Originally Posted by randy1:
I don't think 12K is too bad for that, especially when you compare it to Mid Levels, where you would pay a lot more, for a smaller place, with no facilities, no view etc. If you think an increase to 12K is a lot, you should see how much landlords are raising prices on HK island. Mid Levels, Sheung Wan, Sai Wan, Pokfulam - its all really going up a lot now with rental agreements signed 2 years ago coming up for renewal. The place I am renting on PI is 1500 sqft, with a rooftop - rent is 32K a month, which I think is great great value. My employer pays an allowance of 30K a month, so I add 2k on my own. There is no way I could get anything even close to the quality of what I have now for 30K in the Mid Levels now.
Here is my basic day on Park Island during the week:
7am - Wake up, go for a walk on beach with dog.
7.30 - Breakfast with family.
8ish - If I need to go to office, I will go to the ferry and then do some emails on the way to Central. I can also work from home, and if I have a home day I will get started with emails, and maybe go for a swim or a quick workout at the gym 11ish. My son goes to the local kindergarten on the island.
12ish - lunch, often at one of the beach restaurants. I might also bring my laptop and do emails as there is a wireless connection there, and I have been known to have a small glass of wine with my meal
. I also do skype with some clients, and they always comment on how awesome it is that I can work from the beach! Also, and perhaps best of all, I have my dog with me, sitting beside me at the outdoor table.
After lunch, I sometimes take a quick ocean dip (just getting ready to do that now in fact!)
For shopping, sometimes our helper does it, but I might pop into the Park and Shop and pick up some things. I never find the line longer than 2-3 people (which is WAY better than P&S in the Mid Levels). And I find the selection of foods and wines at P&S much better than the one I used to go to on Caine Road Mid Levels.
2-5ish - emails, or perhaps watch a movie or read a book if I am home, and play with my son.
Evenings - swim in one of the pools, sauna, spa, and then either dinner at home, BBQ on the rooftop with friends invited over, or a meal at one of the beach restaurants or the seafood restaurants in the local village. Often we end up having some late night drinks, either at Cafe Romas, or at a friends place on the island, or at my place.
I also go out to Wan Chai or Soho etc once or twice a week, and then just cab it back to PI when I am done.
Altogether quite idyllic for me, I must say
I did consider Sai Kung. What put me off there was first of all the long drive there. Secondly also the fact that none of the houses there have the facilities PI has, and also that you need to drive anywhere to get food etc, where as on PI you can just walk out the door and grab whatever you need.