Posted by
XImoto
14 yrs ago
Greetings, I have been lurking for awhile as my company figures out a relocation package, but it is getting closer to being finalized and I should be moving from Atlanta, GA to Hong Kong at the end of May 2011 with my family (wife and a 5 and 6 yr old) following in late June.
Reading through all the posts on here makes me realize that there are good and bad aspects of all the main areas, so I wanted to put my info out and see if there are any specific referrals to my situation.
I will work on HK island, close to the Harbor. I need to get both my kids into school upon arrival (hardest part of the move, I assume), and would like to keep their commute to schools as short as possible. We all love hiking, parks, beach, etc with easy access to the city life (music, arts, museums). I think I am looking around 50-60k p/month and would like a 3 bedroom/ 2 bath.
I am open any any suggestions on places to look at (my intial month there by myself will allow me to really explore) and will be making a list of places to visit.
Thanks
XIMoto
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With those requirements, I would look at South Side (Repulse Bay, Deep Water Bay, Shouson Hill, Stanley, Tai Tam) or Pok Fu Lam & Cyberport. You can find stuff with that budget, especially if you look in buildings without facilities (pool, gym, etc...) Three bedrooms are way easier to find than four bedrooms right now, at least at a decent price point for this market.
I wouldn't worry about the commute. HK Island is surprisingly small. Apart from rush hour, you can get from, say, Repulse Bay to Central in 20-30 minutes (even less if in a car/taxi/scooter early in the morning). Stanley and Tai Tam are 10-20 more minutes.
Schools will be closer than Central but of course the school bus routes aren't that direct. Still not a big issue. The issue, as you say, is getting into a school. If you can get the company to pay for debentures it will help hugely.
I know looking at a map it can seem as if living on South Side is way out in the boonies. I had this exact same feeling before coming here. But compared with your average US city, Hong Kong is geographically very small and compact. Public transport is efficient, cheap, safe and clean. Taxis are cheap. If we want to have dinner in town or go to Hong Kong Park with the kids we hop in a bus or taxi and we're there in no time.
I recommend you try to get your company to pay for 3-6 weeks in a serviced apartment. It is much easier to figure things out once you are actually here and can explore to get a feel for the place.
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Axptguy- thank you for the info. I did forget how close everything is. As for the serviced apartment, the company is providing that for 4 weeks, then I am heading back to the states to help my wife and kids finish packing and fly back to HK with them.
With the two little ones, the ammenities in the apartment will be very helpful, at a minimum a pool.
Thanks again
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Have you looked in to schools, or is the company helping? It's already very late for this coming September- you say you'll get them in to schools on arrival- a 5 year old I know who arrived 8 months ago is still waiting for a place! Can not over stress how you need to get on to this, age 5-6 is the toughest because all the other kids the same age applied last September. Good luck!
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Pool is nice but bear in mind that a pool in the building can easily mean a 10-25k premium per month on a three bedroom. All that money can be spent on public pools, beach excursions and so forth.
Agree with sistim that school situation right now is very rough compared to two years ago.
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Hugie
14 yrs ago
I hate to say this, but I took a trip to discovery bay yesterday and it was very pleasant! School, beach and mountains all there in one neat little package.
I have lived here 16 years and live way up on the boarder with China in a small village. Wouldn't change it for anything. Mind you, I couldn't afford the prices in DB anyway! (what you can afford to pay is almost double my salary!)
But, for you, it might be worth looking into.
I don't like it because it is full of westerners, and not like living in a foreign country, but as a starter is is very pleasant indeed!
Or how about Hon Lok Yuen(Tai Po), Whole house with pool! International school there, and right on the foothills of Bat Sin Leng country park. Sailing school 10 mins drive away. Look around! Enjoy!!
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lalib
14 yrs ago
XImoto,
Coz your American. You may want to consider Hong Kong International School. American system of education from Kindergarten to high school. its well-known here. I used to study there when i was a kid.
Its on the south side of HK Island, Repulse Bay, Tai Tam, Stanley. Its not cheap, both School and area. But maybe your company can assist with the admissions. I think there is such a thing as when a company owns a debenture for children of their employers.
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Like Sistim have said, deal with the school matter first and foremost! I strongly suggest either the Hong Kong Intl School or perhaps the ESF schools. If your children get into HKIS, than look around the areas Axptguy38 mentioned -- Repulse Bay, Stanley, Tai Tam..but do remember that school buses do cover other districts too. Also check Pokfulam -- there is a primary school and secondary school in the vicinity belonging to the ESF -- not a US curriculum but an IB. Pokfulam is like the southside but at a lesser price (although not always) -- clean air, sea view, etc. Bel Air is good as well as some old but refurbished units at Baguio Villa. But deal with the schools first and foremost! One thing, although Hong KOng is close to everything, going to work from the south side to perhaps Central can be irritating at times.
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HKIS has a wicked long waiting list right now unfortunately. Then again it never hurts to try! A corporate debenture is probably the only thing that gives you a short term chance right now.
"One thing, although Hong KOng is close to everything, going to work from the south side to perhaps Central can be irritating at times."
Haha yes! The trick is to leave before 7:45 am and avoid coming back between 6 and 8 pm.
"Also check Pokfulam -- there is a primary school and secondary school in the vicinity belonging to the ESF -- not a US curriculum but an IB."
Kennedy School and West Island School respectively. Then again ESF has schools all over and "your" specific ESF school depends on where you live. On South Side it would normally be Bradbury and West Island.
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I would agree with hugie...disco bay is a great place to.dip your toes into asian living...esp.with kids in tow...if this is your first time living overseas it wont be too much of a stretch for your family...lots of americans there to meet up with as well....
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Steer clear of DB. You'll never have any privacy and theres as much gossiping going on as Eastenders. On a weekend, its like a zoo.
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Hugie
14 yrs ago
@ spannermonkey! Thats so funny! Didn't know about that side of it. As I said before, not my cup of tea.
Mind you, the scmp mag today mentioned Sai Kung. This guy could try there.
I would recommend where I live, but I aint telling anyone where it is!!
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I have lived in The Waterfront at Kowloon Station the last 18 months and found it very convenient to Central (one stop on the MTR) and all parts of Kowloon. THe Waterfront has nice amenities and there is a huge mall with a movie theater and an ice skating rink right underneath us. We have great views from our apt as well. A shame we are moving back to the states at the end of the month. I would love to stay there.
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@ spannermonkey - LOL! True, they tell me...
@ dreamerseven- nice proof reading job!
@axptguy38- South Side high school (ESF) is South Island - not that OP needs to worry just yet.
I hear the area round Kowloon Station is a bit dead because so many flats are owned by mainlanders as investment properties but left empty? Have looked at a few places there (not for myself- way out of my budget!) and you seem to be paying for big lobbies & crystal chandeliers...
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"@axptguy38- South Side high school (ESF) is South Island - not that OP needs to worry just yet."
You are of course correct, and I knew that. I don't know why I wrote West Island. Hmmm brainfart.
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