Posted by
islandmum
17 yrs ago
Hi,
we are thinking of accepting an offer to move to HK. Job will be in Fanling but we are looking to find a house, with a garden (have dogs and kids), high standard, good international school, westernised shops, high standard community, near beach, with ammenities ...... anywhere within commuting distance of Fanling of up to an hours commute. Prefer near the sea and a family expat community.
I hope you guys can give me some pointers as to where would be good to look at. We will have 2 cars if thats any help.
thanks
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sounds like Discovery bay is what you are after, - not sure about commute tho, as dont live there really...
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that would be a killer commute every day I'm afraid, plus your cars would not be allowed into DB...Sai Kung/Clearwater Bay area would probably fit most of your requirements, good ESF schools nearby, near beaches (not the best), lots of expats, funky rural vibe, traffic can be a nightmare but you could adjust i guess
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FKKC
17 yrs ago
Hong Lok Yuen is the best place for you but unfortunately it's not near the beach but they have a club-house and a super-market.
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is HLY really an 'expat' area? I was under the impression it is mostly upper middle class local people...OP specified many 'western' or 'expat' requirements...that tells me they're not too interested in mixing with the masses, unfortunately
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190k
17 yrs ago
HLY has a good expat community and club facilities. International school is within teh facility. They will be building a beach in Tai Mei Tuk in the next year or so that is 20 mins from HLY. Commute HLY-FL 5 min by car.
Fairview Park is also coming along expat wise also with club house and recently up graded Park'n shop to cater to the expat tastes. The beaches at Gold Coast or Lung Kwu Tan again about 20 mins drive. Commute FP-FL 10 mins by car. FP-HLY school 20 by school van.
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FKKC
17 yrs ago
Well, HK is supposedly called an International city therefore you are bound to mix with many nationalities and also the locals unless you really keep to yourselves intentionally as it's really one's choice but I don't think that is a right way to live one's life. We should all expand our horizons and you will be surprise how much we can learn from people from all walks of life, especially if you have the chance & privilege to live in another country & see their culture first hand.
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building a beach... hmmm... there is Hong Kong for you...
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If you seriously want a house then you are going to have to go out the way. I moved here from a big property with two kids. We live on Hong Kong Island in a large apartment 'Bel-Air' complex. Club house is free at your door with huge indoor and outdoor pools, indoor and outdoor play areas where kids can kick a ball and ride bikes. The apartments are a good size and have the best sized helper's (or maids) rooms that I saw. My active kids love it and it is full of ex-pats from all different countries as well as some locals.
Seeking out a house is expensive and hard work and may isolate you a bit. As for a beach - if you are from Australia - dont come to Hong Kong looking for a beach. They are very average. You might as well embrace the culture of the country you are moving too and enjoy the wonderful private pools and spas of a lovely club house like Bel-Air. We were beach bums back in Oz - but are embracing a different lifestyle over here for a few years.
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... I also forgot to mention the place is full of dogs. Little ones, big ones etc. THeir is a pet grooming place across the road from the Peak wing and most people have their helpers walk them every morning and night. Personally I couldnt bring my dog, it was too used to space. So that is something you will need to consider - where will your dogs be happiest. Do you have friends that will adopt them back home?
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I agree with emma dilemma in the isolation of a house. We live in Kowloon Tong in a big complex and that is around 20 minutes from Fanling by car or you can do the KCR which is around 15 minutes. Australian International School is just down the road so it's all very convenient and Festival Walk which has Taste Supermarket that caters for westerners.
The beaches are pretty crappy over here in comparison, however there is Clear Water Bay that has a couple of beaches and you could have a fairly large house there. Some have lovely views over the water, although maybe a bit of a hike to Fanling. Sai Kung could be a goer, but equally still a bit of a drive. Don't forget the heat of the summer and humidity, sometimes it's just too damn hot to even think about sitting on a beach, hence the reason alot of people live in the complexes that have all the facilities, like a gym, pool, etc.
If you are getting cars, you can always do your weekend trips to the beach anyway.
As is suggested in many threads, stay in a serviced apartment for a month or so, that way you can visit the places you are interested in at your leisure and not forced to make a hasty decision you may regret. Do the drive to Fanling from various different locations/places you are interested in and see how you feel.
You will know when you have found somewhere you are comfortable.
Good luck
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". You might as well embrace the culture of the country you are moving too and enjoy the wonderful private pools and spas of a lovely club house like Bel-Air."
Agreed. You cannot recreate Australian or US life in HK. You have to go with the flow. Unless you are seriously loaded, the most you will get in the urban areas is a townhouse. IMHO nice facilities are worth more than square footage.
Then again, Sai Kung has housing estates. A bit "out there" but very nice. Nature and all that.
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on another expat site, OP noted they are coming from a small Carib. island, so that may factor into the criteria they have noted; still, HK culture (to me at least) is too interesting to avoid...that and the fact that my wife and inlaws are Chinese lol
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cd
17 yrs ago
Rubbish that you have to be isolated to live in a house, the majority of people that live in the NT live in houses. Hong Lok Yuen used to be a very expat area, now still quite a few expats, but more high income Chinese, definately worth a look. Also look at Sai Kung, can drive to Fanling in around 40mins. Sai Kung is hardley out there, its still only a 40min drive from central, 30 mins from TST. And worth the extra driving for the quality of life.
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