Where do you guys like living in HK?

[KVOK]

Hello there,

Let's see if someone is as kind as to shed some light as far as areas for living are concerned. I would really appreciate, so thanks in advance.
I am considering an offer to work at VHHH. I'd be bringing the kids with me and they're still in primary. Ideally, I'm thinking of a family friendly area near schools (possibly international) and with a reasonably good link to commute to the airport and a better chance to find a 4bd apartment not crazy expensive; it'd be a plus to have parks nearby. I know TC is a common choice but I believe there is no international primary school there. DB maybe? Wondering if it's better to commute from Kowloon or HK island or rather stay in Lantau. I've been also advised that south Lantau is not such a good choice because it can be a nightmare to commute when typhoon season arrives.
Anybody help? Thanks a lot.

[KAPAC]

What’s your budget ?

[arse]

Try this website to get an idea of rental prices.

https://www.squarefoot.com.hk/rent/

If you have not already been to visit HK as part of your application process, then you really should do so before accepting an offer.

You know, how there are certain times in your life when you remember exactly where you were when something major happened? Like 9/11. Like the Tsunami. Like Hiroshima (OK, ... I'm not that old). Well, ... the first time you see a HK 1000 sqft 4 bedroom flat is like that.

Be aware that ...... "a 4bd apartment not crazy expensive" and your other requirements are mutually exclusive. Do your research. Good luck.

[dabz]

I like living in a shoebox with other people. I've been here so long I've forgotten what it's like to have space, who would ever want to have lots of space...

[SW1]

Originally Posted by KVOK

Hello there,

Let's see if someone is as kind as to shed some light as far as areas for living are concerned. I would really appreciate, so thanks in advance.
I am considering an offer to work at VHHH. I'd be bringing the kids with me and they're still in primary. Ideally, I'm thinking of a family friendly area near schools (possibly international) and with a reasonably good link to commute to the airport and a better chance to find a 4bd apartment not crazy expensive; it'd be a plus to have parks nearby. I know TC is a common choice but I believe there is no international primary school there. DB maybe? Wondering if it's better to commute from Kowloon or HK island or rather stay in Lantau. I've been also advised that south Lantau is not such a good choice because it can be a nightmare to commute when typhoon season arrives.
Anybody help? Thanks a lot.

DMK ( discovery mind) has an international primary school in Tung Chung

[Oasis]

Lots of expats seem to gravitate towards discovery bay, Sai Kung and clear water bay. Have a look at those and see what you think.
discovey bay is definitely closer than the other two to the airport.
Welcome to Hong Kong!

[Daddy Fantastic]

Discovery Bay

[AQIS Boigu]

Is the Q where we would like to live or what we can afford?

[swh]

In behind the outlets in Tubg Chung you can find many different brands of shoe boxes, pick out a couple of ones you like from the brands that appeal to you.

That should set you up for accommodation for you and your family.

if a shoe box does not appeal to you, HKG won’t either.

Suggest you take out extra loss of licence and income protection insurance as you are bound to have a myocardial infarction when you get a non refundable HK$4 million debenture bill for each child to get them into a school.

[krismiler]

Phuket, if you can get a compact roster. Moor your yacht at the Royal Phuket Marina and stay on that or buy a property in the development. Isn’t that what most CX Pilots do ?

[humbleppl]

not a commercial pilot but traveling twice a week. Lived in DB for 2 decades and loved the proximity to the airport and of course the outdoor space, sports clubs... Moved to Central 2 years ago and notice I can get back and forth between home and airport faster than from DB (as I am near the train station for the airport express which runs every 10 mins vs. every 30 mins; he DB bus). HKG is really busy and all is shoe box size, you better check out the areas yourself WITH your family. Shoe box size it certainly is; but I assure you there are also nice shoe boxes here. If you can get a place anywhere (more or less) close to the train station, it doesn't have to be DB (although DB for a family is very appealing and compared to other places ion mid levels, Soho... you get a slightly bigger place for your money),

[azhkman]

Originally Posted by dabz

I like living in a shoebox with other people. I've been here so long I've forgotten what it's like to have space, who would ever want to have lots of space...

