DB or park island?

We are relocating to HK from the UK with a 7m old baby in December.


We were going to live in Park island, but since our visit to DB this Monday, we have been really torn on where to live!


My feeling is that DB is a better place to live with a small baby, but its transport options are rather limited and ferry fare is not cheap! (I will work in Central)


Also due to the limited number of supermarkets /restaurants available in DB, is it an expensive place to live?


What are the CONS of living in DB and Park Island?


Would appreciate anyone living or lived there share with me your experience.


Thanks

As a Db resident, I would not say it is an expanesive place to live, you need a good housing agent, and you can negotiate rents. you can get more 'low rise' places in DB

There are 2 supermarkets, geared to Western expat tastes, and many other shops, there is now a new north Plaza, which still has spaces to rent for shops/restaurants. We already have, I think 22 restaurants, so spoilt for choice already.

There is a Hotel in North Plaza, yet to open, taxi's will be allowed through the tunnel to the hotel within the year.

Db has a good bus service going to all areas in DB every few minutes,and a regular half hourly airport bus service, it also has a ferry service which runs 24hrs/day to Central.

As it is low rise, with no private cars allowed, db is safer for young children.

There are plenty of young mums around, with babies toddlers, and a good choice of kindergartens for them to go to as they grow up.

DB is pricier than other similar places, and certainly pricier than Park Island, mostly because the whole places is almost entirely geared towards catering to 'wealthy' expats. Transport, supermarkets and restaurants are more expensive than the surrounding areas, housing is also way overvalued relative to the location.

But yes, it is full of expats, and people find it easier to meet other people with common interests and kids have a great time. But then, I find it a very closed in community with not much interest for life outside of DB.


Park islands has no cars either. Everything on the complex is within walking distance. Transport is cheaper and faster (busses to Tsing Yi and Tsuen wan for all your 'city' needs). There isn't more choice than DB as far as restaurants and supermarkets go, but they are cheaper.

Rents are also more accessible.

It is a more modern place, meaning that you get access to 3 good clubhouses with great facilities.

The population there is more 'mixed' and less like the giant social club that DB is.


As far as the baby is concerned, there's nothing to worry about in either places. DB has a clinic, and while I think Park Island has a few doctors, you have also convenient access to the clinic in Tsing Yi. (As well as everyhting else in Tsing Yi's mall)


If you plan on staying long enough in HK to have to put the little one through school, then DB has more expat oriented small kinders and playgroups, but the ESF kindergarden is actually in Tsing Yi, which is right next to Park Island.


Myself, I'd choose Park Island in a heartbeat, but then I must say I don't care for DB at all, so take it as a very biased opinion...


DB is a love it or hate it place. Friends of mine would never consider living anywhere else in HK, while I can't stand the sight of it...


Park Island is much more of a compromise between the DB and HK lifestyles...

Totally agree with Uncle Frank!

I'm also no fan of DB and I own a place in Park Island so I am biaised but you may wish to consider the following: The ferry to Central from Park island is a lot cheaper and quicker and you can also access the MTR at Tsing Yi via shuttle bus. Rents are also about 25% lower than other developments in HK as cars are not allowed and locals see this as inconvenient (don't know how they compare to DB). As for the baby, he/she will probably be able to pick up some Cantonese in Park Island as it is less expat oriented. Also, DB is run by HKR Resorts and the ferries and the facilities are over-priced (they whacked up the ferry fares after the financial crisis - I suspect they lost money and needed to claw it back some how). The Park Island ferry, though, is cheap and quicker and you only need to make a small payment to use the excellent facilities. I think you need to pay a debenture or something for the DB clubs - but I'm not sure so please check. Park Island is built and run by Sun Hung Kai Properties - the biggest developer in HK. It is very well managed and the quality of the buildings is much higher than at DB.

I sent you a private message Sweetbuttons view from your control panel log in.

Thanks all for your comments and views. We revistied PI and DB, and at the moment we are in favor of DB. PI in our oppinion, is a little too small, and has relatively high density and noise level. We went back to both places on a Sunday, PI was rather crowded...lots of tourists - maybe for the Noah's Ark...?


Please does anyone know if the DB Kindergartens or International schools are any good? Do they also have long waiting lists? Would DB residents be given piority on school places at DB?


Many thanks!

kindergartens are great but not cheap (waiting lists come when you want to go to primary school).


I'd 100% recomend DB over park island. DB is a bit of a bland place but PI is just a large housing estate with no soul.

"Would DB residents be given piority on school places at DB? "


the answer is no


PI does get busy at the harbour front during sundays. not that i would go there anyway though

"DB is a bit of a bland place but PI is just a large housing estate with no soul."

Hmm, have heard that said a lot about DB....