Posted by
FXT
12 yrs ago
Hi everyone,
I apologise if many have raised this question before but I'd greatly appreciate any advice offered.
My family (wife and 6 month old baby) are moving to HK in January. We're coming to HK next week to view some properties. We've sounded out through squarefoot.com.hk and hongkonghomes.com, thus arranged some meeting with Agents to view properties.
I'm looking at Pkfulam, Happy Valley, Mid Levels - Central. My budget is HKD$60k, 2 bedroom + 1 maid room. Prefer family friendly places with a nice view (as opposed to the building opposite).
Are there any buildings that ppl can recommend?
I am willing to stay further out (work in Queens Road Central) providing the quality of the place is good.
Any other advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
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We lived in Discovery Bay, on Lantau island, some really nice properties there with more out door spaces around, and lots of shops and restaurants.
The area is very child friendly, and is an easy commute by regular ferries to Central in HK, lots of people commute every day.
Google Discovery bay hk, to take a good look at the place. It is a private car free zone, so less polluted, but has lots of public transport.
We had a great time there, and made lots of friends.
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tala
12 yrs ago
In Pokfulam, with that budget you could try Scenic Villas, Bel Air, or the University properties such as Pine Court (your agent will know the others) . Lovely views, near the Pokfulam Reservoir for walks. Close to sports facilities and supermarkets lots of young families in the area. Close to kindergartens/primary schools for later on.
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FXT
12 yrs ago
Thanks Susie and Tala.
I'm certainly looking at Bel-air, seems really nice. Although estate agents keep telling me that is is REALLY far from Queens Road Central. Realistically, how long would it take by Taxi or say shuttle bus + MTR?
Thanks again
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Mini bus - 20 (hair raising) mins
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FXT
12 yrs ago
Looked at Scenic Villas and Pine Court but most are 4 bedroom which is a tad larger than I need and certainly become a lot more expensive.
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We have friends in Bel-air,the apartments are nice inside and modern, yes fabulous views, but like most places on hk island, most apartments are in in very high rise blocks, with no outside safe areas for kids,balcony's 23 floors and up are not safe for little kids, and very busy traffic.
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I have just sent a Pm for a link to look live aboard static boats to rent, you get nearly twice as much living space for your money.
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FXT
12 yrs ago
Discovery looks great and the boat rental look amazing but I think it might be step too far for us given that it is our first time living in HK. Perhaps after a year, that may well be the way to go.
Why is it not safe for kids to tay beyond the 23rd floor?
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Chazz
12 yrs ago
Kowloon Station is an excellent location. The MTR from here gets you to central in 12 min.
Look at the : Waterfront, Harbourside, The Arch. All housing above a brilliant shopping precinct with movie theatre, ice skating, children's playground, doctor, dentist.
The airport express train is also on this line.
TST is a very short taxi ride away, restaurants, tourist, ferry. Great spot.
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When we first moved to HK from UK we lived in Pokfulam and stayed there for many years. It's a great place for families. It's a lovely, quiet residential area, but not far into the hustle and bustle for evenings out, and certainly not far into Central for work. Try looking around the Bisney Road area, you'll probably find more smaller 2 bedroomed apartments in the low-rise blocks around that area. Or look around the Mount Davis Road area of Pokfulam ... I suggest somewhere like Greenery Garden, nice apartments and great sea views. In a car it'll take you about 15/20mins into Central from Pokfulam, if you go out at the right time ... if you go out during rush hour it'll take about 25-30mins. My husband did the journey for years. Obviously, on public transport it'll take a longer.
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FXT
12 yrs ago
TST in Kowloon looks reasonable although it's not a great deal cheaper than the HK Island, but I have short-listed one of the flats in 'The Magnificent'.
Belcher's looks a bit dated and honestly, I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to tell firends back in London that I stay at the Belcher's ;)
Are facilities like Gym and Swimming Pool important factors?
Are there private gyms available?
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Hugie
12 yrs ago
60k could buy you a village in the N.T!!
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HAHA I WOULD GO WITH ROBINSON RD NO 80 ROBINSON AS FOR THE CONVIENCE WITH SMALL CHILDREN AND SCHOOLS AND EVERYTHING AND SOHO AT DROP OF THE HAT
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I personally don't think that a gym or swimming pool are important factors. For me, I'd rather have less facilities/older apartment block/better or bigger apartment for my money. There's certainly no shortage of private gyms in HK.
However, others may feel differently. A pool is good when you have children as it's a great place for your wife/child to meet others and make friends, but it's obviously not the only way ...
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We lived in Robinson Road (both No. 80 and 82) for 5.5 years until our oldest turned 2 and it was great until then. After that, we moved to Discovery Bay as wanted more space outside to ride a bike, ride a scooter and convenience of schools, soccer classes, swimming lessons etc all very handy. With a baby so young, you won't need to consider parks and playgrounds etc yet. Moving to DB when our kids were 2 and a baby was the absolute right decision for us. Before that we loved the convenience of Midlevels for being close to Central for work etc. I would rate having a swimming pool high on my list as Summer is hot and very long. Great to cool off if your building has its own pool.
In terms of your wife meeting other parents etc, making new friends, much easier in DB than in Midlevels.
