Posted by
shirls
18 yrs ago
Thinking about buying an appartment in Park Island. Anyone have any ideas on the living environment and the commute to central? Are there many expats living there? Also are unblocked sea-view flats at approx HK$4000-4500/sq ft, are a good deal? Any thoughts?
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Thanks oldhand, any idea on whether it's a good place to be living in? many expats around?
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I love it. The actual ferry trip is only 20 minutes, add 5 for in and out of pier. I work high up in mid levels and walk up the escalator from central pier. Door to door 45 minutes. The bus then train from Tsing Yi is actually about 5 minutes faster but I prefer the peaceful ferry ride.
Not just ferry's to Central and Tsuen Wan , but scheduled (as opposed to the shuttle type) buses to Kwai Fong, and Tsing also soon to be an airport bus and there are several mini bus routs there as well.
There are currently more than 12 restaurants, a Park N Shop, 2 (soon 3) convenience shops, several hardware/home-ware shops and some local veg/food shops. Also the Tsuen wan plaza with Jusco, and Ikea is a 15 minute ferry and the Tsuen wan wet market is just 5 minutes from the ferry pier.
The sea view apartments are great I prefer the north facing ones though the twin bridge view is a higher price so I guess more preferred by others. My friend was one of the presale buyers in PI and they have seen a consistent rise in value throughout poor economy and SARS. All I hear is that the pundits expect the price to continue to rise at least for the next few years.
Park island has a reasonable sized expat population and a lot of highly educated, world traveled, local residents.
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Thanks Chef, appreciate the insights! I didn't realize that there were some minibus routes too, where can I get information of those routes? What districts do they go to? Thanks again!
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ktntl
18 yrs ago
Hi Shirls, I have been living on Park Island (renting a flat) for 8 months now and like it very much as well. I live in a Phase 1 flat but have visited some of the Phase 2 ones on the high floors with sea view and I think they are quite good value. Phase 3 is now currently under construction.
Regarding the ferry and bus routes, you can find some more information on the Park Island Transport Company website:
http://pitcl.com.hk/chi/html/index.asp
There is also a bus to Tsuen Wan that does not appear on that website though.
What size are you thinking of buying?
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but i went there at midnigth and found the plane noise unacceptable.
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Thanks ktntl, i'm thinking of getting a 10xx sf ft appartment in phase 1. I like those ones cause they have an unblocked seaview and can see the bridges. I have also been told that at night, (as happyday mentioned) the planes are very noisy cause that's when more of the cargo plans fly and those are louder than the passenger ones. Anyone can shed some light on this? Also in terms of price apprecation / depreciation, would you suggest buying or renting on park island?
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if i were you, i will visit the place at midnight so you know whether u can accept it. People has diff noise tolerent level.
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thanks happyday, i think that would be the safest option. BTW does anyone know why so many people are moving out though? There are a lot of appartments on the market. Am I missing something?
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How bad is the noise at Park Island? I'm meant to move there in Aug. Doesn't HK have a law that restricts planes from flying in the middle of the night?
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http://sc.info.gov.hk/gb/www.cad.gov.hk/english/ac_noise.html#measure
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Block 2 has no noticeable airplane noise I assume that would be true of blocks 1, 3, 5, 6, 7 and probably 8 as well. Sometimes we hear ship foghorns but seldom as disturbing. We kept the Master bedroom windows closed all winter but with all other windows opened we slept soundly.
Where in HK can you find silence? I think the back facing Phase 1 and front facing phase 3 get the most noise from planes. On the side I am on the planes are quite nice to watch but still too high and over Sham Tseng so no noise. They do start landing near the bridge so those guys get some noise.
That said I have a friend who owns block 16 facing the bridge and they say the noise that bugs them is the octopus card reader of the bus stop beep beep beep. General airplane noise while walking my dog is unnoticeable to me. Just general background noise (to my ear) and it is significantly better than where I work (central) or where I used to live (causeway bay).
’ll say that our owners committee is pretty active in these issues (transportation and noise) and does connect with the various government departments and seems unafraid of fighting for the property.
