Need Info on Kowloon Tong

[wanchaibelle]

by the way, don't worry about being hassled in the streets re. LURV. Even in Wanchai late at night, no one really hassles you. I've never heard of a case of a family being together and that happening. It's not like Bangkok here...there they do approach and hassle but here, no. Re. Disco. Bay, it's not my cup of tea due to the ferry travel and getting buses at other end (and even tho' it's clean and pretty, I find it a bit sterile). I used to live there (10 years ago) and found it a hassle....A friend of mine lives in DB and works in Kowloon Tong at City Uni. and she says it's a nightmare....Has to allow almost an hour and a half each way....3 hours travelling per day!

[graeme]

Discovery Bay gets a lot of stick from people who don't know much about it. It's 10 years since I lived there, but went back last weekend and it hasn't changed much. I think the atmosphere is unbeatable for families - laid back, relaxed, no traffic (you probably know they have this bizarre system where there are only golf buggies and the occasional bus), 100% safe, really nice environment with the hills rising just at the back. Also the beach is nice, and is just a couple of hundred yards from most housing. If you can swing one of the family houses there it's so much better than apartment living - you might get a garden! (that's something you can't get 99.99% of places in HK!). There's a supermarket as good as any in HK, plus every other everyday shop you need in the Plaza. The residents' club has great sports facilities, gym, nice pool, all very family-orientated and very sociable. Your wife will have lots of other mums and kids to socialise with.

Yep, transport's an issue - the ferry is the ONLY way in and out, but it's a fast air-con ferry every 20 mins 24/7. Using the ferry is not cheap, but that's the only drawback I can think of for a family moving to DB. Believe me after a few weeks you'll really appreciate the relaxed Mediterranean feel of DB - HK is such a hectic, crowded place it's fantastic to live in a chilled-out place away from traffic, noise, crowds. Go for it!!
PS No, I'm not sponsored by the DB company, honest!

[kostas]

Yep, transport's an issue - the ferry is the ONLY way in and out, but it's a fast air-con ferry every 20 mins 24/7.

If I am not mistaken, you can take the Tung Chung MTR and from there take a bus to DB.

[flyroy]

Thanks for the input on Sai Kung, wanchiabelle. I have a list of places that I want to check out and Sai Kung is one of them. Thanks for the invite to meet someone new. Will have to get in touch when we get settled (septemberish).

graeme...I noticed that this thread has been viewed about 400 times (as of.....NOW) and I just want to be sure that nobody who is considering DB is mis-informed. No place on earth is 100% safe. You could get hit by one of the golf carts or worse step in a dog pie on the side of the road (seemed like a lot of dogs there when I visited). The supermarket is not as good as any in HK. It is a Park-n-shop. I'll say no more. The ferry is not the only way in or out of DB. There is also a bus to the MTR. The ferry does not run every 20 minutes 24/7. Sometime after 10 at night (not sure when) it goes to a every 30 minute schedule. So if you're in HK livin' it up, and stay out a little too late, you might find yourself in that dreadful situation of just missing your boat to home.

Despite all of this DB is still on my short list of places to live, but more research is needed before I am willing to commit to these and other issues that DB presents, which is why I'm still on the hunt for info on Kowloon Tong for comparison. Thanks to all!

[graeme]

Hmm - was only trying to be helpful! So what supermarket is better than Park'n'Shop??? No supermarket in HK is a patch on those in the US or Europe, but I've never found another company that was better!
Not having lived there for 10 years I knew there was some bus service through the tunnel nowadays, but I know it's far from 24 hrs so I didn't mention it. And OK in the middle of the night you've got to wait 30 mins for a ferry... well if that's a big problem that's your choice.
And in terms of 100% safe - well, what would you call a place with almost no traffic and virtually zero percent crime? I don't know many places in major cities anywhere on earth that come close!

[ayyar]

hi...i just saw this thread.
we are also moving to hk shortly..next mth. and we are seriouly considering kowloon tong because of proximity to mtr and kcr. i have a 1 yr baby. we have a budget of 12-15000HKd....for a 700-800sqft funrished apt...do you think its asking for too much in this rent in a place like k tong.
any suggestions for any particular building.
whats the rent like in dynasty heights..from what i gather its very steep...but not getting too much info on dynasty heights..can anyone help.
we dont have a car and my husbands work place is shatin.

thanks
r.ayyar

[alexis]

Hi

I realise this thread started a long time ago but I'd like to find out more about the agencies and availability of flats in KT area. We went looking and couldn't find more than 2 small agencies there and they had nothing for us to look at under 20K. Our budget is similiar to the last post - under $15K. Can anyone help/advise? Thanks

[feefoefum]

I'm looking to move into the kowloon area. but i have a budget for 7,000 HKD a month rent. I want a 1 bedroom flat and I don't want to share the flat with someone.. i am not keen to stay in busy Mong Kok or Prince Edward, TST. I work in Kowloon Tong and need to be close to this area. Can anyone advise me on a district to go to?? A place with MTR access too.

[Mat]

Lok Fu is cheaper but mostly gvt housing...

Kowloon Tong for 7K will be a struggle to find, it is an upmarket area

[chingleutsch]

In areas convenient to Kowloon Tong you will be looking either in very crowded "local" working class areas like Sham Shui Po or Kowloon City, or if you don't mind a train commute, somewhere near the East Rail line on the other side of Lion Rock tunnel - probably north of Shatin.