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FXT
12 yrs ago
These are the flats/buildings I've short-listed:
Pok Fu Lam
Bel-air
Belcher's
Mid-levels Central
Robinson Road
The Royal Court
Tsim Sha Tsui
The Masterpiece
The Victoria Towers
Wai Chai
The Oakhill
Mid-levels West
Conduit 18
Happy Valley
Villa Rocha
Kowloon Station
Arch
Sorrento
I'm hoping to see as many as possible in these areas.
Anything missed?
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You should also look at Kennedy Town. Easy commute into Central (tram, bus, minibus, or taxi). New bars and restaurants opening. (If you live in Pok Fu Lam you either have to go to Soho or Kennedy Town to go to a restaurant or bar as there are none in PFL). Apartments with views out over the harbour.
You will easily find stuff within your budget.
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FXT
12 yrs ago
Thanks, will take a look.
Also, I'm planning to just one estate ageant (or negotiatior as they like to be called). Should I use more than one as it seems all properties available are accessible to them?
Thanks again all.
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MJLSU
12 yrs ago
We live on top of Kowloon Station in The Cullinan. Husband works in Central and is at work in 15 min. Also have a small child. Couldn't be happier with the location, the building or the community of expats who also have children here. Very easy living with a great grocery store and very good dining all within a 5 min walk. We lived and worked in Canary Wharf while in London. I would say as equally convenient as living there. Lived both in Discovery Bay and Central/Admiralty before this. Wouldn't even think of moving back to either. Hope this helps!
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FXT
12 yrs ago
The Cullinan looks good but the view of the port doesn't look too greatfor me. Although, I'm looking at two of buildings nearby so not sure if they are any better.
Btw, I live and work in Canary Wharf right now and will be working in Central :)
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Hugie
12 yrs ago
Hon Lok Yuen........big house with pool. International school and kindie right there! Oh, cleaner air and some great hikes just behind......
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Hi, I hope my advice is not too late. I live in Tin Hau and you can definitely find a two to three bedroom apartment within your range or less than that, and then you can save the rest of your money. Where I live ParkNShop and Welcome (2 major grocery stores in HK) are just 4 minutes away from our building. Victoria Park is 6-8 minutes walk. There is lots of lots of lots of schools around, including playgroup/pre nursery e.g. Victoria Kindergarten, Bambini Republic, Montessori etc….Also, within 5 to 10 minutes walk there is Tram, MTR, Bus Stops and Airport Bus that goes directly to the airport for 25 HKD only!
Try to find somebody that can speak Cantonese to help you with your search it will make your life easier.
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I lived on MacDonnell Road for years. It was a great place to live. Very green and not bottle neck congested like Robinson or Caine Road. It was also very near to Central and Admiralty. There are some seriously good jogging routes on Bowen Road which is parallel to and just above MacDonnell Road. Both are one way streets so there is less traffic to-ing and fro-ing. I worked as a Realtor for years both in London and in HK (also flew for an airline hence "flybird"). It's best to use several agencies. Bigger doesn't always equate better. I also lived in Happy Valley which is like a little village but I never took to the place although many others swear by it. If you want more information on how to handle Realtors and not get messed around, p.m. me. Good luck and welcome to Hong Kong.
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FXT
12 yrs ago
I saw the following thus far:
Pok Fu Lam
Bel-air - great place, very family friendly and facilities are the most comprehensive I've come across. My wife just loves the place but my big worry is work in Central might be a little far.
Belcher's - little dated, but saw one great apartment, very modern but poor view and MTR roadworks right at your doorstep
Mid-levels West
Conduit 18 - really nice big apartments but a little awkward location and not big fan of this escalator concept and definitely not pram friendly
Tsim Sha Tsui
The Masterpiece - brilliant apartment, very Manhattan-esque, great view and pretty good facilities. The loctaion is a quite congested and not too dissmilar to Cause Bay and again not really family friendly.
Kowloon Station
Arch - rubbish view of the MTR works, reasonable apartmemt and loctaion was good but just felt surrounded by roadworks and major roads.
Sorrento - same as above really.
The leading contender is Bel-air, although the apartments are not stunning but the views and facilties are great.
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machi
12 yrs ago
FXT, from your comments on the places you saw, I think you DEFINITELY should not miss looking at places in STANLEY. It is on the Southside of HK Island. A definite "Expat friendly" neighbourhood. No MTR but for many that is a plus factor as the MTR during rush hours could be very unpleasant. Lots of bus routes to Central. Lots of greenery and very close to beaches, public libraries, and nice outdoor spaces.
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machi
12 yrs ago
Repulse Bay is also another extremely nice area. You will be able to find something within your budget. Most apartments will have glorious views of the sea and greenery.
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staxi
12 yrs ago
Have you considered Tung Chung, next to airport? It's a total family area with everything you need in front of your door, the MTR takes you to Central in 30min, there are allso plenty of buses, numerous playgrounds, all condos come with great clubhouses incl playrooms, swimming pool etc. Everything here is easy with pram, which you couldnt find anywhere else in HK. For your budget you could get a little house with garden in Le Bleu or La Mer, or a huge combined apartment (two apartments made into one) in one of the highrises with amazing views over the airport and sea. You should have a look. We are 100% happy here with our one year old boy, husband taking the MTR to work, meeting many moms everyday at the playgrounds.
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Have you tried to look at living on a boat? They offer a ton more space and are totally quiet from upstairs neighbours scraping chairs and lifts out of order etc
search for "Houseboats hong kong"
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