That’s an interesting study but I find it dubious. First they are specifically measuring aircraft noise effect not other types of noise. How did they do that? Did they measure all noise, or did they filter street traffic noise out? Did they only do overnight study? Did they do the study at altitude or ground level? How did they get some of these levels in industrial areas and heavy traffic areas to be so low? I work street side at Caine road and it is loud all day and into the late night. Big busses narrow streets.
The methodology talks about making models from known airplane noise and flight paths not actual measurements. Then later they talk about measurements. They then go on to say that the only area where the noise is not significantly below standards is right at the runway.
Oh and what does over 75 decibels mean to us? This handy page http://www.lhh.org/noise/decibel.htm likens it to a flush toilet.
BTW there is apparently only 1 minibus: to and from Tsuen Wan MTR.
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I think the point is not the absolute noise level but how it compares relative to other districts.
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Noisier than others, specifically about aircraft noise effect. Though if you read the study actually the area around the airport is more noisy (and in the report is the only place that falls outside of acceptable levels). My point is that in many other districts the general (ongoing) ambient noise is at least as noisy (75dbv) if not noisier than Ma Wan. Of this I am sure.
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One more thought on noise. Many of the people who have said it is noisy are actually going to the village for outdoor barbeque. This is a portion of the island on the opposite side of the bridge that is directly below (1000 to 2000 ft below) the landing path of some jets. I have heard from my partner that the village barbecue area can be noisy. But that noise is not an issue in my part of the complex at all.
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From reading the posts, noise pollution is one of the main gripes about living at Park Island? Does the noise affect the units on the higher floors only? Would living on the lower floors be as noisy?
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I would say that the people living here do not have a gripe about noise in general. The ambient noise here is amazingly low. There is very limited traffic (2 Green Buses 24hrs and 2 ferry’s other traffic is restricted to daylight) NO construction noise allowed weekdays after 6, Saturdays after 12, and not on Sundays at all.
Some flats specifically those mentioned above and the village have exposure to aircraft noise which 4% of the time may reach as loud as a flush toilet.
Looking on the parksiland.net web page it seems the most common complaints are about dogs (A lot of dog owners here). or the Transportation Company (PITCL) who has a pretty poor response record for complaints and has tried to mess with the ferry and bus schedules before annoying the residents and being reigned in by the transportation department. There is also an active thread on aircraft noise specifically, I admit it is probably in the top 10 complaints, but then something must be. The owners committee is very active in trying to get more restrictions and altered flight paths, they have had some success already.
Balance that with virtually NO traffic noise or noise from crowds and regardless of the few posts from visitors to contrary you will see that the two residents who posted here find it a very quiet, pleasant, and green community.
I live on a high floor of block 2 with NO complaint about aircraft noise while I can see them clearly. On my side the annoying noise is the occasional fog horn from a container ship (sounds like a scene from Lord of the Rings). But I have never been awaken by either (or any) noise only from noise inside my flat.
Again: I also walk my dog all over the island and have not ever been bothered by the "noise." I certainly feel it is much more peaceful and quiet than all the other places I have lived here (Happy Valley (though it's a close call), Sai Ying Pun, Wanchai, Causeway Bay, Olympic City) I would say the noise comfort is similar to living in Happy Valley Village (excluding race day).
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Hi Shirls,
We bought our 1027 sq ft apt on block 13, for HK$4.1 million in May 2005. We have full frontal unobstructed views of both bridges. I have noticed comparable apartments selling for HK$4.33 in the past few months. So I assume Park Island is a worthy investment option.
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My pregnant wife and I are moving to HK from Aus and Park Island looks like a good place to live. Any info on Rental prices for a 3 bedroom apartment would be appreciated. Also my wife wants to take our dogs to HK so I would be interested in seeing of there was any accomodation with a court yard on the island.
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The sea views are fine, but most of the larger units (>950 sq feet) are overlooked by neighbours.
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You can see floorplans easily on the web or by emailing a few agents - just go to google.com.hk and type in "ma wan park island floor plan" or something along those lines.
