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Living overseas

Whether you're considering emigrating or an expat abroad, you'll find likeminds on this forum.

HONG KONG

11 replies

ddaisy · 09/05/2011 20:56

We are moving to Hong Kong in Autumn 2011. It would be a great help if someone could give me a quick overview of the different areas and suggest a nice place to live with 4 kids. Oldest is 9 years old.

It would also be a big help to hear more about house vs apartment.

Many thanks!

OP posts:
laptopwieldingharpy · 10/05/2011 07:42

house vs apartment on Hong kong island depends very much on your housing allowance and whether you would have a club membership.

Condos are easy as you have all facilities on your doorstep (pool/tennis etc...)

There are some good little houses within compounds (about 3000-4000sqft). These come with or without facilities and at the moment fetch a minimum of $150,000 month.

family apartments are a bit more difficult for a family of 4. the nicer layouts (about 2500sqft up) usually have 3 rather than 4 beds.Count on a minimum of $100,000 mid-levels and south of the island.
Some good options towards Pok Fu Lam/western district too. Usually in the lower price bracket.

Hopefully someone will come with more details on discovery bay and new territories if that is any good for you (think commuting).

Now don't want to create any sort of panic BUT HAVE YOU GOT YOUR SCHOOL ADMISSIONS SORTED?
That should really be your absolute priority.

TheBride · 10/05/2011 14:52

What Laptop said on practical matters

On frivolous matters, watch this video- "HK state of mind" - it's quite funny.

laptopwieldingharpy · 10/05/2011 15:04

LOL!

i like the "my boss is a gweilo, send kids to international school now they can't read chinese"

SAD but mostly true

missslc · 12/05/2011 05:17

Just to reassure you that you don't have to take out a small mortgage each month to pay for housing if you are paying yourself- we rented a lovely cottage out on lantau island for about $US 1200 per month-it was a decade ago but still you can get value if you live on an island and commute in!

It is a great place to live- hope move goes well for you all.

missslc · 12/05/2011 05:19

A good little house at 3000-4000 sq feet?.Well that is the funniest description I have heard! About 4 times bigger than a good little house in any part of the world me thinks!

TheBride · 12/05/2011 11:28

Misssic is right in that if you don't mind living a bit further out, the rents are much lower, but her prices are way out of date - a 4 bed on Lantau these days starts at around HK$30,000 per month (US$4000), and that would probably entail a drive to either the ferry or Tung Chung to join the MTR. Lamma is cheaper but that's a bit of a niche taste- it's lovely but extremely rural/ no cars/ and the only way to get off it is by ferry (unlike Lantau which is on the MTR/has a road bridge)

OP Can you provide some more info

  • What's your housing budget? Are you being given an allowance?
  • How long do you think you'll be staying in HK?
  • Do you prefer city or would you rather be in the country
  • Do you drive?
  • Where are you/your husband going to work?
  • Is it feasible for some of your children to share bedrooms (very common in HK)
  • Do you have a preference for school curriculum?
eastendmummy · 12/05/2011 13:35

I've just moved to HK - 2 months ago so am still very new and have gone through most of the things that you have to look forward to. We've just found an apartment and I have been pretty shocked at prices, size and general finish of places on offer. We've settled on Happy Valley as I like the city feel which I understand doesn't suit everyone, but it has a good balance of shops, cafes and green space. I saw 50 flats though until I found the one I wanted! If I did it again, I would definitely use a relocation agent and do viewings all day every day for a week across the whole island to make sure you find the right area. We've been trying to sort it out for the last 7 weeks which has not been fun! It's been made difficult that we wanted a 3 bed for around $50k HKD which in UK terms is loads, but not here in HK!

You will notice that kitchens are often poorly equipped and the absence of an oven is normal. I've seen so many that have no space for anything including storage of cooking so look out for that. Bathrooms are often rather 70's/80's in decor so you may see some rather delightful avocado or pink bathroom suites! Apartments differ between the lovely colonial type with high ceilings in lower rise buildings to the more modern, often smaller apartment in high rise with facilities including a pool and a gym. It depends on your personal preferences of course, but a pool is great with kids especially when it gets hot.

