I would think DB to Kowloon Tong must be one of the more difficult journeys to make in HK. Park Island is also cheap as local people see it as inconvenient and no cars are allowed. You can get a bus to Kwai Fong MTR from there - and then to Kowloon Tong
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The air quality there is no worse than any where else in HK. Definitely better than Tung Chung and not so enclosed as DB. No cars in Park Island and the main roads are a long way away.
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"air quality there is no worse than any where else in HK. Definitely better than Tung Chung"
An old urban myth about TC, reported by someone who never lived there. TC has different pollution than many other parts of HK, but the statistics now do not show it is any worse.
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They are old, inconvenient transport wise, no balcony, always some flats being renovated - so noisy. Thats all. DB is a family place. One bedroom flats are never going to be your best buy there.
Smaller flats have seen some big price rises recently - due tougher lending rules - so the small flat market in DB is quite hot now. If you think these are cheap now - look at what they cost two years ago. ..... they have increased a lot.
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How much are the Greens going for these days? They are okay and have (at least had) quite good views. An old flame of mine used to live there so maybe I'm biased.
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Remmy
12 yrs ago
Shreq - Park Island is a much better buy in my opinion that DB. As for pollution from traffic "from the bridge" this is really far fetched. Compare a bridge, in the distance, with a strong, continuous sea breeze, cs say HK island, with congested traffic 24/7, and the wall effect of pollution being trapped among many dense tall buildings - there really is no comparison.
Softy you are correct prices will rise next few years as rates stay low. You are wrong that prices will fall after 2 years when rates start to rise, firstly because rates will stay low for the next 5 years at least (look at the US treasury yield curve) and secondly because if/when rates finally do rise, it will be very slowly, and in the context of a stronger global economy, and further even if/when that happens the Govt has plenty of "cushion" to ease off on the loan minium deposit ratio. So in summary, good reasons exist for a likely continued long term relatively strong property price growth for a sustained period (which by the way is exactly what the HK Govt wants).
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Remmy
12 yrs ago
I should add here, yes for a single guy, into clubbing, dining etc Central is great. But I am definately seeing more young singles coming out to Park Island too. I think they see the prices for a really small studio place in an old Chinese building in Soho and then they contrast that to a much larger (possibly even 2 brm), ocean views, for the same or a lower price. They see the gym facilities, tennis courts, pools, check out the expat scene around the beach restaurants etc and figure this is not a bad balance at all. Central is 15 mins away by taxi, 20 by ferry, and yet they get to relax in the day time on a nice island. I have also seen numerous singles who move, make friends with others on the island, and end up partying up with that crowd on the island - there's no shortage of BBQs, meet-up, people watching F1, football at someones place, rooftop parties, pool parties, movie nights etc. It really depends on the person of course.
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Remmy
12 yrs ago
Only for residents, but of course of you know a resident they can invite you as a guest! Some more details on the facilities and pools on Park Island http://parkislandhongkong.blogspot.com/2011/05/pool-facilities-on-park-island.html
I think there are 5 pools on the island, all actually really nice. 3 are outdoor, and 2 indoor full size with swimming lanes, but I prefer the outdoor ones and the sun and deckchairs etc. Gyms are great there too, but again residents only.
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Yes, Park Island residents only. They check your card at the entry to the clubhouse and pool. You can't blag your way in. As a former owner, the quality there was so good it worried me in case the management deteriorated or the owners' committee pushed for too big a cut in management charges. There's no way you can get such good quality for the price anywhere else in HK. In some respects, it's quite amazing - just like an upmarket resort. I really was a reluctant seller but needs be as needs must.
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Shreq. You are only allowed access to Park Island facilities if you own a flat in the Park Island development. The island is called Ma Wan, Park island is the name of the develoment with towers. I am almost certain villagers don't get access as you need a Park Island resident's card which comes when you own or rent a flat there. Nothing to do with the village outside the development.
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Remmy
12 yrs ago
Shreq - Yes Mui Wo is going up for sure. Two reasons. First, expats are moving there, and seem to like it, and second everywhere in HK is going up, so people are being "pushed out" of usual expat locations to places like this. Also, more people in HK can work remotely, which benefits places like that.
Shreq - regarding the new village houses on Park Island, they are actually quite nice. They do have some facilities like an outdoor basketball/soccer court, a public soccer field, kids climbing areas, but they are not allowed into the Park Island Estate itself, and the body corp fees for park island are paid by the Park Island residents. Historically those village house were used by locals who were given these when the land was sold to Sun Hung Kai, but now, over time these houses are being privately bought. I know some expats who are buying these - they are actually not as cheap as you might expect. There are probably one or two expats who live in the village and sneak in to use the facilities using a residents card, but not that many.
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Remmy
12 yrs ago
Here is an impressive graph just showing the growth in the places like Western NT:
http://proptx.midland.com.hk/utx/index.jsp?bldg_id=B000047243&lang=en
I am sure its still just the beginning for places like this and more will come next 3-5 years.
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Remmy
12 yrs ago
Graph is on the bottom left of the page of the link I posted above- click it to expand to full size.
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