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There are places all over HK where the light don't shine into windows because the other building is so close (usually the window is so close) so it is not just a Park Island thing - it is a HK thing. They build the buildings using a crane to pour the concrete and so design the buildings so they only need one crane to build about 6 towers (save costs) - hence they are close together- check out Tsueng Kwan O sometime.
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Phase 5 is immediately west of tower 1, so between tower 1 and tower 25. (At first glance it looks north on the usual plan agents give out, but that is because that map is west, rather than north, oriented.)
If the next question is "where is phase 4?", there isn't one... the number is unlucky for the Cantonese.
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The construction noise is not so bad now.
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Now might actually be a good time to buy Park Island since the developer has just started to resell the first hand flats in Phase 3, and with Phase 5 and 6 coming, the prices are very likely to go up. The developer is selling their flats for around 4,500/sq ft , but if you are looking for a second hand flat with full sea view, the price can be as low as 3,600/sqft which is quite a bargain. The landlords are also more negotiable since the first hand apartments are being sold right now
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A couple of units have apparently just sold below around that level.
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Hi Applefan,
My husband is fanatically private, so when we were home shopping on PI, we made sure we found a place where we can undress without having to worry about our neighbors peeping in. It took us looking at about 20 odd places on park island before we found approximately 4 places that was good. (our priority for purchase was full sea view and privacy) and ended up buying at Tower 13, unit A - 1027 sqft. I would really suggest you take the time to visit various units and walk from room to room to make sure it suits your privacy needs.
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People say phase 5 will go on sale soon.
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BTW the DMC at Park Island requires NO noisy work after 6pm Mon-Fri 12PM Sat and none at all on Sunday, so it is much better than most other places.
Phase 6 is the spit of land in front of block 3, supposed to be 5 low-rise luxury flats.
We have a north face apartment in block 2 and do have to close the shades in the bedroom if we are in there, but not in any other room really.
My first three flats in Hong Kong (all on the island) looked directly into the opposite buildings (one commercial) and did not have the benefit of breathtaking sea and mountain views that I have now.
Also, there are plenty of film and shade options that allow you to see out without allowing others to see in. I used to rent a house on a busy street in Arizona and we had no curtains just one way film.
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Remmy
13 yrs ago
I live on Park Island. Absolutely love it and can highly reccomend it. It peaceful, clean, lovely beaches, and the apartments have ocean views. Best value for money in HK I reckon.
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Remmy
12 yrs ago
Phase 6 has launched. Here is some info on park island phase 6 http://parkislandhongkong.blogspot.com/2012/01/phase-6-park-island-villas-are-launched.html
Not sure what they will rent for but I'm thinking the smaller ones might go for 50k a month if you find the right landlord.
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Remmy. It is the best value for money in HK. I used to own a lovely flat there with a superb view over the channel towards Sham Tseng (Block 2). However, we sold when we could get a reasonable profit which was a lot less than we hoped for. HK people currently find it too inconvenient and they can't take their cars there. It would also mean a long commute for our children to go to school on the island - plus other extra-curricular stuff. This perceived inconvenience knocks at least 25% off the price. Also, the facilities are so good that I got a bit scared in case management standards fell. The current Sun Hung Kai management is excellent but a lot of the people who live there are from Tseun Wan and they just want cheap, cheap, cheap so I was concerned cut backs could eventually damage the whole development. Having said that, the location of the villas are to die for. In any western country they would be right at the top of the market (could you imagine this location in Sydney for example). Great for dog owners though.
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Remmy
12 yrs ago
Thanks Loyd. Interesting comments on the management. I agree, right now its excellent! I do wonder if over time you will get more expats living on Park Island becoming involved with management. I think as more of them move there, this will start to happen, in fact it already seems to be happening. The Tseun Wan people originally bought seem to getting bought out now by expats and couples coming over from HK side who want the the clean air and facilities for their families.
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Remmy
12 yrs ago
PS any idea on what those new houses on Park Island are selling for? Have any actually sold so far?