As PP's have said - prices obviously depend on area and size but if you have 4 children, you will probably be ruled out of some areas from the start just because of the size of apartment you need. We are currently living in Repulse Bay which is very popular with families as you are right on the sea and it is has a very expat feel. Not for everyone, but you may like it. Stanley has a great feel, beach, promenade, nice cafes, markets, and a range of different apartment styles. Pok Fu Lam has big apartments and very popular with families. I don't know HK well enough though to advise on locations.

We still have the joy of finding a school to come, but you do need to get names on lists ASAP as they are ridiculously long, and notoriously difficult to get your kids into. THis however will depend a bit on where you choose to live.

Will you be getting a helper? I was adamant that we wouldn't but have succumbed and am happy that I have. Life in HK is very different to the UK and a helper is great to enable you all to enjoy life here. It will also save you the issues of getting your DC to their various schools and activities and most people find it essential.

Feel free to PM if you want the contact of our agent who was great. Meeting people here is relatively easy so get in touch if you want to meet when you arrive.

missslc · 12/05/2011 23:20

Wow have rents gone up that much-lantau was very rural when we were there and lamma was much quicker into the mainland so more expensive.
30000HK for a 4 bed- that is crazy expensive! I remember the mainland being expensive but the islands were always a bargain. Hopefully a company will be paying your rent!

laptopwieldingharpy · 13/05/2011 01:12

missic 10 years ago was the immediate aftermath of the asian crisis of 1998. So not only have the prices gone back to normal levels from there but if you've been following the news, you would now that we are living through the biggest property bubble in history in Asia (for the last 5-7 years.)

So yes, exactly why I started my post with the matter of the housing allowance.
No matter what level you are on, its always quite a shock considering the very average (if not outright poor) quality in terms of relative space an finishes.

OP , worry not, you will find something suitable. Agree you need a good agent. There are some very professional people out there who will show you the best available. Am also happy for you to PM if you need names.

whatdidIJUSTsay · 14/05/2011 11:21

I am also based in HK, but am out in the new territories (sha tin), but know the surrounding areas quite well. If you are based out in the NT, the best places to look for housing and schools are Sai Kung (very expat, loads of stuff going on) and Clearwater Bay, both of which are next to each other. Hong Lok Yuen is also a very popular place, and again, has lots of expats and a fabulous school. I was not too keen on living out in the NT to begin with, but am now definitly sold on it as it is much more spacious, much greener, loads of stuff to do with kids (we have 3 boys under 4.5 yrs) and still easy to get in to Central (about 45 mins on the mtr from door to door for us). Again, feel free to PM me if you think you will be out here and want some further guidence (or have any other questions for that matter Smile

MuffinTumMum · 15/05/2011 09:54

Hi

I think as has been mentioned before in HK threads (waves to whatdidIJUSTsay!) before, it is all well and good thinking about areas best to live in, but to be perfectly honest the school situation will be the deciding factor here.Questions you need to answer before anyone can give meaningful advise are

  1. are you visiting before you land?
  2. What is your housing budget?
  3. Will the company that is relocating you consider paying a debenture for an international school?

Wherever you end up in HK will be great - everbody loves the area they are in, and it is such a small place that it is easy to get to each area with little hassle.
you have an advantage with your 9 year old as you wont be fighting for reception/P1 and P2 places which are hugely oversubscribed. By getting your oldest child into a school your other children will automatically jump higher up the wait list.

If you are looking for space, and areas that children can play out, ride bikes etc then you need to look at Sai Kung, Hong Lok Yuen, Discovery Bay.
If you want city living then look at Mid Levels, Happy Valley, Pokfulam

dont worry - it will all work out, let us have a few more details and am sure you will get more practical advise from the HK mums on here

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