I am moving with my family (2 children, 5 years old and 16 months) from Taiwan to HK soon (mid-November or mid-December) to work for 2 years as a postdoc at the University of HK.
My monthly salary will be 25000HKD.
In Taiwan, I am used to commute 2 hours a day and live in a small township in the countryside.
In HK, due to my tight budget, I assume I will have to live rather far from HKU in outlying islands or New Territories. Ideally, I am looking for a place rather green/quiet and as environmentally healthy as possible for young children. Proximity to an organic farm would be ideal.
I checked on http://www.squarefoot.com.hk/, rents not exceeding 8000/9000HKD for a size of at least 700 sq.ft..
I have short-listed a few locations:
- Lantau: Mui Wo, Tong Fuk village (would like to know more about other possibilities in Southern Lantau, and any update concerning the building of the incinerator in Shek Kwu Chau)
- Clear Water Bay
- Saikung
I have a few questions. I would be grateful if you could answer them:
1) Is there any traditional/old small house (with a backyard vegetable garden) to rent in the countryside?
2) Should I ship my car to HK if I live in Saikung?
3) Would you have recommendations concerning other locations?
4) I will visit HK for a week next week (from October 30th). I am looking for economic and green homestay in Lantau, Clear Water Bay and Saikung. Any suggestions?
5) Any recommendations regarding vegetarian restaurants in these places?
Thanks for your help.
Bruno
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Thanks Malka for your suggestions. I will visit Peng Chau and Lamma.
Thanks Cara. Yes, I have never been to HK. I plan to go for a first visit next week. Of course, I would prefer to let my car in Taiwan and use public transportation instead. I am just asking because I may prefer less convenient locations where transport facilities could be limited.
Best,
Bruno
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Hi Cara,
I got it for the car.
Yes, for the children, it will be local kindergarten. The older is a native mandarin speaker and will have to learn some Cantonese.
I know for the budget but it is just for two years and we have a relative simple way of living. My wife could eventually stay in Taiwan as we have a house there and family. We are curious about living in another place close to Taiwan where we are based.
Best,
Bruno
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Ed
13 yrs ago
Agree with Cara... might make sense to take a serviced apartment for a month or so.... http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/property/serviced.asp
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Hi there,
I think living in Sai Kung would be pretty feesable for you, the commute is really not that bad, I would say it is easier than living on one of the outlying islands such as lamma or peng chau.
I live in Sai Kung myself and it takes me an hour to get to most places HK side if I get the bus and then the train, and even less time if you get the rollercoaster mini bus !
Sai Kung has a great local community, and while you may not be able to have a vegetable patch in your own garden, it is very easy to get hold of a small 'allotment' and grow your own produce there - my sister does this and her kids love helping her in the garden.
I hope you have a good visit here, Hong Kong is a great place to live short term.
All the best
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Cara thanks for the detailed information. I appreciate your help and the details concerning Clear Bay Water will save me some time during my next week visit. I did check more on Lamma island.
Concerning the kindergarten fees, in my place in Taiwan, it is $1320HKD a month (full-day, 5 days a week), and my daughter can enjoy for this price weekly visits to an organic farm, activities in an Astronomy Education Center and more... What is the curriculum and what are the activities for charging $600HKD a day?
Hollyb55, thanks a lot for your message. I am happy to hear about the possibility to grow one's own vegetables. Where are you in Sai Kung? The time to commute is different between you and Cara.
Thanks to all of you.
Bruno
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Cara,
I agree. You're right.
Best,
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I thought HKU provides housing. Were you able to negotiate on that item? 25k seems very low for the position, housing should be included in the package to make it better.
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Punter,
I am a new PhD graduate, that's my first postdoc. Initially, I was told about a lower figure for the salary.
There is housing opportunities from the rank of Assistant Professor (or equivalent).
Malka,
I will do it. Thanks for the idea.
Best,
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I live just 2 minutes passed Sai Kung town (by car)
Or around 10-15 minutes walking. Of course it depends where you live but the majority of places near Sai Kung town are all within walking distance to public transport.
One problem I do find living here is that the traffic on weekends gets very bad..especially around 5-6pm as everyone is leaving the sai kung beaches/country parks and trying to go home.
Hope this helps :)
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CW@HK
13 yrs ago
I live on Lamma and it takes 5 minutes to walk to the ferry and 25 minutes into central so not sure why hollyb thinks the commute from sai kung would be easier when it takes a minimum of an hour on a very good day. I also used to live in Sai Kung btw so I am able to compare.
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Thanks to all for your suggestions and sharing your experience.
I will be in HK by late afternoon. Plan to focus on Lamma island and Lantau Island. Will try to go to Tai Po/Lam Kam.
Best,
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brynn
12 yrs ago
Hi Bruno. I'm in the same boat--moving to HK the beginning of June. And I'd love to hear what your family decided and how it's working out for you and your family. Did you find a kindergarten for your daughter that you like? We're looking for a local kindergarten for our daughter who just turned 5. Thanks!
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Hi Brynn,
I found a place in Mui-Wo on Lantau Island. Everything is rather OK. Place is great for children. Lots of greenness and there is a nice beach. I had no problem to find a kindergarten. My daughter goes to the local one (to learn some Cantonnese) which is 2-minutes walk from our place. There are other private kindergartens.
Best
bruno
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