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I would guess at least 22m
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Remmy
12 yrs ago
Actually there is now an update on this on the Park Island website. They are apparently at 15000 psf. http://parkislandhongkong.blogspot.com/2012/02/photos-of-park-island-phase-6.html
So your guess for a 1200 to 1500 size place is about right.
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They are apparently at 15000 psf. http://parkislandhongkong.blogspot.com/2012/02/photos-of-park-island-phase-6.html
A great place from which to view an incoming Tsunami?
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Remmy
12 yrs ago
Sorry yes I meant 15000. Still pretty cheap for what you get in terms of views and privacy. Park Island actually has dropped around 3-4% from peak if you speak to agents.
LOL Tusnami - dont think they get these in HK :)
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The views and quality relative to price-per-square-foot are the best. However, unless they let in cars, I can't see a dramatic price rise in the near future. It's quite illiquid as most HK people don't want to live there.
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3-4% versus 6% drop for the general market?
Seems like there is some "catching up" to do
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Remmy
12 yrs ago
Off The Peak - Park Island didn't boom as much as other parts as its primarily used by end users, so I would think it also won't fall as much. Prices there will be more stable both on the upside and the downside.
Loyd I agree the price per square makes Park Island property extermely attractive. However, the issue about cars is a sensitive one. For every person who wants cars due to it pushing up prices and values, others specifically moved there for the cleaner air and would prefer no cars, or electric cars only, especially as everything is designed to be walkable, and accessible without cars.
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Remmy. I agree, I don't even drive. I think the place is a real gem that would fly in any other part of the world apart from HK. The only worry I had, when I had a place there, was that the management might deteriorate. Having said that, the current Sun Hung Kai management is brilliant.
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Remmy
12 yrs ago
Loyd - would you consider moving back there?
I wonder if Sun Hung Kai were not ahead of their time and that people will eventually come around to appreciating what Park Island offers? I know a number of people who moved there who initially found the lack of cars strange, but now like it so much they never plan to move!
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Remmy
12 yrs ago
I should say, especially people coming overseas, worried about pollution and if they have kids or dogs which they want to have able to run around freely.
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I don't think so. I have become a convenience junkie. My kids go to local schools and there are loads of extra-curricular activities.
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Therein lies the "ugly" side of Park Island. Why would one believe pollution is not too bad in that place? What would make it more "safe" than other Hong Kong areas? The place itself is nice (especially if you like Noah's Ark, and can stand it daily), but Hong Kong thrives on convenience. It's a fit for some, but not for everybody...
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punter, the reason is that PI has less road-side pollution which is responsible for about 30-50% of total HK pollution depending on what govt statistic you use
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And to you (and others) that's significant and worth the hassle (just like going to Lamma, Peng Chau, other outlying islands - but not exactly the same). To others more, it's not compelling enough a reason.
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Remmy
12 yrs ago
Some people need to come to HK to work. So they are here for the money, but at the same time they want to protect their health, sleep peacefully, or they have a pet, or young children. For people like that the "convenience" of living right in the city, is not worth the cost of high rent, or the terrble living conditions, roadside and street pollution, cars, busses, sidewalks that are difficult to push prams along. So for an expat coming to Hong Kong an apartment in Park Island is very appealling. Travel is 15-20 mins to central by taxi, or by ferry, and busses run to part of HK incl airport very regularly. So its not a "hassle" at all, and indeed many people live in HK without owning a car.
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Oh well, it looks like you've convinced yourself on living there Remmy.
Just get yourself ready not to be able to get home if cars and and ferries can't get into Ma Wan during extreme weather conditions...
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Remmy has a point. PI is basically a more convenient, cheaper and better quality version of DB - but without the wifeswapping element.
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The way I read it, Remmy cares more about a better place for children and pets. DB wins hands down over PI. Whatever the case, each family needs to make their own decision. I personally can live in PI, but I prefer the city.
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Remmy
12 yrs ago
Lol "without the wifeswapping". Does that really happen on DB?
Punter - what do you think is better on DB vs Park Island? PI has a quicker ferry access, more modern facilities, everything is walkable, it has taxi and bus access (I believe DB does not), and Park Island is cheaper!
