sorrento/the arch vs. One Silver Sea/Olympic

We are newish to Hong Kong and still trying to decide on an are to live in. Has anyone heard of the apartments above the Kowloon station called Sorrento,The Arch or Waterfront or One Silver Sea at Olympic? How are these areas for kids and shopping etc. I know they both have large shopping centres but I am looking for lots of areas for kids to get out and run and play.

Any opinion would be helpful.


Thanks,Kim

Hi, I can't vouch for Sorrento or The Arch, but we have friends in Waterfront and they have a great kids play area (indoor soft play is quite big), across the way above Elements is a huge public playground as well. The shopping centre (Elements) is the usual ones for HK, upmarket and mostly designer label, they have a good supermarket 360, but it is a bit pricey, however they stock certain foods (aussie) that we don't have at Taste. It also has ice skating.


We looked at One Sliver Sea as a potential to live, but found the apartments a little to poky for our budget, but if that's not an issue then it's a lovely place with great views. Other downside for us was it was too far from the MTR. There wasn't any places that your child could ride bikes as it's all pretty much enclosed, it seemed a bit more upmarket and more comsopolitan. We ended up settling in Kowloon Tong as it was close to school and and great park (with swings!) nearby for ours to burn off energy. The complex also houses an indoor play area (not very big, but if they are young enough very happy) and a huge indoor/outdoor pool. Above the clubhouse is grassed area that they can play on (not a football or anything as it would fly off into the pool!). We are quite happy here and have started building up a nice network/support with other families (not many expats, but the few that are here are lovely).

My advice to you is NONE Of the ones you listed. I have relatives and friends living in all of the ones you listed. The Arch is nice, but super expensive, great for a couple, and investing.... convenient esp after Elements opened, and great clubhouse...however, the price for that kind of "space" efficiency is NOT what I call good for the value.


One Silversea- Stay away from this place. The air quality of this area is horrible, it always smells like sewage. Everytime I am there, I wish I wasn't. The pool is beautiful, AND they are building a huge complex with an old age home by Sung Hung Kai.... next to it.... they are already starting.... the children's facilities are minimal, and it's so far away from MTR it's not convenient unless you have car or plan to taxi everyday. The MTR is Olympic... everytime you need to go somewhere by MTR... you would have to go to Lai King, OR Central.... it's so dumb.


Sorrento- SUPER small apartments..... between Sorrento, the Arch is better, since they are just next to each other.


With children, I would recommend either Kowloon Tong for convenience, not the greatest air quality.... and really suitable for kids... I moved to Sai Kung, so that tells you where I think is good, and PofuLam... but no MTR.

"I know they both have large shopping centres but I am looking for lots of areas for kids to get out and run and play."


This is not the easiest in HK. ;) I would also agree with Katetam that air quality in the areas you describe is dodgy.


If you are looking for a large complex with play areas, then Bel-Air would seem better. Big park (for HK) by the water. Stanley has the beach and playgrounds. Also Repulse Bay has a nice beach area. All these are further away from city centre of course.


I'm not a big fan of indoor play areas. They are nice in a pinch but I firmly believe kids should play outside every day unless it's pouring.