Posted by
Sharksfan
15 yrs ago
Moving to HK this summer with family of 5, including 13, 11 girls and 6 yr old boy going to HKIS. Wife into Tennis. Looking for complex with good facilities, good size units, bus route to both HKIS campuses, social scene for families, and activities. Any of these buildings better than others? Other suggestions? thanks
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The following is strictly my opinion:
- Parkview. I dislike it. Isolated with not so great communications. Ho-hum apartments wih low ceilings. Odd vibe with the buildings set in a wall against the outside. Then again excellent grocery store and right by some great hikes. Important to note that it is shrouded in mist a lot, thence the nickname "Gwailos in the mist".
- The Manhattan. Nice views. Excellent facilities with lots of outdoor stuff like tennis and pools. By all accounts a good building. Close to Stanley with a shuttle. Across from the American Club if that's something for you. A bit far from "downtown" especially since the Repulse Bay-Stanley stretch of road is often congested.
- 109. My fave of the three. Excellent location with lots of communications. Excellent grocery store. Excellent facilities. Disadvantages are price and not stellar square foot efficiency. The Pacific Coffee in the Arcade downstairs is just a nice place to hang out, something you don't really get with the other two. Apart from the grocery store, you get 2 doctor clinics, 2 dentist clinics, physical therapy clinic, etc. And the beach is right below.
- 101 Repulse Bay Road. Definitely look at this one. It is part of the same complex as 109 so you get all the same facilities (just takes 2-3 minutes extra to walk over) but prices tend to be a bit lower.
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Thank you. What do you mean by communications? You mention Parkview is not so great, while TRB has lots. Does this refer to Internet & television or something else. My office will be in quarry bay when not travelling, so it seems I could go over the hill, or the back way on occasion.
Thanks again for the great info.
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Sorry I was unclear. By communications I mean public transport options.
The fact that your office will be in Quarry Bay won't really make a big difference compared to Central for these three except that the Manhattan MAY have an edge since you can go round the back way (Tai Tam, Chai Wan). But that road is quite narrow.
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In defence of Parkview, yes, some of the older apartments are ho-hum, but the newer towers, particularly 16, 17, 18 are nicely renovated, very spacious and actually have high ceilings (I would say about 2.5 to 3m high in the living areas). I agree it's shrouded in cloud quite often from Jan to April (this year has been particularly bad), but it's such a pleasant living environment, and a tad cooler in the summer months, and a bit less polluted than the lower areas, that it's a question of compromise. The facilities really are excellent (2 outdoor pools, one indoor heated pool, 4 tennis courts, great gym) - and somehow never overly busy. We've been here 4 years and while we will look 'outside' for our next apartment (we need a 4-bed now), in terms of location, facilities and accommodation, we're not expecting to find anything better than Parkview. I think we'll end up staying in our current apartment or moving to another tower here.
As for transport, yes, it helps to have a car, but the Parkview shuttle bus is great (every 10-15 mins to Central - though not to Quarry Bay) and taxis are usually plentiful (though maybe a bit of a wait at peak times, like anywhere). You can walk 5 minutes down a long steep hill to get a bus, but no, it's not on a public transport (normal bus or minibus) route.
I can't comment on your other choices, but I just wanted to give some more positives on Parkview. Some people hate it, some love it - I'm definitely in the latter camp.
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May I jump in here? How do the above compare to Pacific View? Thanks!
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All of these are better than Pacific View in my opinion. Manahattan has huge pool & great facilities, though Repulse Bay is better transport wise. Parkview has NO public transport & the shuttle bus tot town is a ridiculous $17 (or more now??) - so for a family to go to & from town you're better off taking a taxi. Basically I'd agree with axptguy - though if the facilities are more important, the Manhattan is better - and you can go over the back way to Quarry Bay, yes. Hmm, tough choice. Let us know what you decide!
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Thank you all for the good information and perspectives. We are on a waiting list for Manhattan and Repulse Bay. Both appear to have strong positives, so it may just be which one we clear first. Just looking forward to getting settled into a place we can call home.
