Murkydepths

My husband has just been offered a new role it looks like we ( including our little boy 19 months old) will be relocating to Hong Kong from the UK in January. We really have very little knowledge about the different areas in Hong Kong to live in and would greatly appreciate any advice. I have read a few of the other posts but our situation seems a little bit different. My husband will be working mainly from home but also flying from HK to other countries in Asia 1 or 2 times a week so good links to Central aren't necessary but a reasonable journey to the Airport is. We are pushing for a budget for our apartment rental of up to 40,000hkd. We would like somewhere that is near to a park or outside space, there are some playgroups/toddler groups where we can socialise and close to local amenities. I want to be able to quickly throw myself and my son into expat life and not feel too isolated or homesick!! We are coming over next weekend to look around HK to start trying to work out where we might like to live and have no idea where to start currently so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

ex reg

Unless you believe you must be on the island then I'd suggest Clearwater Bay through Silverstrand, Hebe Haven, Sai Kung, maybe even as far as Tso Wo Hang.

Great views from the right property.
Lots of ex pats but not as many or as overpowering as the Island.
Good access even to the airport, used to be a 45 minute taxi ride.

When you get there have a look.
So much less congested then the Island.

But there really many alternatives.
We liked our time up the top of Fo Tan.

Really unless you provide something to help limit the choice then posters will suggest nearly everywhere in HK.

Murkydepths

It is difficult to narrow the search down beyond the points I made in the original post as we have not been to HK yet to see it but would like to try and narrow and search areas for when we go.
The main points
1. not necessarily near the airport but good links as my husband will be using it most weeks so a fairly direct and easy journey
2. I will not be working when I move there so would like a place with a good expat community nearby for me and my son to throw ourselves into
3. Need a nice clean modern 3 bedroom apartment without going much over our budget. A balcony would be good with some parks and play areas near.

Th areas which have been mentioned to us by others are Discovery Bay ( but may be too 'unreal' for us), Park Island (looks good but not sure about amenities) or Kowloon station/Olympic. We do not need to be any where near Central as the rents are so high. Hoping that some of you guys can help shed some light for us so we can spend time next weekend on the areas we think will work for us.
Thanks

bakedbean

Hi murky and welcome to the forum

As well as ex regs good advice, do take a browse through the existing topics on here as a lot of others have asked similar questions. All the best with the move.

penguinsix

Many pilots live out in "Cathay Village" or whatever it is called near Tung Chung. Might be a bit too far out for your liking but there is a community of pilots and pilot families around there.

Tsing Yi might be another option. It's on the airport express to the airport (15 minutes or so) and also not that far away from getting to Central by MTR. Quite a few modern buildings there connected to a shopping mall at the train station.

Olympic and Kowloon are also on the Airport Express. Prices will be a bit higher there for more modern buildings. We looked at the Hermitage which was a monster just built there connected to the Olympic mall. Pretty modern and probably something in your price range.

I should note our general bit of advice--schools first, housing second. While not an issue for a few years, you should consider the fact that if you are here for another couple years you may end up moving again to give Junior a shorter commute time to whatever school place you can find for them (the international school situation in HK is extremely complicated and competitive).

Is there any chance of a corporate apartment for a month when you arrive and then signing a lease after you have your feet on the ground? A recon trip is good but having a more relaxing 1-2 month grace period before you sign a lease is also helpful.

hong_konger

It really depends on how long you plan to be in Hong Kong. If just a couple of years or you dont know yet then in your circumstances I would suggest somewhere in the thick of it on the Island (Central, Wanchai, mid-levels) or Kowloon (TST, Kowloon Tong). You will have the convenience of all the expatriate niceties, your hubby will have easy access to the airport and baby will have plenty of access to playgroups etc.

If you are, or there is a strong likelihood of you being in Hong Kong for the medium / long term then you need to consider three important things. 1. Schooling, 2. Schooling and 3. Schooling !!! In such circumstances Sai kung / Clearwater Bay should be seriously considered.

bkk_mike

I have to agree with hong_konger...

I've seen people have to give up good jobs in Hong Kong and move away simply because their kid couldn't get into an International school (and this is at initial entry at 5yo. I have no idea what people who move to Hong Kong with older kids do.)

I know another couple with a kid who live in mid-levels, and their kid has a longer commute than they do (kid has to go to Aberdeen for school, as that was the closest school they could get her into.)

Personally, I left mine in an International school in Thailand, staying in our house in Bangkok with my wife, while I went to work in Hong Kong for a month at a time, and worked from home in Thailand the rest of the time.

I do have another suggested location though. While I was still thinking of taking the family to HK with me, I looked at a place called Grand Promenade in Sai Wan Ho. The commute to the airport is maybe a bit long for you (Island line to Central + Airport link - or taxi to the airport link when you've got luggage - taxi's in Hong Kong aren't as cheap as Bangkok, but they're a LOT cheaper than the UK), but it ticks all your other boxes - children's play area inside the complex itself, near a park, shopping at CityPlaza (Taikoo) is walking distance, etc. and as it's next to the harbour, it's got good views if you're on the right side of the building.