What do you guys think of the new Anacapri on Park Island http://parkislandhongkong.blogspot.com/2012/02/anacapri-on-park-island-phase-6-park.html
This is the most luxury development yet on Ma Wan.
And does anyone know what will happen to the old village on Ma Wan? Is it going to be a luxury marina, or a resort or what?
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DB has more space, farther away from the city, better air quality.
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Punter. In some respects yes, but if you buy in DB you are basically at the mecry of HKR International. In Park Island, you are dealing with Sun Hung Kai management which is much more professional
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Whether you buy in DB or PI, you inspect all aspects that are important to you and your family. If everything is acceptable, it doesn't matter (a lot) who's managing the place.
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Punter. Yes but if the company is slghtly dodgy and the quality of the flats is not as good, where would you choose?
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There's no need to go into details with that issue Loyd. Of course, one would choose better service. However, in the comparison between DB and PI, I wouldn't think this issue is significant at all. You don't have to deal with it every day of your life.
If you really hate the hustle and bustle of the city, then in my mind, DB leaves PI by a mile.
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Remmy
12 yrs ago
The thing that put me off about DB vs Park Island is the control the DB developer has over services, food, the golf buggies that you use for transport, etc. On Park Island the management can be appointed by the residents, who will not stand for poor service or high prices, whereas on DB you are at the mercy of the developer. Look at the ferry prices from DB to Central they charge you $40. To take ferry for Park Island to Central is $19. As PI has more local residents, one of the benefits is that you get "local" pricing, rather then "expat" pricing.
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its just a different model. The developer ultimately wants their developments to succeed, and therefore has a vested interest in seeing the facility is well run.
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Remmy, that's my original point with Ma Wan, why deal with the hassle? But you said it's no hassle at all. But that's for you and you're happy, ultimately that's what counts. Those that stayed in DB for some time are quite happy where they are too given all the things they have to endure.
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Remmy
12 yrs ago
I think the difference in model is this. Both PI and DB developers want to see their devepts succeed. But on DB, they want to continue to profit (hugely!) from controlling the development, where on Park Island, the management is not controlled by the developer, and is not a profit making enterprise - it exists to serve the residents, not to make money from them.
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remmy, this is a chicken and egg thing. If the DB management is usurious and tries to screw its residents, then people will dislike it, possibly leave, and drive down rents/property values, thereby causing their developments to be less successful. Both models are equally self regulating. The only difference is control; some owners insist they be involved in every decision, good or bad.
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Remmy
12 yrs ago
Liebster I agree with you. Ultimately, in a free market, the conduct of DB management should affect the sales and rental prices there. My guess is that to some extent their usurious conduct is "priced in" but then again I wonder why are property prices on DB so much higher than on Park Island? My explanation is that many expats know if DB and really don't know any better, or are on expat packages, whereas on Park Island its generally people who have done a little more research, been in HK longer, and also because there are more locals there.
Can you explain the price difference between the two? I looked at bothm, found Park Island nicer (for a number of reasons) but yet considerably cheaper. Why the big difference in price?
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Remmy, you apparently like Ma Wan but you're in the minority who do. More people like DB. It's basically law of supply and demand.
You like Ma Wan for example because there's more locals and prices are "local" too. But many expats on the other hand don't like that. And a host of other reasons that we don't know.
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Remmy
12 yrs ago
Punter, I tend to agree with your logic.
But let me ask you this. Is it that more people "like" DB? Or that more are aware of DB, and do not even know Park Island exists?
For example, imagine two Chinese restaurants. One in a tourist area, selling average food, but making lots of money because its better known among tourists. And then a "local" chinese restaurant, where all the locals go, along with a few foreigners in the know, where the food is much better, but its not as "famous" among expats.
The law of supply and demand would work if the customers knew of both options, but if they have not even heard of one of the options they naturally have a limited choice. So you could say, that its not that more people "like" DB over Park Island, but rather that many expats are not even aware of Park Island in the first place. This is what I think explains the price difference and why Park Island is so much cheaper to rent ot buy.
