Hong Kong Mums - Advice on Areas Please

[MDL]

Hi Everyone,

We are moving to HK quite soon and debating between Clearwater Bay area and Discovery Bay and I would be really grateful for some advice on the 2 areas.

DB seems like the easy option as it is small and I assume the 2 clubs are where all the mums and kids meet - is that right? Do families also go to the clubs at the w.e? Do the clubs run the majority of the kiddy classes ( eg ballet,swimming) or are they held in various places? Finally, do you need a golf buggy with small kids?

Does Sai Kung/Clearwater have a similar gym/club scene that is family friendly and not too expensive? Is it an easy places to live with kids and meet other mums?

I am trying to work out where it will be easiest for me and the kids to meet other mums and do classes etc and also somewhere where we can go as a family at the w.e.

The thing that is holding me back from DB is the transport options, particularly when you are coming home late.

Thanks!

Db every time! Hopefully someone from sai Kung will come along to provide some balance
Everything you need for kids is here ( besides school places!). The clubs are great for hanging out. Club houses supply lots of activities. But there is a wealth of other companies here for everything from dance classes, sports, cookery classes, art, you name it.
Schools. Depends on kids ages. DBIS is an awesome school. We are leaving this summer and I am hugely sad about it. However if you need lower primary school places then there is no way of getting in without paying the debenture.
There are other alternatives tho. DMK have just opened a primary school in the north plaza. This was primarily a kindy that has extended its schooling. Very well thought of. There is also a small French primary school if you have any French links!
Alot of the main kindys here have reception and year 1 classes that cater for kids on wait list. Lots of people utilize this facility.
I have loved my time here. It's child heaven. Everything on your doorstep and central only a 25 minute boat ride away.
The transport links are excellent. If you need central then the ferry runs 24 hours a day. If you need Kowloon then direct bus to sunny bay mtr station and then direct line in.
HK is an amazing city. I love it and we plan to come back here after a stint in shanghai. No doubt we will be back to Db aswell.
There is no real need for a golf cart. Majority of people don't have them. Some of the higher end houses come with them as part of the rental package. But the bus and taxi system in Db makes it easy to get around.
Good luck with your decision making!

Thanks for the info - you are swaying me towards DB! I think we might be able to get into Discovery College next year - any views on it?

Ps - do you know of any helpers who are looking for a new job starting late August/September?

Thanks

I know people at dc and they are all happy with it. Only difference is it runs the IB system all the way through rather than british international system.
I don't know of any helpers. But it's something to do once you get here and get the lie of the land. I wouldn't hire somebody without face to face interview. Have a look at www.discoverybayforum.com. There is a section for helpers looking for work. Only go with adverts where an employer has taken the time to reccomend their helper. Always get a verbal reference from last employer and do not hire anybody with a terminated contract unless their previous boss was " going for good" ie leaving the country.

Ahh yes, DB vs CWB/SK.... typed out long reply which got 'timed out' so will try again, apologies for note format....

Agree with everything MuffinTumMum says about DB & HK. DB offers a great family lifestyle, well organised, efficient etc, but it is a purpose built 'town' and some call DB 'Milton Keynes by the sea'. Also, some would say it lacks Hong Kong character, but I can't knock it for a fantastic family lifestyle.

For us, it is SK over DB any day!!! To be honest, there is little to choose between facilities, classes for kids, meeting people, making friends etc. We have great beaches (cleanest water in HK), islands, hiking, swimming pools, water sports, tennis courts, athletics track, yatch clubs, schools, bars/restaurants/cafes, bookshops, food shopping, all the classes here for kids, art, dance, pottery, sport etc.

SK was once a traditional Chinese fishing village and the local heritage and culture remain strong. Life in SK is laid back, without the pace of HK island but with heaps of charm and the best bits of Chinese culture. For me, that's the main point of difference between SK and DB.

I'm going to post this now, but will carry on in another message.

Schools - 2 ESF schools near by, CWB and Renaissance (in Ma on Shan). The same issues apply for getting early primary places but I did hear of one family this morning who got an interview and offer of a place within 24 hours so there seem to be some places available for September. All the usual kindies are here, all offering Reception places for September. How old are your kids?

Also have fantastic local kindy here, our DD has been there for 15 months, now very happily chatting in Cantonese and Mandarin. I was worried about her English reading and writing but no need, she's meeting all the milestones there too. Our local primary offers an English Medium stream too as there has been such a demand amongst the non cantonese families living here.

Travel to Central: links to Hang Hau MTR by very efficient local buses and taxis. SK to Central: journey time between 45-60 mins. Traffic does build up into/out of SK at weekends and we pick our times to leave/come home so not to get caught up in the queues.

CWB: very pretty, but there's no real town/village centre and most families I know rely heavily on their cars to get around. CWB Golf and Country Club boasts worldclass facilities, my SIL & her family are members there and it is lovely.

I think you need to visit both areas - and then you can decide which is right for your family, but both are great! Good luck!

Thank you both for responding. I have twin girls who are 4. We can get them into kindergardens in both places but schools are more of a gamble!

The CWBCountry Club looks gorgeous but v expensive I suspect?!

We did briefly visit both about 6 weeks ago but we didn't get a chance to spend any time in them as we were being driven round by a relocation agent looking at flats. It was tipping it down so we couldn't really wander around and get a feel for the places either. We only stopped to get a coffee in SK but I must say I liked the look of the square.

DB felt a bit new and as many say, like a resort. I live in SW London so used to a very different environment! BUT everyone with a family seems to rave about DB so I assume I didn't see the best of it on our brief visit. It also seems to be very easy to have young children there.

Re kindergardens, have you any views on Woodlands SK and DMK or Sunshine House DB?

Also - how much would a taxi be from SK to Central?

Thanks!

Hi, a taxi from SK to Central is around HK$200 depending on time of day and which tunnel (tolls). We looked at all the kindegardens in Sai Kung before we decided on local school for our daughter. I think they are all pretty good and are all quite similiar in SK, can't comment on DB as we didn't consider DB as a place to live (my husband's sister lives in SK so we wanted to be close to family).

The square is great in SK and very safe. There are also a couple of other play areas in SK for the kids which are as good and popular.

Good luck!