Discovery Bay vs Hong Kong Island

Posted by Tookey (360 days ago)

My husband, daughter (21 months) and myself have lived in DB for 12 months and really enjoy the lifestyle. However, I am thinking of returning to work, and am starting to think that DB is a good hour commute each way (once you factor in the walk at Central, and the bus at DB).

Does anyone have any thoughts about whether living in Mid-levels and/or Pokfulam would be better than staying in DB?

Thanks

Posted by Ed (359 days ago)

Moved to property

Posted by WoDer (359 days ago)

Pk Fu Lam is definitly better. DB is good for retired people.

Posted by jeffchoi (359 days ago)

If you would like to enjoy a similar lifestyle as DB you can always try visiting the Gold Coast area on Castle Peak Road. It has the low density living life style as DB with a shopping mall, beach, yacht club and hotel within the development. It has magnificent seaview and marina view, definately an unique living environment in HK.

It takes around 40min by public bus 962 to reach central which is shorter than DB and you dont have to change from ferry to bus also. It also has a shuttle bus service which takes you to central in the morning and take you home after work. Definately worth considering.

Posted by ldavy (359 days ago)

I disagree with WoDer. Personally I wouldn't want to live in DB but loads of people love it over there and there are lots of families with young children. It has bars and restaurants in the Plaza now so even has a bit of nightlife which is more than you can say for Pokfulam.

Anyway Tookey, you've lived there for a year so you know what it's like. Basically only you can decide whether you're willing to do the commute each day. You probably wouldn't have an hour's journey from Mid-Levels or Pokfulam - depending on where you worked - but you would be sitting on a bus, or in a taxi, and quite likely stuck in a traffic jam. Or you could walk from certain parts of Mid-Levels although that's not very attractive when it's too hot or pouring with rain.

If you like the lifestyle on DB then I'd stay there.

Posted by Patrick Yiu (358 days ago)

If you don't work for long hours, living in DB is not a problem. I worked in DB for five years and live in Tin Hau at the time, commutting on boat was so relaxing, you can read, work on laptop or take a nap. The only draw back I'd say is you have to watch the timetable when you go back and forth, little restricted for night life.

Posted by ozcalgal (358 days ago)

We moved from DB to Pokfulam 2 years and ago and really like being on HK island. That being said, Pokfulam doesn't have too many shops or restaurants like DB does, but then you only have to get in taxi for a short ride to Soho, central and even stanely were there are plenty of great restaurants. We see so much more of HK now that we live on the island then we ever would have living in DB...and we find the people better on the island.

Posted by Tookey (358 days ago)

Thanks for some great responses. Ozcalgal - is Pokfulam more expensive than DB, both rental wise and just general living costs. I sometimes find that the Park-n-shop here is more expensive than other places. Are the flats bigger as well? I'm guessing probably not, I should really go and just have a look!

Posted by ldavy (358 days ago)

Tookey,
I have no idea about Park-n-shop but yes, rents are more expensive in Pokfulam than in DB.

Posted by Cucaracha (356 days ago)

We moved to Baguio Villa in Pokfulam a little over a half a year ago. We are passionately in love with our new home. We enjoy spectacular views, a Park n Shop downstairs, buses that stop at our front door and finding a taxi is never a problem. As if all of this weren't already enough, we also have Cyberport within a 5 minute walk, which has cinemas, restaurants, a shopping mall and a dog friendly park. Baguio Villa is very peaceful with relatively large apartments. In the morning, on the express mini-green bus, it takes only 10 minutes to reach Central. On the non-express buses, it takes more like 20 minutes. BV was the perfect find for us.

Posted by Patrick Yiu (355 days ago)

Rental in Baguio Villa has increased dramatically since the opening of the new international school. 1500' is now $40K, only fair condition, compare you could get a good one at $35K last year.