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Remmy. I think you may be right. However, your average DB-ite isn't going to venture outside the plaza and take a look. Also, DB-ites usually usually prey on new expats and suck them into their bizarre world of Stevenage-on-Sea. Once there, it's all over. It's self-fulfilling.
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nicoj
12 yrs ago
PI wins hand down over DB. Remmy you had a point.
PI is: more convenient, you have direct access to Central, Tsuen Wan, Kwai Fong, Tsing Yi, Airport in shuttle bus who do not stop, or in ferries. Taxis are allowed to come nearly 24/7.
The flats are better, newer, have better views and are a LOT cheaper.
Every single resident is allowed access to 3 amazing clubhouses. Tennis courts, basketball courts, climbing wall, squash, snooker, pool, table tennis, badminton, 2 outdoor swimming pools, 2 indoor swimming pools, bowling etc...
In DB what do the residents have??? err....nothing.
PI has a huge Park and Shop...DB has an overpriced one. Buggies on DB is just p*ss take. 500k for a buggie are you kidding me? In PI, once you are on the island, it's a LOT more convenient. You can walk everywhere within minutes. No need of those ridiculous buggies.
Ma Wan has a history as well. One of the oldest fisherman village, some local culture, some of the most ancient temples and cemeteries.
DB is just Disneyland for gwailos. Everything is fake, expensive, inconvenient...and when i say Disneyland, the estate agent actually sell it to you that way. I visited flats there years ago and they told me "the big advantage of this flat is that you can see the Dinseyland fireworks every night" haha GREAT!
I know that people have different taste and some prefer DB....to each his own, but I would say they only like it because they need the community of expats to feel safe.
If you only look at the location, flats, views, convenience, price, clubhouses, facilities then PI wins. How could someone argue with that?
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"DB is just Disneyland for gwailos. Everything is fake, expensive, inconvenient."
I heard it described as "HEAVEN... for dogs and Filipino helpers."
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Yes, each to their own but there is little economic sense in buying in DB. Apart from the much poorer quality of the apartments and inconvenience, the developer charges very high prices for everything. This is why local HK people won't buy there and the property market in DB is stagnant.
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Remmy
12 yrs ago
I think DB is rising with the HK market in general, but Park Island really seems to be outperforming as people buy, probably seeing much more long term value there vs DB.
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Well, if DB prices "stagnate" long enough, they will become a bargain.
I think all that fresh Supply at Chianti may have had something to do with it. There are a limited number of people who want to live in Disneyland, or on the set of The Prisoner - and so if you add loads of new supply, it will take the market time to absorb it.
(I found this listing on S-F-.com):
Selling Price (HK$): HK$ 5.8 million/ HK$ 5,675 per sq.ft.
Asking Rent (HK$): HK$ 25,000 / month (Inclusive)
Property Type: Unit / Flat / Apartment
Size (sq.ft.) : 1022 / 2 BR
Area & District: Lantau Island, Discovery Bay: "Chianti"
====
I remember when Chianti was a fat premium to Tung Chung properties.
Now, Tung Chung seems to have caught up to it
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nicoj
12 yrs ago
PI is undervalued and it is I think a great mid term investment. I reckon within the next 10 years we will see a lot of things happening. A lot of rumors and projects have been circulating.
1) Cars Allowed on the island
2) MTR (the lines is already there. They just need to make it stop on the Tsing Ma bridge, build a platform and some elevators to go from the Platform to the ground.)
3) A Marina / Hotel on the other side of the island.
If that happens, the properties would shoot up 30%-40% in one go. PI would become a place a lot of people would love to live in if that's the case.
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Remmy
12 yrs ago
nicoj, yes I have been thinking the same thing. And I agree, any of these developments would provide a great deal of upside for Park Island property values, for anyone prepared to wait and be patient for them to happen.
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Remmy
12 yrs ago
Just found this doing a google search on whether they will allow cars on Park Island http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/parkisland
Looks like residents are becoming more vocal on the issue.
