Renting accomodation in Hanoi

So you want to move out of the backpackers and into a nice place like mine! Hehe, it's a nice place... The easiest way is to check out the classifieds on the New Hanoian website, there are tons of expats and teachers looking to share accommodation!

You can easily find second hand furniture to make your place nice. However, most apartments and houses come with furniture already, usually fairly tacky Asian armchairs and coffee tables.

The real estate market in Hanoi is very erratic. "Investors" (speculators) have built too many "high end" "luxury" residences, that most Vietnamese people cannot afford. Many are renting luxury abodes for much less than they would like to foreigners willing to pay higher prices.

A 4 bedroom apartment in Ciputra can be had for $1000 when the original asking price from any real-estate agent would be $2400. A three bedroom can be had for around $800. Agents usually ask for one months rent in advance.

Be careful in Hanoi when choosing property as there is an enormous amount of construction in this town! You don't want to end up with a jackhammer next to your ear at 6am...but mostly this cannot be avoided..as my poor friend Mal found out moving to three different houses with the same problem!!

Good luck!