Hi all
I have managed to secure a place for my little one at the ESF kindi in Wu Kai Shai (near Shatin I believe) the other ESF kindins which would have been more convenient are fully booked. My office is based in Quarry Bay please can someone advise where is the best middle ground area for us both to live in that would be a good compromise for us both to commute to and from? I have no idea as I am new to HK and will be moving over 1st Oct.I would really appreciate your feedback.
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Hi Cara
Hope you are well!
I really dont want to drive as I am not that good and ger stressed! therefore please can you suggest if the commute could be done by MTR or bus reasonably well to Quarry Bay etc
Truehkwoman- i think Tai Tam and Stanley would be over my budget of $30,000 HKD a month,
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truehkwoman- just to be clear are you suggesting Kowloon Tong is a good middle ground for my daughter to get to Wu Kai Shai and for me to go to Quarry Bay? Are there decent supermarket and amenities in Kowloon Tong also? Are there any other areas that I could explore, I do not mind a 40 minute commute to work if needed to ensure that it works out fine for my daughter...Thanks to your help
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The kindi in Wu kai shai?
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how long do you think that jouney will be for me?!
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Cara, if Sai kung is doable without a car then I would most certainly be up for that...I also have a 1 year old daughter to factor into all this. along with the 3.5 year old.. :-) Pls let me know of any particular areas in Sai kung that I can let the relocation people start exploring for me..Thanks a million Cara, really appreciate the help and guidance x
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great, one more thing my little one is only attending the Wu ka shai ESF kindi until a place becomes available at the Abacus one, and then really we're only talking about her being there until she reaches primary age which I am assuming is at age 6?? she is 3,5 years now, so does it still make sense to focus on Sai Kung, or Clearwater bay given that the primary for ESF is there, or do I just move at a later stage when she is ready for primary???
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A couple of things you should be aware of:
ESF primary school starts from 5 yrs old (Year 1). According to the ESF website, you will need to apply NOW if your daughter was born in 2007 and is to start next year. The application period is 1 - 30 September. Places for Year 1 at all ESF
primary schools are very tight. Check out http://www.esf.edu.hk/admission
A place in an ESF kindergarten does NOT guarantee a place in an ESF primary school (but certainly will not be a disadvantage).
You can get more information on Abacus and Wu Kai Sha from the esf.edu.hk website - their individual pages have contact details of the bus companies they use so you can check what areas they cover and narrow down your house search a bit.
Good luck!
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with all due respect richchinese,
Wu Kai Sha to Quarry Bay is nearly an hour on the train, plus the pleasure of transfer at Tai Wai, TST East and Admiralty (sarcasm)...I think cara (who is a looong term resident here btw) is suggesting that that murderous route could easily be avoided by living in Sai Kung and driving/riding to Hang Hau for a 13 minute, no transfer ride to Quarry Bay!
As for humidity and bugs, I would think many expats don't have the fear of insects that alot of local people do, and would gladly trade life in a human warehouse (which Lake Silver is a prime example of) for the peace, space and outdoor living that Sai Kung can offer (and the humidity is everywhere lol)...
IMHO, Sai Kung/Sai Sha is easily the best option, now and for the future when the kids go to Abacus and possibly CWB School...
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rc, if you knew anything about expat life in hk, you'd know that securing a place at an esf kindy is a prize not easily give up to look for another spot on w whim...as cara says, you really should stop spouting off about something you clearly know little about.
OP, for the sake of your family and your sanity, please do the OPPOSITE of whatever rc suggests...better yet, follow cara's excellent advice
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tks funbobby- I am relucatant to give up on the ESF space offered to my little one in their Wu Ka shai kindi esp when there is a chance of then being transferred to the Abacus one as I have told them that it would be too far for the little one to get to Wu Ka shai if I have not as yet decided where to live. I hear lots of good things about Sai kung and I am definately going to explore when I arrive on the 30th Sept. The only thing that I do not want to get is a car, as I do not want the hassle of driving and maintaining it etc. If I can live there and use public transport and be comfortable with two young small children of 3.5 years and a 1 year old then that would be amazing!
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Sai Kung is the middle ground. There are both school buses and normal buses that go to Wu Kai Sha. Even the normal bus takes less than 30 mins. For Quarry Bay you can take the 101M bus to Hung Hau and then train direct to Quarry Bay. Depending on traffic that journey can be 30-45 mins. Sai Kung is a great place for kids, they are able to run around a lot more than elsewhere in HK and there are playgrounds, playcentres, beaches and greenery all around you. Not to mention it's easy to buy a lot of western products in supermarkets and have a great choice of restaurants and bars.
A car can make life easier for some, but those who live closer to Sai Kung centre don't really need a car at all.
Living in Ma On Shan or Shatin would be a horrible MTR journey to work and back.
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Just in case you missed this with distraction of other postings (and Cara will probably be able to confirm what I'm saying)
A couple of things you should be aware of:
ESF primary school starts from 5 yrs old (Year 1). According to the ESF website, you will need to apply NOW if your daughter was born in 2007 and is to start next year. The application period is 1 - 30 September. Places for Year 1 at all ESF
primary schools are very tight. Check out http://www.esf.edu.hk/admission
A place in an ESF kindergarten does NOT guarantee a place in an ESF primary school (but certainly will not be a disadvantage).
You can get more information on Abacus and Wu Kai Sha from the esf.edu.hk website - their individual pages have contact details of the bus companies they use so you can check what areas they cover and narrow down your house search a bit.
Good luck!
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Yardie- tks for your comments, my little one is born in 2008 so we have until next Sept to apply for her primary thank god...
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