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nicoj
12 yrs ago
District Councillor Justin Tseng proposed Multi-storey Carpark Building + MTR station to SHKP and government before. Now that SHKP sold every single units on Park Island (Including the latest phase Anacapri) I can see this happening soon. within the next 5 years I would say.
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If she have sold everything they have on park island then surely the only benefit of introducing a Car Park is to benefit from selling / leasing spots. What other incentive is there for she to lobby for such a proposal? It may just be false promises ?
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Remmy
12 yrs ago
SHK still have the other side of the island to develop yet (marina, hotel etc, so I would think they will be still pushing for parking. I think it will come eventually.
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Sorry just assumed there wasn't any more area to develop by shk
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nicoj
12 yrs ago
By the way, the government just granted a beach extension work in Ma Wan. They just approved the project. They will widen the beach by adding a lot of sand. This will be huge! To give you a sense of the size and scale of the improvement, the sandy area of the beach will increase from about 3,400m2 currently to about 15,000m2. So around a 5 times the increase in the current sandy beach area. The beach is already very nice and very popular in the week end...it will become AMAZING now. I am sure this is the first of many improvements the goverment will do in Ma Wan.
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Remmy
12 yrs ago
That beach extention does sound like it will be good. Repulse Bay beach is quite nice and wide so I wonder if Park Island will be as wide as that? Bring on the beach volleyball I say!
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I was living in PI for some time and luckily moved out recently. Not a lot of good things to tell.
The Good:
- Full seaview (at least my flat had one)
- Dogs allowed
- Good clubhouse facilities
The Bad:
- Aircraft noise every minute (-> no pleasure to sit on the balcony, even noticeable with closed windows)
- Lots of cockroaches and midges
- No cars allowed, inconvenient transport
- Cargo ships disturb the seaview
- Small choice of restaurants
- Beach looks only nice from above the water, the water is dirty (also near to cargo ships) and the ground below water is covered with unpleasant rocks
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nicoj
12 yrs ago
Just to reply to you about the Bad:
-aircraft noise? I don't hear any. It clearly depends in what tower you live. If you live on the other side in tower 1,2,4,5 etc...you don't hear them at all. Maybe you hear them more in tower 19,20,21,22 etc... not really sure. Anyways every minute is clearly an exaggeration. I sleep with all windows opened and i only hear the waves from my window.
-I have never seen a single cockroach on PI. Not sure where you've seen them.
-No cars allowed...well it was kind of the main attraction of the island for a lot of people. Your kids can run around or cycle around. No danger. No exhaust fumes either. On the other side, they are planning (in the long term) to bring cars on Ma Wan.
-Cargo ships disturbing the view? I start to think you are very very picky mate. It's like saying I don't like NYC or HK because there are too many buildings.
-small choices of restaurants: well for a typical expat I agree. However there must easily be 30 restaurants on the island. It's all very local i agree...but if you enjoy local food then it's perfectly fine. However I agree with you. It's not like living in Kowloon on in Kennedy Town or Wanchai or Sai Ying Pun etc...where you have this huge variety of restaurants. I kind of miss that too sometimes.
-Beach - yeah it's not that clean. But as mentioned above they will extend it and it will become a massive beach. 5 times the size of what it is now. Therefore the actual beach will be very cool. The water will never be great (but it never really is in HK anyways)
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nicoj
12 yrs ago
I wanted to add something. If you look at the following criterias:
- Building age 10 year or under
- Full Sea View
- Club House facility
- Under 30 min commute of Central
- Price
You will NEVER find something better than Park Island. I looked for over a year, visiting hundreds of flats, going to dozens of estate agents, running searches on the internet....the price per square foot given the criterias listes above is the cheapest in HK.
On top of this you have a beach...and the clubhouse facility has to be the best in the whole HK. I might be wrong, but what other clubhouses can provide: 2 Indoor swimming pools, 2 outdoor swimming pools, Bowling, Badminton, Basketball, Volleyball, Squash Court, 2 Gyms, Climbing wall, Snooker, Pool, Football Table, 3 Tennis courts, Arcade game room, 3 indoor playgrounds for kids, 3 outdoor playgrounds for kids, 3 different barbecues locations, Private Cinema room, 4 saunas, 4 steam rooms, 4 jaccuzis....and i might even forget a few things.
