Posted by
scottsue
18 yrs ago
Could anyone spare a minute to help a troubled newbie trying to work out where to stay in Pokfulam. I have a very limited budget...only a teacher and I have been recommended to think about the above. Do you call these places condos? I am from Singapore!
Many thanks!
Scott
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tala
18 yrs ago
Well, I wouldn't call them condos....just apartments. They are a good size at 1700 sq ft, between $26 and $32K a month. They're not luxury flats; the bathrooms and kitchens are very plain, but the area is quiet, the views are great and the maintenance is good and efficient. Drawbacks? no MTR access, but close to 3 bus routes. Also there are MANY families with young children, which means the pool area is not conducive to peace and relaxation. Probably the cheapest apartments with recreational facilities in Pokfulam. You might try Kennedy Town for something cheaper, but still very close to PFL.
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Thanks Tala. That was very kind of you to reply to me. I am feeling very dejected looking at prices!
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tala
18 yrs ago
Yes, HK is going to be a bit of a shock in that area - but there are lots of cheaper places to live albeit without pool etc. A few teachers I know live at the Gold Coast, which is more commuting time from PFL but more affordable. Discovery Bay ditto. Aberdeen is quite close - 10 mins away - and there are some great apartments there in South Horizons, Sham Wan Towers. Try and get hold of a copy of the South China Morning Post, Tuesday issue to compare prices.
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Why not Chi Fu Fa Yuen, which is right above Pokfulam Gardens....or are the considered to be the same? Also, in terms of transportation, and assuming (a big assumption, sorry if I'm way off base) that you are going to be employed at the Singapore Int'l School in Shum Wan, I would definitely say South Horizons is way closer than DB.
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Oops! Just realised the original post was for Victoria Gardens which is on Victoria Road, instead of Pokfulam Gardens & Chi Fu Fa Yuen which are on Pokfulam Road....obviously two different places, but both in PFL.
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Thanks for the info browneyegirl. I really want to stay in Pokfulam as my sons are going to West Island School. My daughter will be coming to school with me in Kowloon. Would I be able to get anything for an absolute maximum of 25k in Pokfulam? We don't need view or facilities.
Thanks
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what about baguio villa in pfl?
you sound like you are an esf teacher, why don't you tap into the teacher network there as they are familiar with your budget? many esf teachers live in pfl.
there are also some flats along pokfulam road 92-100 (i think?) that are pretty reasonably priced. there is no pool. you would have access to lots of buses and it would be a very short commute (just down the hill) for the your boys.
have you visited the flat rental portion of this site? it should be able to help you out. and victoria garden is a nice place to live. the flats are well laid out, get lots of sunshine, and it has a good community feeling.
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Thanks abitnaive. Your advise is awesome. It is always very difficult sitting in a different country trying to be proactive about the move and really having no idea whatsoever. Here I am trying to be very knowledgeable to my wife and kids and not having a clue! Every one just has had a huge laugh at my expense!
We are working with the ESF and it would be good if the boys can be close to school.
Thanks so much again. You have reinforced that I am on the right track!
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hi again, I'm now renting one of the smaller flats in upper baguio (1,020 sq ft, 2 bdrms). Now, these flats are going for around $20,000, even more for the ones that face the sea. (When we first rented here in 2003, we paid $12,000 including carpark but plus mgmt fee of $1,550. Mgmt is now $1,660 and our rent has gone up to $19,000 - which is actually below what new tenants are being asked to pay. You may get lucky, however, you never know!) The bigger flats in upper baguio (1,590 sq ft) all face the sea and have gone through the roof -- anywhere from $28,000 to over $30,000 or more) (Again, you may get lucky). I know two ESF teachers that live in Upper Baguio, but they've been here awhile and most likely are not paying that kind of rent. Lower Baguio apts are bigger and even more pricey. Pokfulam has gone crazy lately! Since your sons are going to West Island, you may also want to check out the Bisney Road/Crown Terrace/Consort Rise area (near Victoria Gardens). You may be able to find something suitable there for around your budget, although it won't be huge and probably won't have super facilities. Mount Davis Road is another close-to-West-Island-School road, but also can be pricey and the flats that you can afford there may not be big enough?? (here I go assuming too much again, sorry) Maybe Greenery Gardens? I definitely second what 'abitnative' says about the convenience of Pokfulam Road and the bus system, but personally Pokfulam Road is way too busy for me! Having said that, public transportation to Causeway Bay is a MAJOR hassle living in Baguio Villa!
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Cheers browneyegirl! So much money for so little space! Parents and in laws will often come too. Stll I would rather be on the island and have smaller than commute for hours without a car. I will check out all that you have suggested. Thanks. I had no idea that Baguio was that expensive!
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tala
18 yrs ago
Scottsue,
It might be worth mentioning that there are probably more than 200 kids who attend West Island School from Discovery Bay. They tend to come on the same morning ferry, and catch school buses which pick them up from the pier and take them straight to WIS. Same service at 3.30 pm plus late buses for extra-curricular activities. It IS quite a commute but I guess it's a lifestyle choice, and the kids just adapt to catching ferries and buses with their friends. You'd probably find the same deal getting to school in Kowloon. Just FYI!
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browneyedgirl has definitely got a point, greenery garden is the best value for money in pokfulam. since view isn't an issue, consort rise is a great bet as well. tala also has a good point about how common it is to commute.
if i can make a suggestion, might parents/inlaws consider coming during holidays? we find friends are more than willing to "lend" us their flat so parents can stay there & vice versa. this really cuts down on confusion and overcrowding. just something to keep in mind.
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tala
18 yrs ago
Scottsue, is there no ESF accommodation available at Braemar Hill for you?
Also, as abitnaive says...parents/in-laws may have to come when it suits you and not them. We are long-time expats, and in other countries I had visitors coming all the time, sometimes for a month, but since moving to HK I have just said to people, sorry, a couple of days only. AFter all we have to work, my kids have to to study and the space we have is just too small to have visitors for long. It really is a lifestyle change, moving to HK!
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ldavy
18 yrs ago
scottsue, I have sent you a PM.
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Thank you all for taking the trouble to reply. I really appreciate it.
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Thanks Idavy but I don't know know how to access a PM
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scottsue, I've sent you a message through your control panel, which you will see when you log in at the top left. I have lived in pokfulam for 5 years with kids. It's not the cheapest place but it's a great place to live. Not much around in that price bracket right now but still worth looking. Check your message box
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ldavy
18 yrs ago
scottsue, to access a PM just follow the instructions from pokulammum - log in, then click on Control Panel, then click on Inbox.
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