Sorry old boy. No idea what a newbie SO gets in housing....Id guess 22-25k/per month.
If you opt for the cash its only 14k, I think. (until youve done 2yrs)
Leasing? Youre v.v.v.v. unlikley to sign a short term lease! The 'standard' lease is 2yrs but you can leave after 12mths by giving 2mths notice. ie: the shortest period is 14mths.
You can opt to "break-lease" at anytime but the penalty clause is 2mths rent!
This doesnt much matter if youre taking the cash or using the rental allowance. A lease is a lease.
Your best moves are:
a. Serviced Apartment. You can rent these monthly....and you can still get the full housing allowance.
b. Look on
www.asiaxpat.com.hk for a short term lease and/advertise yourself.
c. Wait til you get to HK (Cathay) and advertise on the board in ops (there maybe someone away on leave/temp basing who will rent you their flat...normally cash only!)
d. Flatshare. Again advertise on Asia Expat and rent a room for 2-3mths.
All that said....a serviced apartment is your best bet (details on the above website). It wont take much time to get a feel for a place for your family (everyone is a guru, you'll get more advice than you want/need).
The easy option is just to stay in the CX Hotel (Headland) while youre under training; search for places on you days off, and when youre happy...sign a lease and check out of the hotel.
CX will pay you hotel bill for 6mths on joining.
The only downside is "living at work" but if youre a yank with a beer gut, talk frustratingly loudly about ice-hockey and football, wear denim shorts and shiny white trainers with socks pulled up....you'll fit right in!!
No shortage of generalisations there
Tick, tock, tick, tock......