I have an American friend that wants to visit HK for 3 months. What would you guys recommend in terms of finding affordable housing? Thanks!

Rent a place on one of the islands. Lots of westerners who stay for a few months do that.

There are places around HK/Kowloon that specialize in short term rentals. Some are quite nice. What is your definition of affordable? The cheapest decent place I know of asks HK$ 12,500/mth.

There are always offers in the HK Magazine/SCMP for flat shares for HK$ 5000 or so.

Exactly what kind of housing are you talking about here? Other than short term rental bldgs, most landlords aren't interested in renting for only a few months. And where would I find info on these places?

There are a few service apartments that gives you a small room with a tiny bathroom and kitchen
for about $8,500/month. I can't remember where but saw posters on the streets from time to time.

Mars ... Jake is right, there are houses/flats in Lantau for rent by the month and of course a
lot more reasonable then in town. You need to go there and look at the real estate shops !

But if you come into central every day, wouldn't the transportation fees eat up most of the savings had from living on Lantau? and that would mean what - 2 hrs commute time each day?

Absolutely correct, the ferry ride would eat up part of the difference but its the time that's the real problem ...
and making your way to the ferry peer.  If you live there and don't need to travel to town much then its OK.
BTW ... I don't think there are any 141 girls there, and certainly no hotel girls  

Somebody I know is letting a place out at silvermine bay on Lantau for about 8000-9000HKD a month, 3 Bed, kitchen fully aircon , fully fitted. One of those new build type 3 story places with a roof terrace. His tennant is leaving pretty soonish.

Problem is its out in Lantau which means 1 bus every half an hour to Pui O harbour, which takes 20 minutes, then an hour ferry to central which eats up the $$$, I know cus I stayed there for a bit.

Or you can go the other way , bus OVER the mountain to erm Tung Chung which takes 40 minutes is scary watching the bus drivers do handbrake turns on mountain roads and then get the MTR into town which takes 15 minutes.

Also packed full of weekend day trippers who leave their trash on the beach all the time.

You can also try next door to my dad's place in Tai Po , its out in the sticks but its cheap,


BUT

But for a 3 month let I recommend you stay in the slums which are Mirador mansion or Chungking Mansion , block C which are small and cramped but you can get a ensuite room for $14 USD a night or a communial room ie bunk beds sleeps 4-10 a room for as little as $8 USD a night. $3000 HKD for a month, which ain't bad, infact if you negotiate with the guest house owners you may even get a discount saves the owners hustling people on Nathan Road.

If you want to be in the heart of CWB and you don't have claustrophobia, you could try a "service apartment" for around 6500/month with internet.  Don't expect hotel decor and furnishing though.  It's basically a big flat that has been chopped up into 4-5 very small flats with a bed, shower and toilet.

yup. have tried staying there. it's not so expensive.. but always full.  you have to book at least 3 weeks to a month in advance

And it's not just Lantau. Lamma and Peng Chau are also popular - and cheaper than Lantau.

there are also serviced flats showing up at the Hutchison/Cheung Kong development at Hung Hom for about $8,000/mth (about US$1,000/month) including maid service.  Close to the rail station if you are going anywhere in GD province often

TRY........

http://islandproperty.com.hk/serviced_apartment.php

or

http://www.geoexpat.com/  (Classifieds)

Thanks for all the replies! But yeah, my friend is a woman, so safety would be a top priority. I'll browse around the links you guys posted.

A lady friend ? ... well if she's decent looking, I'm sure a few bros here would put her up in their flat FOC !!!  

Haha...she's much better than decent looking...I promise you that. I'm sure the bros would put her up FOC...only if they could do her FOC ;)

I'm sure some of us can do a bit better then that ... provide her with room and board with no strings attached !  

OK you guys out there ... put you name down and get in the queue !  

in that case, i'll give you the serviced flat address right next to my office!!!