeds. The duck soup was creamy, not oily and delicious. Good with added wonton. Had a rice with seafood and taro on top... Okay. Spicy glass noodles with scallops. Delicous. Spinach? Rolls. Pretty good. Had a herb taste just couldn't pin point which kind.

We had a rehearsal dinner here and it was so special. Incredible view of the harbour and the light…read moreshow. The food is very high quality traditional Chinese food. The pork belly appetizer is delicious, as is the duck. Our service was impeccable and the wine selection is fantastic. Definitely a great choice for a special occasion.

OK, the old Central Market is probably the only building in the whole Central that doesn't "fit…read morein", and same goes the shops still operating in it, primarily on the first floor where they catch arguably the most number of people commuting every day connecting the Mid-Levels Escalator and IFC/MTR station. Anyway, while most of the shops seem shady and a waste of space, Perfect Shoe and Key is quite handy. We used to find shoe & key service at MTR stations, but seemingly not as many operating now as the old days. (By the way, never know the reason why shoe and key service are always put together.) When I walked in the shop, I usually got this only staff there. He usually said nothing, stared dead in your eyes, and his only face expression is ain't-no-time-for-espressione. Give him the shoes, and he'll take care of the shoes. Give him the keys, he will take care of the keys. No questions asked, no unnecessary chitchat. Like hiring a hitman, but this is much cheaper. (And I never ever hired a hitman, just for the record...) I paid maybe $20 for like a couple of spared keys, and I paid HKD$450 to replace the completely worn-off bottom of both my shoes which originally worth HKD$3,500. That $450 can now probably double my shoes lifespan. So here you go, very efficient, really reasonably priced, at a fairly convenient location, and get the job done. Couldn't ask for more (yes, I could actually.... Maybe a smile here and there?)

It's hard to find something to say about a small shoe repair and key cutting store - they cut keys…read moreand repair shoes. However, I always go to the same place 'cos I like the lovely old "uncle" dude who does the work there. He's understated, never fusses and just gets the job done without that often prevalent HK grumbling. Perfect is located in the dingy little "art" tunnel that joins the end of the esco with IFC mall. It is a simple shop, that repairs shoes and cuts keys, so what is the big deal. They are cheap! For a store (and note I say store and not back alley canopy in Wan Chai) that is right in the middle of Central, the cost of a key cut is pocket change. The last time I did and admittedly simple Yale style key, it was less than HKD20. It's so cheap in fact that my family in the UK send their keys over to me to get them cut and then I send them back. With the postage it's still cheaper than home! The key stocks are also plentiful. I have never been there and had cut refused due to a lack of the correct base key. Uncle key cutter also does shoes. Mrs L sends all her shoes there to be resoled and repaired, and given the state of many of her shoes, they do a great job. Just a few weeks ago we were out and about when Mrs L's sole fell off. Fortunately we were in IFC, so a quick run (or flappy shoed hobble) over to Perfect, and she had her shoe re-glued in about 5 minutes. Again it was only HKD20. On that last visit, I noticed a shoe stretching machine which I must use soon. I have a tight right which need to be addressed!