Especially when those other people are your family :-)

I've lived in the mid-levels, Discovery Bay, Wan Chai, Kennedy Town, and now Tung Chung. I honestly like Tung Chung the best, but they all offer something good, but the others mostly bad. To give you an idea, I pay $28k in TC, in a newer building but only three bedrooms, it's about 1160 sq ft. I like TC because there are so many parks and playgrounds for the kids, and they attend a preschool there. The amenities in the buildings are way better than what we had in New York and Sydney and anywhere else in HK. In Kennedy Town, it was great for restaurants, but only 1 park, narrow sidewalks, and we were paying $33k for a 715 sq ft, 3 bedroom. Think about that. I could not walk around the bed. The kids rooms were 7' x 7'! In Wan Chai, pre-kids, I paid $24k for an awesome place on Kennedy Street, with two terraces, and three bedrooms, but it was on the second floor so no one wanted to rent it which is why we got it for so cheap. It was a great neighborhood for being close to bars, and restaurants, but not many parks. Discovery Bay was nice, and we owned our place, but we left because it is a bit confining plus it is was hard to get to & from (this has improved a little with the taxi stand in the north plaza), and looking at the flyers, it is not much cheaper than other prime areas. The mid-levels has no parks except for one on Seymour Road, but you can find an ok deal here and there if you are willing to put the time in.

You could do Tung Chung and have your kids commute on the buses to the schools depending on their age.

Think about it from the angle of not what you can get, but what you can put up with--then you can come out pleasantly surprised.

[pill]

Australia...

Haven’t noticed typhoons effecting transport to and from South Lantau to much. Public holidays/sunny weekends arvos buses are full and taxis near impossible for a few hours till all the people having a day at the beach have left. Tai O and Pui O public primary schools are well spoken of, however places are limited.
Had my family in Hk on a cx captains package, didn’t last 5 years. Think long and hard, it’s an acquired taste.

[RAT Management]

B scale captains on full expat housing are leaving to take SO packages in home countries. This tells you pretty much what living in Hong Kong is like with a family. The worst thing for you is these guys were at the top of the pay scale where they can afford to shell out more to be comfortable. You, I am afraid, will not have that luxury. Unless you have been used to something similar I suspect you will regret the move in a matter of months. Good luck.

[spleener]

Originally Posted by KVOK

Hello there,

Let's see if someone is as kind as to shed some light as far as areas for living are concerned. I would really appreciate, so thanks in advance.
I am considering an offer to work at VHHH. I'd be bringing the kids with me and they're still in primary. Ideally, I'm thinking of a family friendly area near schools (possibly international) and with a reasonably good link to commute to the airport and a better chance to find a 4bd apartment not crazy expensive; it'd be a plus to have parks nearby. I know TC is a common choice but I believe there is no international primary school there. DB maybe? Wondering if it's better to commute from Kowloon or HK island or rather stay in Lantau. I've been also advised that south Lantau is not such a good choice because it can be a nightmare to commute when typhoon season arrives.
Anybody help? Thanks a lot.

Think your advice so far is okay, except:
-avoid
-avoid
-avoid , and
-South Lantau is not so much different.

[hyg]

There are fair bit of choices out in New Territories if you don't mind joining the local middle class....

[KVOK]

Originally Posted by KAPAC

What’s your budget ?

Tops 50K I've seen that the further you the cheaper it gets but I don't want to commute too long. I was also wondering how common is to have a car, since I've read it's almost a luxury item... Thanks for all the comments even those with sarcasm and irony. I get the point. I'll do my numbers, but practical info and some tips from you guys with experience is what I really need at this point. Thanks.

[mngmt mole]

Originally Posted by hyg

There are fair bit of choices out in New Territories if you don't mind joining the local middle class....

eek:...and most of us know all too well what that really means

[benttrees]

.......but don’t care to expand.....

[crwkunt roll]

although DB for a family is very appealing and compared to other places ion mid levels, Soho... you get a slightly bigger place for your money)

Twice the size for the same money, to be exact.