Tour Guide Wanted

[jammer722]

I am passing through Hong Kong at the end of November, and hope to spend a couple of days to look around with the intent of assessing the success of a family move. I have never been to Hong Kong before, and feel a little lost as to where to best get a feel of life for my family there. Some guidance from someone with a family would be of immense help. I have been watching the forum with interest, and they have been great for info, but I want to make the most of the opportunity to visit and get a feel for the place.

[shortly]

It depends a lot on where your accommodation is situated. A couple of days is not long enough to really see Hong Kong. A lot of my friends make that mistake - think Hong Kong is just a couple of square kilometres of concrete. If you are comfortable doing so, let me know the suburb you are staying in and I will better be able to help.

[jammer722]

I haven't a clue about suburbs. Are some better suited to partiers/night owls and others to family life with parks, playgrounds, pools etc, or is it all a cosmopolitan mix? Hard to picture the place without having been there.

[gofer]

There are people that specialise in such things, our company use one. Mail me for details.

It really does depend on your priorities.... Where the job is, how easy should it be to get there ? Kids... Schools ? Housing desires, house, flat,... with or without access to outside .... Party all night easily 2-3 times a week (check that your package could cover that ... prices of some things are not like in Canada !) ? Sunshine beach & pool requirements, soprts facilities needed, club in package y/n. Do you want, need to have a car ??? Is a view important to you, and should it be a calm or a busy one ?

Any housing allowances ?? Service apartment or do you find your own maid ?

Am in town between now and 14th and again from 21st...;)

[jetboy]

Everything they've said is true. Moving to Hong Kong requires substantial compromise. You'll never find everything you want in one locale or even in one housing estate. If you are moving a family, then their requirements must come first, or you won't be living here for long. That may mean a bit of a commute for yourself, but that's life in the big city (or should I say in the suburbs of the big city!) The 3 places you'll want to invest the most time researching are Sai Kung in the New Territories (lovely little town by the sea with mountains, country parks, good mix of local and expats, fairly good transport and above all fresh air, Discovery Bay ( quaint little island development where cars are banned and golf carts rule. There is now a tunnel through to the Tung Chung 'subway' line and the airport, but kids will still have to take a ferry into Hong Kong for school each day. Mainly expats and perhaps a bit too familiar as it is a small community. Thirdly, the south side of Hong Kong, Stanley and Repulse Bay. (A bit more upmarket, but prices have been sliding. Again, great seaviews and maybe a bit isolated. Fairly close to a couple of good international schools including the Canuck one, but you may find that a little above your price range. Have a look around and keep an open mind, but let the family make the call.

[gofer]

Hey kool he knows the place, don't forget the mid levels and also the Peak, especially if you want the american/pseudo-international school or the German/Swiss school, and of course there is Kowloon, in the pulsing heart of the city or even down the coast towards the old Kai Tak airport...

Forget Sai Kung unless you are willing to a have a car (expect leasing costs of 1100US$ per month minimum) and ride an hour to anywhere. Yes its lovely countryside but schools - ugh!

There is also the Saddle between the north and south of the island - 4 months of the year in the clouds, but a lot cooler and less sticky than down on the beaches and water levels. On the south coast of the island there is Tai Tam near the american club.. nice and calm if you don't need easy access to schools and can take the sea-sick making busses to the rest of the world.

It depends what your family needs and you want and the package can afford....................:cool: :D :cool:

Mail me when you have some dates....

[jammer722]

Thanks, Gofer and Jetboy, for your replies. Turns out the info will not be needed. Letter from CX bearing news that my app. was turned down. Seems there is no shortage of applicants. With 8000 hrs, ATP, turbine, etc, I was a tad surprised to not get at least to the first interview. Oh well, a good plan is a flexable plan.

I am still passing through Hong Kong at the end of the month and have, for now anyway, three nights stopover on my way to Oz. Perhaps I'll check out some bars instead of suburbs - sounds like much more fun.

Whoever is driving CX288 from Frankfurt on the 28th, I'll be in the back and love a chance to chat...

[ronnie123]

722 ! Did you apply for FO or SO position, quite shocking after 8000hrs CX is still not content.

all the best for the future.

[jammer722]

S.O., but don't let that put anyone off. I think the problem may be that a fair chunk of my time is heli,. I'd heard that CX recognizes rotary time, but I guess not in the same light as stiff-wing time. I thought with PIC two-crew time, IFR etc, might get me over the fence, but not to be.

Cheers