House for Rent, Hanoi

Posted by hdj (1515 days ago)

A delightful house for rent on the most convenient and clean street of Hanoi, Lieu Giai.
Available from early January 2005.
25 s.q.m x 4 storey
With open western kitchen, cable TV, 2 TVs, aircons, fridge, dinning table and chairs, wardrobe.
Price: USD350/ month.
Interested, please contact Hien (84-4) 8348318 or reply to this.

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Posted by byebyeseattle (1424 days ago)

hi is this still available, and how close is this to hoan kiem lake and the old quarter? i am vietnamese-american, and i am looking for a house/apartment for approximately six months. if you have any pictures, please send to sean@seanngo.com. thank you and i hope to hear back from you soon.

Posted by ldldjr (1424 days ago)

Looking at my map, I guess that Lieu Giai is about 15 or 20 minutes from Hoan Kiem lake. Maybe a 40 minute walk - remember this is a guess!

Posted by Haley (1424 days ago)

Well, it's rather far away from Hoan Kiem lake in fact. It would take you 15-20 minutes by motorbike; and 1-1h30' walk.

Believe me, i'm a local one.;)

Posted by byebyeseattle (1424 days ago)

Ouch! Thank you for the info. I have been to Ha Noi once, but don't know most of the neighborhoods besides the Old Quarter really. If it's that far, I won't pursue this any further. Looking for something much closer - I will be doing a lot of walking when I am there ;)

Posted by ldldjr (1424 days ago)

Living in Nghi Tam, and taking the bus on a regular basis, I am willing to bet that the ride can take about 20 minutes on the bus (but you may wait 20 minutes for the bus!) - based upon my spouse's ride between two offices - one of which is on Lieu Giai, and the fact that I used to need 35 - 45 minutes to get from Xuan Dieu to UNIS on Kim Ma - but anyway it is too far for a regular walk. But on the other hand I don't think it is 1 1/2 hr either - being a regular walker myself.

Bus rides are about US$0.16 for a bus trip (change buses & it is another 0.16, unless you buy the monthly unlimited bus pass for the earth shattering sum of US$ 3.87, so it is not exactly a bank breaker.

Sean - I will send you an e-mail with info on a shared-housing room rental announcement - 3 expats looking for a 4th - $160/month, about 10 minutes or less (by bus) south of Hoan Kiem Lake. I know nothing about the place, just saw a notice this afternoon - minimum 3 months.

Posted by byebyeseattle (1423 days ago)

Thank you. I will see if I can contact them for more info.

Posted by ldldjr (1422 days ago)

As luck would have it, I got to go back out to Lieu Giai again this morning to help someone with some English editing. The old "L's Place" is still across the street from the Daewoo Hotel (in the massive parking lot - it is not obvious from the street). You definately want to look at their bulletin board if you are still looking for housing when you arrive.

Being somewhat perplexed that my earlier estimates could be that far off (based upon Haley's "local one" comment) I decided to check them.

Caught the #9 bus at Bo Ho (Hoan Kiem Lake), and I was at my destination 15 minutes later - xe om should take you 10 or less. Walking back I took 52 minutes to get back to where I started on Hoan Kiem. I figure the longer estimates must have been based upon rush-hour conditions during rainy weather.

;^)

Posted by byebyeseattle (1422 days ago)

Wow. That is dedication :)

Thank you for the info. I am sure I will still be looking for housing once I get to Ha Noi, since I don't have any exact dates yet. I will be in Saigon 1/27, and I will be booking a flight up to Ha Noi in late February or early March.

Thanks to all for keeping this threat alive!

Posted by ldldjr (1422 days ago)

It isn't dedication - it is being frosted that some people seem to think their local knowledge is better than other people's local knowledge!!!! ;^)

And I do like to walk - been up and down Kim Ma and all of the other streets I was on this morning many times! I was lamenting to myself as I was going along that I wasn't doing the sidestreet exploring that I normally like to do. And I was REALLY happy that it didn't start to rain (Seattle-style) until I was almost @ Bo Ho!

Did you get the shared housing e-mail that (I think) I sent you?

