Any comments on Residence Bel Air, Pokfulam??

I'm flying out to Hong Kong to join my husband at the weekend and we're looking for places to live. He went to view Bel-Air last Saturday and loved it but says he's a bit worried about transportation to Central which is where he works. If you make this journey daily, what are your thoughts?


He's also worried I might find it a bit isolating. We don't have any children and I've heard that Bel-Air mainly appeals to families. Is this true?


Do you have any other general comments on what it's like to live at Bel Air??

Every one hour there is Bel Air private min bus to Central. Starting from morning 8:00 am till evening 8:00 pm.

I live in Residence Bel Air. There is a public transport terminal at Cyberport(less than a 5 min walk from Bel Air) where you can catch a bus,minibus or taxi to almost anywhere in Hong Kong. It all depends on what you are looking for - there is a mixture of expats and local chinese people but then that it what I wanted from living in Hong Kong ( I did'nt want to be surrounded by expats which can compromise your privacy, from friends advice). To be honest my social life is varied here. I use the gym, coffee shops, cinema and restaurants but go into the city for a night or day out ( which is what I did when I was living in Sydney, New York or London. I have met many nationalities here but as far as expats are concerned mainly consist of Australians and British. People are friendly on a polite smiley level, chats in the gym etc. I have a car and on average it takes me 10 mins to get into the city, 25 mins by bus. I have found it very convenient and pleasant, great sea views, uncrowded, immaculatly clean and secure. I have made my friends mainly through joining the YWCA(like the AWA it also runs many varied courses and non religious!)Hong Kong is really too small a place to be physically isolated but you need to get out there and discover it all yourself!

Thanks for the replies. very useful stuff!


Patrick - how much is a fortune? we're not great party animals, but it would be nice to know we can go out late at least occasionally without breaking the bank. Also, is it actually difficult to find a cab willing to drive to Bel Air at that time of night seeing as it's not central?


My husband is now wondering if it's practical to get a cab to and from work in central everyday rather than be tied to bus timetables (he's doing long hours and works a little while away from where the bus stops). Does anyone else do this? we've been told it will cost about $50. Is that right?


I went out looking at places this morning and I loved Bel Air. Apart from anything else, I can actually breathe there. I've been in HK since saturday evening and I'm struggling with the air. Will I get used to it given time? I didn't notice any improvement at mid-levels but I felt much better at Bel Air. Do people find that the air in that area is generally cleaner or was I just there on a lucky day? Also, does being right next to the sea make it feel more humid during summer than other places. Questions, questions...

Yes, definetly cleaner air than in Central or mid -levels. We do get a nice breeze in summer sometimes and is generally pleasant as we are away from major roads. It costs about $50 -$70 (depending on the traffic) to get to IFC in Central and we have never had a problem getting a taxi to take us to BelAir day or night.