Honestly i have never come across a better one. I'd like to know though.
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It's brilliant. I sold my place there with a heavy heart but it wasn't convenient enough - even though it's much more convenient than Discovery bay. Most HKers think alike which is why it is so cheap. If cars are allowed in Ma Wan, the price could shoot up.
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nicoj
12 yrs ago
Taxis are now available 24/7 on the island including week end.
The government also allowed the to use the same road as the buses...which means they dont need to stop at the roundabout like before.
Surely it's a first step to allowing private cars on the Island.
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Remmy
12 yrs ago
I have to say I really agree with nicoj's comments here re "You will NEVER find something better than Park Island. I looked for over a year, visiting hundreds of flats, going to dozens of estate agents, running searches on the internet....the price per square foot given the criterias listes above is the cheapest in HK."
Interestingly I have heard this very same comment from a number of friends lately, especially people who want to get into the market but find Mid Levels overpriced or who simply are not happy with the value for money they get in more expensive locations and also newcomers to HK.
There is a good article about the Park Island beach extension here:
http://parkislandhongkong.blogspot.com/2012/09/ma-wans-tung-wan-beach-to-be-extended.html
Makes me wonder where are they going to get all the sand to do this? And is the Repulse Bay beach also "manufactured" like this with sand added?
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@nicoj:
- "aircraft noise? I don't hear any" <- I think you must be kidding. Aircraft noise is a serious problem on Ma Wan, that's why Ma Wan residents are so worried about a third airport runway. Ma Wan has the worst aircraft noise levels in HK:
http://www.cad.gov.hk/english/ac_noise.html
Every minute is not an exaggeration, in fact at peak times e.g. on Saturday afternoons there are airplanes every 10-20 seconds!!
- "I have never seen a single cockroach on PI" <- Now that is an exaggeration. Either that or you are walking without ever looking on the floor, especially in the evenings. But I find the midges problem a much more unpleasant one, bites everywhere from just standing around for 5 minutes. However, some pple are generally bitten more often than others.
- One more bad thing: Even though floors are washed everyday, there still is urine stench on warm/hot days as the dogs do their business right on the floor. I'm sure there are pple who would find that displeasing.
But I agree that Ma Wan flats are indeed very affordable and it's not all that bad...
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Remmy
12 yrs ago
Not a plane in sight here. Just a lovely sunset enjoyed by the people of Ma Wan Island
http://parkislandhongkong.blogspot.com/2012/10/todays-post-is-not-about-property.html
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Park Islane is a very good place to live in.
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I also agreed that Park Island flats are affordable given the fact that HKD currency has devalued due to inflation, and the inflows of US and European funds into Hong Kong to buy stocks and properties (see link at http://www.scmp.com/business/economy/article/1065776/hkma-intervenes-curb-hk-dollar-strength-after-capital-inflows ). Such influx of foreign funds have pushed Hong Kong properties upward. In addition, mainland China investors continue to buy brand new properties in Hong Kong for the purpose of investments, leaving the new properties empty until the next boom for sales. Property prices continue to climb up in Hong Kong. What else can I say?
My other half and I went to view a few 2-bed flats at Park Island last Sunday, and met with two property agents who work as a team including Park Island and Ma Wan village. I have known Ms Rebecca Yeung for some months, and can trust her. Please give her a call at her mobile 9056 7139. Cantonese is best for her. Her Chinese colleague, Mr Jay Chow, is more conversant in English. His mobile is 9142 4425. I know him less well.
Please bear in mind that most property agents in the world play games with buyers and sellers in order to close sales. Be careful which estate agents you deal with in Hong Kong, or elsewhere outside Hong Kong.
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Just go to Midland or Ricacorp on Park Island. they are fine. Best to deal with a big agency.
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Just go to Midland or Ricacorp on Park Island. they are fine. Best to deal with a big agency.
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