Its quiet interesting this thread, especially where people who don't have toddler aged children are mentioning how easy it is living in a city that really doesnt offer public parks that you can walk on the grass. Lots of public parks with their NO STANDING on the grass signs etc, ( inc the typical no fun signs, ie mo kite flying, rc cars, roller skates/blades bicycling signs etc etc) , Hong Kong is very family unfriendly in this regard, when it comes to city parks.
It's a fact that I agree with Special K about. In contrast to say Melbourne,
[IMG] They are diametrically opposed in this area of city life.
Those that are willing to sacrifice a bit of their work commute time, for the sake of their childrens out door play time, will choose area's in HK that are best suited, and depending on the housing allowance provided, there are a host of area's that are kid friendly and very close to a western level of enjoyment.
Area's like:
* The Sai Kung district which Clearwater Bay is part of.
* Various area's of the South Side of HK Island Shouson Hill to Shek O. Beach and greenery.
* Discovery Bay Beach and greenery
* Various parts of Tai Po, especially the dual/tri level house, secure villa complexes...
* The Gold Coast, very kid friendly etc ie beaches and lawned parks, we have one right out front of our complex in Siu Lam, one of the reasons we chose to live here, with view to child friendly facilities/features.
* Yuen Long has a massive public botanical garden/park, that is fully covered in public accessible lawn, off Ma Tin road....If you lived in Scenic Villa's opposite for example, how convenient is that...
There are many alternatives though, and it really boils down to configuring a lifestyle that fits best for you. You can do it, but you might have to sacrifice city life to be able to do it conveniently, but you won't achieve both...
Ask anybody who lives in Sai Kung with kids ( I know lots ) and not a single one of them would live couped up in a high rise in the city, when they are used to living in a 2100 - 3000ft2 3 storey home, surrounded by perimeter lawned garden, often a bay view, and quiet a few even have either their own or a communal in ground pool shared between a cluster of 6 houses, like in Yan Ye Road Tai Mong Tsai.....
It is possible, you just have to work around it and move out of the city...