Mainland Chinese students studying in Hong Kong are increasingly choosing purpose-built student residences over traditional private rental apartments, despite higher rental costs. These professionally managed accommodations provide conveniences and amenities that many find outweigh the premium price.
Students report that dedicated student housing offers enhanced security, clearer cost structures, and better living environments. For some, these benefits compensate for monthly rents that exceed those of many private flats, as well as for occasionally longer commutes.
Qi Zhonghao, a master’s student in robotics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), shared his experience living first in a subdivided unit—a converted village house near campus—before moving to an off-campus student hall. He said subdivided units cost about HK$7,000 to HK$8,000 per month for a single room with a private bathroom. However, these units normally lack communal kitchens and prohibit cooking, requiring residents to rely on takeaway meals or restaurants, which increases overall living expenses. He also noted limited security and slow maintenance responses in these accommodations.
Currently residing at Brim Youth, a private student residence managed by China Resources Longdonation, Qi praised its comprehensive amenities including a gym, communal kitchens, activity spaces, and weekly cleaning services. He said the monthly rent, starting at HK$9,600 for a single room, fits his budget and is easier to manage since utilities such as water, electricity, and internet are included in a fixed monthly fee. Brim Youth is located in Tsuen Wan, close to Kwai Hing MTR station, and is Hong Kong’s first flagship long-term youth rental project developed by China Resources Longdonation.
The shift towards purpose-built student residences coincides with rising demand for student housing in Hong Kong. A recent estimate by real estate firm CBRE projects an increase of 150,000 higher-education students in the city by 2035, which would require an additional 70,000 student beds.
Major mainland Chinese developers, including China Resources Longdonation, China Merchants Group, JD.com, and CICC Capital, have responded by acquiring properties such as hotels and mixed-use buildings to convert into student housing. China Merchants Commercial Real Estate Investment Trust (CMC Reit) completed a HK$528.5 million purchase last month of The Quad in Hung Hom from Easyknit International. The property, now part of CMC Reit’s CM+U student housing brand, offers 205 beds and reports full occupancy. Monthly rents range from about HK$8,000 per bed space to between HK$12,500 and HK$17,000 for single rooms. Market insiders estimate the project’s net yield at around 4.8 percent after operating costs.
Brandy, a master’s student in Chinese history and culture at the Polytechnic University, currently lives at CM+U in Tsim Sha Tsui. She noted that student accommodations provide better value compared to many private housing options, which often suffer from overcrowding, aged facilities, and elevator delays during peak hours. She also highlighted stricter management practices, including mandatory submission of university acceptance letters at check-in, which contribute to a safer and more consistent resident community.
Fan, a first-year language science and technology master’s student at the same residence, described the accommodation as good value, mentioning that units are fully furnished and even supplied with daily essentials upon move-in, easing the transition.
While private residential buildings near railway lines have been favored by mainland students historically, the growing appeal of purpose-built student housing is challenging this trend amid rising student populations and increased professional development of student residences.