Posted by byebyeseattle (1422 days ago)

Yes, thank you for the email. I haven't had a chance to call them yet, but I will later this week. I am so busy with cleaning out my house, getting stuff online, and trying to rent it out that it's almost driving me crazy. Boy, I gotta say though, rent prices in Ha Noi and Sai Gon is huge, even for Seattle standards.

I also like to walk, so I am looking forward to it when I get there, though I am going to try and see if I have the nerve to ride a motorbike there - maybe rent for a week and see how it goes. Not knowing the streets and the laws may be a little tricky though...any thoughts on that?

Posted by ldldjr (1422 days ago)

Check out the bus system - it is the best deal going! (Today) You can get the latest bus route maps at Hieu Sach Ha Noi (Hanoi Bookstore) on Tranh Tien Street. You can rent a bike for around $5 a day (I think that is the going rate) if you are determined. Learn to walk before you ride though! Saw another one-room rental announcement for $180/mo "on west lake". You should be able to snag something whenever you show up. Flexibility will be the key.

Chào!

Posted by byebyeseattle (1420 days ago)

Cam on anh nhieu. You're sounding a lot more reasonable than I am :) Probably a lot of walking and taking the bus might be in order. I will definitely go to the Hanoi Bookstore. I get the feeling I will also have a lot of reading time as I try to find employment there...

I'm fairly flexible as I plan on staying at a locally owned Vietnamese hotel near Hoan Kiem Lake for a couple of weeks until I can find somethingmore suitable.

Chao anh.

Posted by Haley (1418 days ago)

Well, Idldjr: Sorry if you didn't feel comfortable of my own "local one" idea. It's just from my own experience, too : it always takes me 15-20 minutes from Lieu Giai to the Hoan Kiem Lake by motor; (with walking it's also just a guess). And i'm a local Vietnamese one, that's all.

To byebye: Another idea is that you can take teaching as a temporary job when seeking for a stable one. Chuc may man!;)

Posted by ldldjr (1418 days ago)

No problem. moto could reasonably be expected to go slower than a bus since they have less protection - although one would not know it from the way some (mainly young) people drive!

Posted by byebyeseattle (1416 days ago)

Thanks Haley. I am actually trying to get admitted into the Language Link institute in Ha Noi for a 4-week intensive certification program that will allow me to get the CELTA certification - program begins 02/28/05. I am still in process of applying, so I am not sure if I will make it in there or not since there apparently are some aptitude tests and interviews that I still have to go through. I am looking forward to that, and hopefully, once I get it, more professional opportunities will open up for me.

The Language Link is located at 3B Dang Thai Than St. Is this close to Hoan Kiem Lake? I just want to see if I need to book a hotel closer to the school (maybe within walking distance).

Also, the Infoshare newsletter is extremely helpful, and I plan on attending many of those events that were listed in the last newsletter. Thanks for hooking me up with that ldldjr!

Posted by Haley (1416 days ago)

The 3B Dang Thai Than Language Link (they have two places) is quite near the old street center (it's opposite to the Hanoi Hilton Opera Hotel). It would take me 7 minutes to walk to the Lake from that, and may take you less. ;)

Posted by EmmaS (1415 days ago)

Hi...

I'm doing the CELTA starting 28/2/05. Let me know if you get in! And yes, the CELTA us run at the Dang Thai Than school.

You could easily stay at the Bodega, Trang Tien, Bac Nam, or Dan Chu Hotels along Trang Tien. Then you would be close to the lake and Old Quarter, and close to the school as well.

Emma

Posted by byebyeseattle (1415 days ago)

Thanks Emma. I just took the language aptitude test earlier today via email. I hope I get in too! I will be disappointed if I don't.

The hotels that you mentioned, are they fairly inexpensive? I was thinking about staying at the Bao Khanh hotel until I can find more permanent residence. The cost there at the time was $18/night I think...basic hotel and room, but right next to Hoan Kiem Lake, clean and convenient.

Posted by EmmaS (1414 days ago)

Good luck with the CELTA admission!!!

The Dan Chu is around the $30++ mark, but the others are inexpensive ($10-$20). It might be nice to stay somewhere you've been before. Even though the Bao Khanh is around the other side of the lake from Language Link, it's really not far. And it's so close to the Polite Pub when you need some time out ;-)

When were you planning on arriving? Tet starts on the 9th.

