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anonymous
Q: Why are Hutong houses less expensive than apartments in Beijing?
Even really good looking Hutong houses the prices are really affordable and reasonable. Can any one tell me why they're so much lower and why more foreigners don't opt to live in them?
To rent?
I've previously heard that foreigners can only live in gated communities (with a checkpoint). Not sure if it's enforced.
To buy?
Because they'll all be demolished within a few years.
One likely reason, not the only one... The plumbing and the insulation is often very primitive, unless the house have been refurbished. Some hutongs have public toilets (and even public showers) for a reason : the houses do not have toilets and sometime, not even showers. That makes life not so cozy.
icnif77:
You seem very familiar with 'hutongs'.....Same as I am/was with Chungking
Actually, a lot of foreigners live in Beijing's hutongs. Many of them have now got upgraded kitchens and bathrooms but the plumbing and insulation, like DrMonkey said, can be really disappointing.
Because the landlord hasn't told you about the letter he has just received from the developers re: pulling it down to build another apartment block. He will tell you after he gets his advance rent and deposit. 
