We're looking at a move to Hong Kong (my wife, me and two kids). We currenlty live in ahouse withg a backyard and are wondering if we need to get a house or is a large apartment with facilities in the building OK?
Also, do you need a car in Hong Kong (to get the kdis to school and me to work in central)
thanks
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As cara indicates, a house in HK is only possible if you are very rich or if you live quite far from "downtown". In the latter case, you will probably need a car.
As cara says, no one can tell you what the right decision is. I would defer the decision until you get here. We love our apartment. Of course we would like a bigger place but since we live on South Side that's not really an option. We sacrifice size for location, if you will. Most people make that choice, but there are some lovely places with houses in New Territories.
HK is certainly the place to live "close" to others. Even most houses are close to other houses. It's a lifestyle we like, and very nice for the kids. We certainly would not trade our apartment in HK for our house in the US. There are more important things than space. Heck, we don't even really have facilities in our new place and we're all good. I am sure cara would agree that she would not like her house as much if it were not located where it is, in the country park.
We have a car, but it is only used on weekends. Defer the car buying decision even longer. We didn't even have one for over a year. If you live on the Island or in Kowloon there are school buses.
I also recommend that you get a proper orientation when you get here. If your company does not provide one, you should pay for one. It is invaluable in order to get a feel for neighborhoods and hit the ground running.
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vak
16 yrs ago
As car said its dependent on your budget but here are a few pointers. you can get a 450sq ft free standing 3 storey village house in clearwater bay distt for less than 30k. or you can get a 2 floor 1400 sq ft duplex with roof or garden for less than 35k. but you need to get the right agent on the job. In such a case the kids will most likely go to Clearwater bay school (assuming they are below 12 yrs old) for which taxis are pretty cheap. As for your hubby he can commute by MTR from Hang hau (its less than 8kms from most villages in CWB distt) . it is 5 stops to central and usually 20 mins journey time. car can be deffered till you are here but does make yr life a lot easier. a cheap and cheerful car is about 20k and most village houses come with parking. Most people do not realise that there is ONLY one trafffic light from Clearwater bay to Central by car anyway. its a lot easier commuting by car from CWB to central than from the south of the island. Its a lifestyle choice. we have been in this area for 14 yrs and NEVER regretted it. Its the perfect place to raise a family. PS. We visit doctors maybe once a yr as compared to our friends on the island whose kids usually have respiratory illnesses and have monthly visits to doctors.
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Thanks to you all for the replies - and for responding to what is a fairly impossible question!
The idea of getting there and then getting a professional orientation sounds sensible. I have seen some short term apartments and (again assume) that it's best to live in one of those for a month or few to get a feel for the place.
In terms of schooling - are we best to get that sorted before arrival or wait? My kids are 8 and 10 so we'd like to avoid too much school-hopping.
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"its a lot easier commuting by car from CWB to central than from the south of the island."
Quite. Which is why we all take the bus or taxi. ;) I never liked car commuting anyway. No way to read a book! There are quite a few who take scooters. HK traffic is nowhere near as scary as some people make out.
BTW don't knock apartment living. Lots of people wouldn't want to do anything else in HK. Personally, I really like apartment living. I was never a "house and yard" kind of guy anyway. Too much friggin work and too far away from "stuff" ;) We have three playgrounds (including the complex's), a pool, the beach and a massive country park with hiking trails within 10 minutes walk. Plenty of space for the kids to "go wild" in other words. And it's all just 10 minutes by taxi or 15 by bus from "downtown".
"In terms of schooling - are we best to get that sorted before arrival or wait? My kids are 8 and 10 so we'd like to avoid too much school-hopping."
The earlier the better. The waiting lists are long. However wait until you know where you will live. Sure, if you're only going to look on the Island, start off now. But if you don't know whether you will look on the Island or not, hold off. No point applying for a school at the other end of HK.
"I have seen some short term apartments and (again assume) that it's best to live in one of those for a month or few to get a feel for the place."
Yes. If nothing else it will take at least 3-4 weeks from contract signing to when you can move in.
"The idea of getting there and then getting a professional orientation sounds sensible."
Would be happy to help you out on that one. However I only really know the Island. PM if interested.
"We visit doctors maybe once a yr as compared to our friends on the island whose kids usually have respiratory illnesses and have monthly visits to doctors."
Oh please...
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Takapunakiwi , As far as ur doubt abt 'need of the car' is concerned...straightforward ans is NO. Hongkong is one of the Best connected cities in world. Public transport system is awsome!!! City is wonderfully connected well with Metros, public buses,Ferries,TAXIs,Mono rails.
