Couple moving to HK - where to live?

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  1. #1

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    Apr 2010
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    Couple moving to HK - where to live?

    Hi there,
    Similar to many posts on this site my husband and I are relocating to HK in June. We are Aussies and would like to live in a strong expat community as we do not know anyone over there and are quite social so keen to meet new people. We have visited and I looked at Happy Valley, Causeway Bay and Mid Levels, yet my husbands colleagues all live in Pok Fu Lam. We would like the largest, most modern apartment we can get in a $30K monthly budget that is still 15 mins to work. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks


  2. #2

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    It would help if you told us where work will be...


  3. #3

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    Apr 2010
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    Apologies! IFC for my husband and (hopefully) also Central for myself.. about to embark on the jobhunt. Thanks!


  4. #4

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    15 minutes, if you mean door to door is going to be very restrictive - just getting in and out of an MTR station takes 5 minutes, a minute or two to wait for a train, and you couldn't be further awy than right next door to Wanchai station! IFC is a 7 or 8 minute walk from Central MTR.

    So the best answer if this is firm would be somewhere adjacent to the mid-levels escalator, on which you could get to IFC from at least as far up as Robinson Road in 15 minutes. But obviously you get less space per dollar in the mid-levels than you do in Pok Fu Lam (which is more than 15 minutes away from IFC except in a taxi outside the rush hour). There are more newer properties in the mid-levels than there are in Pok Fu Lam though.

    Do you want facilities (club house, gym, pool, etc)? You might get a view for $30K in PFL, but you won't in the mid-levels.

    Happy Valley and Causeway Bay are well outside your 15 minute radius (again excluding by taxi late at night).

    Somewhere around Olympic would be within 15 minutes.

    People don't tend to socialise with their neighbours (except out in the villages of the New Territories) and very very few areas have more than 20-25% expats (and none have none), so I wouldn't worry about that.

    Last edited by PDLM; 02-04-2010 at 09:24 PM.

  5. #5

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    Thanks - so 15 mins is unrealistic? Thats fine - Im learning as I go! So is Pok Fu Lam a suitable area? Realistically we would be happy to offset the commute time for a bigger, nicer, renovated apartment...and trees? Or is that really pushing it?

    If people dont socialise with their neighbours - how does everyone meet? Purely through work?

    Thanks for your feedback btw I appreciate it.


  6. #6

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    Feb 2010
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    Hi
    For IFC, you could consider the Apartments above Kowloon station - a very nice cluster of buildings with all amenities - slightly pricey though. You should get around 1000 sq ft for your budget. However, all apartments in HK are a bit cramped unless you go in for an old construction....

    I dont know your preference in terms of living out a bit - Discovery bay is a beautiful place - travel by ferry - 25 mins to IFC...

    Cheers


  7. #7

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    i would second discovery bay. nice, comfy ferry ride. no traffic jams to worry about. once off the ferry it takes 2 mintues to get to IFC. ferry ride itself takes about 30 minutes. LOTS of expats. VERY easy to meet people. LOTS of greenery. LOTS more bang for your buck in DB compared to mid-levels (or pretty much anywhere on hk island). decent supermarket. 16 (?) restaurants to choose from just in DB, pluse easy access to central...


  8. #8

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    Quote Originally Posted by renee1:
    Thanks - so 15 mins is unrealistic? Thats fine - Im learning as I go! So is Pok Fu Lam a suitable area? Realistically we would be happy to offset the commute time for a bigger, nicer, renovated apartment...and trees? Or is that really pushing it?

    If people dont socialise with their neighbours - how does everyone meet? Purely through work?

    Thanks for your feedback btw I appreciate it.
    Pok Fu Lam is suitable if you describe what suitable is.

    "offset the commute time for a bigger, nicer, renovated apartment...and trees?" Pok Fu Lam has this, also new territories, but depends how much your willing to sacrafice in commute time.

    Facilities? Any kids? activities etc.

  9. #9

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    Dec 2009
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    There is always Bel-Air in Cyberport/Pok Fu Lam/Island South (depending on real estate agent!) http://www.bel-air-hk.com The 30X bus stops right outside, and gets to IFC in about 20-30 mins ( I find 20 mins or so, but may be more in rush hour). It departs every 20 mins and costs approx AUD$1. Pretty much every apartment has a sea view, and the club houses offer many facilities ( swimming pools, tennis courts, spa, restaurants, etc). Shuttle bus from Bel-Air goes to Sheung Wan (though 30X is quicker to get to IFC), grocery shopping about 5 mins walk ( and will deliver), small park too, and also has good bus connections to Causeway Bay, Stanley, Aberdeen, Central and airport (about 10min walk to the airport express bus).
    Apartments are anything from 1 to 6 years old, and for your budget should get a 2 or 3 bedroom place. We came here from Aus 3 months ago, and are very happy with the facilities, location etc.
    If you would like any further info, please let me know

    Last edited by pudcat; 02-04-2010 at 10:45 PM.

  10. #10

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    Aug 2009
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    I dont think you will get anything with 30K in bel-air anymore.The prices are uppp again.
    You want greenery and neighbours to say HII to you better move to new territories


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