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Waiting list? Are they both full???
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&&&
15 yrs ago
Does anybody mind the High Power Tower that is outside some of the blocks ? In America, that would be way to close for comfort. I was only visiting a friend's apt and was quite surprised to see the Tower so close to the bed. I did not say anthing to my host; but she has since moved from Parkview.
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re: High Power Tower I agree with &&&. The power lines are way too close for comfort.
I say REPULSE BAY too! Good luck.
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let me add my $0.02 - i live in parkview and love it (mist aside) as i have 3 small kids and the preschool/park & shop as well as the cab line / shuttle bus are great. repulse bay was my second choice; as you have slightly older kids - repulse bay is a better choice i think as 13 & 11 yo can go throughthe arcade/beach by themselves etc; i like pacific view / manhattan but too far for me
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and my 2 cents! we lived in Parkview and hated it (sorry, i know it is a bit strong) - it was isolated, not much around at all apart from a few hikes. We have now been in Manhattan for 3.5 yrs and love it. It is by far the best value building out of all listed. Not sure if you have kids, but kids facilities are the best of the lot - amazing playground and two (well 3 actually) playrooms for those rainy days.. Shuttle (or walk if not lazy!) into Stanley - and you have that lovely village feeling that you dont really get at Repulse (where we did look at flats as well when we were moving).
And yes, Manhattan almost always has a waiting list as it is very popular for a reason!
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We have lived (in the same rented apartment) at Parkview for 14 years. Before we moved here we also looked at 109 and 101 Repulse Bay and I have known people at all 3 complexes over the years.
The two things I feel Parkview has over the RB and the Manhattan (apart from notoriety as the murder capital of expat HK life...) is the size of the balconies - we have held sit-down dinner parties for 12 on ours - and the fact you can't see another building when looking out from our apartment. We love having our own private outdoor space and the sense of open space you get from the green view over Violet Hill. What other place offers this sense of privacy 15 minutes from "downtown"(Central)?
Also, regarding your tennis-playing wife, all 3 complexes have teams in the ladies tennis league. I have heard the RB girls complain that they had to practise on public courts because it is hard to book regular court time at RB (only 2, from memory). Lots of courts at Manhattan but surface can get very hot and there is little breeze despite being so close to the sea.
Being in the middle of the country park is fantastic (my kids call it the best backyard in the world) - there are waterholes (with waterfalls!) you can play in and, again, be away from the madding crowd within minutes of leaving home.
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To be fair, 109 isn't that far from the country park either. However I will concede that you will have to go uphill to get there. :)
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It looks like we will be moving into the Manhattan in August after clearing the waiting list. We would have taken either RB or Manhattan. Hopefully it will everything we are looking for. For now, we are in a service apartment at the Lily, and while it looks nice and fancy, it is not very functional, nor good for kids. It seems you can scratch the floor by just looking at it. one tiny drawer in the bathroom, few hangars, no towel racks in the bathroom, and I could go on. Thank you for all the advice.
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Good info on The Lily. It just opened, but it does seem to have that "looks nice but little substance" vibe about it.
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Hi,
My family have been living in the Manhattan for less than a year after moving out of Parkview. We all love the place very much.
But we just decided to leave HK and have to break the lease. We have a nice 3 bedroom apmt in the high floor zone. New air-conditioners and cabinets installed and everything are in great condition. No agent fee and we are willing to offer incentive for anyone who can move in quickly. Please let me know if you are seriously interested. Sharksfan - are you able to clear Manhattan's waitlist?
In addition, full set of almost new and high quality furniture and electric appliances for the 3 bedroom apartment are available. A great family car Toyota Previa(7-seater) with little mileage is also on sale . Everything available now, and can be viewed between July 24th (Saturday) thorough July 27th (Tuesday).
Please pm me or email me at bluesky6789@gmail.com if you are interested. Thanks.
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