HDZ,
The travelling time from Sai Kung depends on which side of the town you live.
If you live south of the town (ie closer to the old Kai Tak) then you would be best to go via Hirams Highway and the Lung Chung Road to the expressway. This way usually takes in the order of 40 mins with low traffic and up to 50 mins in moderate traffic.
If you live to the north of the town, (ie nearer the Tai Mong Sai roundabout) then it makes sense to use the Ma On Shan/Shatin route to the Tolo highway which links up with the airport expressway thru Tsing Yi. This takes about 35 mins from the roundabout in light traffic and 45 mins max (assuming no accidents!) in heavy traffic.
The second route will also shortly be getting quicker as under construction is a new bridge/expressway linking the Tolo Highway (from Shatin) directly to the airport expressway. I suspect that this will knock approx 5 mins off both times. It may have connections to the Western Expressway too which might also reduce times on the 'southerly' route but I am not sure about this.
I think it would also be fair to point out that living in SK will not be a cheap option with possibly two cars needed (for you and the family) with road tax, insurance and servicing costs being pretty high here.
Clearwater Bay School (as mentioned above) is a primary school and is part of the English Schools Foundation and has a fair reputation. The choice for secondary schools is between KGV and Shatin College. Both have excellent reputations and offer a multicultural environment with very good teaching standards. There are other international school options (a web search will reveal them) but travelling times for the kids from SK are likely to be long for them. There are plenty of pre-schools in the area but the costs are high. Abacus Kindergarten is part of the ESF and is loctaed very close to Clearwater Bay School and 'feeds' it with primary beginners. Once again look into the costs!
As to pollution, yes SK enjoys better air than most other parts of HKG, but it is all relative! Pollution all over the territory is bad! SK offers good facilities for the young family but I'm sure the DBers would also claim that. As in all things it's horses for courses! Why not take the time to come and look for yourselves...certainly the best solution IMHO. A mistake in location is expensive to fix if you're not happy with the compromises (that are inevitably) needed here.
idg.
Last edited by idg; 16th October 2005 at 12:52.