Posted by byebyeseattle (1414 days ago)

Thanks Emma! I think you're probably right. Stick to Bao Khanh then I can check out the other ones after I arrive. Also, the aptitude test went fine, now the last hurdle appears to be a telephone interview next week. Boy, there sure are quite a few hurdles. Do you know what I can expect from the phone interview?

I won't arrive in Ha Noi until late February (before the 28th). I will be in Ho Chi Minh though late next week. Hope to make it to a beach and forget about everything before I head up to do the studies.

Hope to see you in class ;)

Posted by EmmaS (1414 days ago)

byebyeseattle..

That's great about the aptitude test - congrats. I did my interview in person, but I'm sure it would be the same thing over the phone. It's trying to get you to think about how you would handle situations in class. How would you teach "x". To be honest, mine felt like part interview, part discussion - it's quite interesting. Have you spoken to Language Link at all (not email)? I think the interview is also to gauge personality, etc. If they have spoken with you and have already let you pass the aptitude test, then I'm sure you will be okay.

Look, if you know the hotel and like it, then getting a xe om to LL each day is cheap and easy. And walking home might be welcome after a day in the classroom!

BTW... Good plan not coming to Hanoi at the moment. It's cold and wet!!! Hit the beach and have fun!

Posted by byebyeseattle (1404 days ago)

Well...I just wanted to let everyone know that I was formally accepted into the Language Institute to begin their CELTA program beginning 2/28. Unfortunately I have to pay them to learn ENGLISH myself, so if anyone has any ideas to transfer money to the institute's approved Vietnamese bank, I would highly appreciate it. I am in HCMC now, and I am not sure how I am going to do this since I can't just walk into my bank and do the transfer. Thoughts???

Thanks, and sorry about the bad news EmmaS.

Posted by EmmaS (1404 days ago)

Hey, congratulations byebyeseattle! Great news. Look forward to meeting you when you get to Hanoi! On the money front, I have one idea. You can go to the ANZ Bank in HCMC (11 Me Linh Square, Dist.1) and set up an account (all you need is your passport). If you have Visa, you can take a cash withdrawal on your Visa (at negligible cost), and put this into the ANZ account. They can then transfer this to the Language Link account at the branch. Will LL not take Visa?

Thanks for the sympathy, bbs. It's okay, I think he'll live. :-)

Posted by byebyeseattle (1403 days ago)

Thanks EmmaS. Someone was telling me to check into Western Union also, so I will see what the costs are both ways and also what is easier :) LL said that they will not take credit card. I assume that they don't want to pay Visa the normal 2% the merchants pay I guess...it's good to see capitalism alive and well in VN ;)

Posted by EmmaS (1402 days ago)

Ha, so true! It amazes me how few places (outside the tourist trade) take credit cards. We often go out with my fiance's colleagues, and when the boss goes to pay, he brings out this ENORMOUS wad of cash! Where's the corporate Amex when you need it?!

Posted by belle2 (1381 days ago)

Did the house ever get rented? I've watched this thread with interest.

Posted by byebyeseattle (1378 days ago)

I never heard back belle2. So I will be in Hanoi later today and looking for longer term housing if anyone knows of any. Thanks.

Posted by belle2 (1339 days ago)

Too late for you now. We must have arrived same time as you and we were totally lucky. I went to an agent next door to hotel - was shown a brand new apartment (small but perfectly formed) in Hang Dao for $300 and had an apartment in the hour. We had to wait 4 days for all the new appliances and bedding to be installed. It's great! We leave on May 6th if anyone is looking.

Posted by belle2 (1339 days ago)

Forgot to mention that the landlord was prepared to accept a 2 month lease but might insist on 3 months

Posted by byebyeseattle (1331 days ago)

thanks belle2. yes, i already have an apartment already. i am curious though because i think i may have seen the apartment you mentioned. does it have wood floors throughout and window that looks out into a garden court next to another apartment? if it's the same one, i tihnk i've seen it...very nice.

Posted by belle2 (1327 days ago)

I'm not sure, I know the apartment downstairs has wooden floors but am not sure about views. Mine doesn't have a view. We are going to miss it and am now looking for 6weeks accommodation in HCMC!