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vzbtech, if the OP is looking at a house in NT, he will most definitely need a car. It is easy to say "don't need a car", but that's only if you live in one of the more urbanized areas (most of us do). Also, if you have kids a car may make life simpler if you are on, say, South Side.
Having said all that, I would defer the decision, then go to Vin's Motors and pick out something cheap and reliable if needed.
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Exactly as axptguy and cara say, and I do wish that people - with no idea of life or work anywhere beyond the boundaries of a relatively small centre of Hong Kong Island - would not announce to newcomers that they will definitely not need a car. It's simply not true!
My husband works on a remote industrial estate. There is no bus/MTR route there - yet. If he were to go out of his way (by bus, then MTR) to avail himself of the company shuttle bus option his journey would take him about 1 hour. If he were to use a taxi he would have to wait for one then spend about $100+ each way. So it has always made perfect sense for him to buy a car and spend just 15 minutes driving in comfort to his office. Whereas I work in Central, so I have bus and MTR options and I rarely need to use the car. But I do require it occasionally, e.g. jaunts to local garden centers etc., and having it is great for going out exploring unfamiliar parts of Hong Kong at weekends together.
And by the way, Takapunakiwi, yes there are some great places here in the Clear Water Bay area. We are just off the main road; if traffic/lights are on our side we can be parked on the island (World Trade Center) in just 20 minutes from our house (which is a very large 4-bedroom semi with private swimming pool and plenty of parking) and by Island standards we're not paying outrageous rent to live here. As mentioned in a post above, good property agents (and luck) can be of enormous help in finding the right place for your individual circumstances.
Hope your move here goes well and welcome!
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Demby
16 yrs ago
Dip, you don't have kids do ya mate ?
If you owned a Toyota Prius Hybrid and negotiated a company paid Wilson car parking card ;), your life will be much more immediate, much more convenient and if you have 2 kids and a wife, your running costs will drop, point to point.
Prius costs $66.00hkd to travel 100km in (peak hour traffic) for a family of 4. The bus into town costs $72.00 1 way. $144.00 return. I can drive into the city 2.5 return trips, for the price of a one way bus journey. Taxi costs are considerably more, and pollute much more than the Hybrid in peak stop start traffic situations, as hybrids don't idle with the petrol engine running,if they have been regularly used ;).
Buy the right car and explore this great city, you'll see a lot more while owning a sensible car, than 95% of expats experience, who are confined just to MTR routes. Not to mention having 50% more free time.
We have lived in the NT for majority of our time here, most normal families out here, with kids, have a car. Stress free home life and a happy wife & kids.... An eco friendly car is a tiny price to pay, for that active outdoor freedom, that our generous expat salaries permit.
Why suffer and make life difficult ?
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I'll rephrase: In certain areas your "need" for a car is greater. I define "need" in this case as "perception that it supports a certain lifestyle".
In other areas, like for example Midlevels, the "need" for a car can be negative, in that it is just a cash drain and no help. In other areas, like Sai Kung Country Park, the "need" is pretty great since public transport is scant.
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vak
16 yrs ago
cara you are right about sq footage but I was not recommending a 3 storeyed full 2100 house. I was implying a 2 floor village house that will either come with a terrace if you got the 1st and 2nd fl or wt a garden if its a g/f and 1/f. a few of those still around. a 2 storeyed 1400sq ft home is below 35k but a full house with 2100 sq ft will be bet 45 to 60k.
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axptguy38, I stay in NT ( Tung CHung ) and travel to my office in Central daily. never had any trouble..transportation is smooth. nevel felt like having a Car even though my company offer me allowance!
"dipper' is correct in saying..CAR is not needed...offcurse if you prefer for Luxary and concerned abt the confort of ur kids..then its diffrent case.
My most of the collegues have opted to use the public transport nwdays due to crisis ....after experiencing the ease and comfort at not much cost..many are are considering to sell off their CARs and go for more saving!
Cheers
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vzbtech, of course you are correct. What is needed is a clarification that NT comprises both very urbanized areas and "village" areas. The "need" (again note the quotes) for a car varies widely depending on location.
On average, the "need" for a car is far less than in the US.
So again, wait until you get here. ;)
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Quality of life. Be it in a hamlet or a metropolis.
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re a car in HK-It depends on what you are used to -I pined for one for 2 years when i first got here -hated the public transport-was thrilled to get the car and wondered why i waited so long.It helps if you can park for free at home (Sth Lantau) and work (SSPo) I do not earn big bucks and I choose to live in 2 floors a cheap flat in a small village .Near beach ,less pollution ,green ,roomy ,quiet ...but not flash...
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