Child- HKIS, Work -Kowloon Where should I move?

[minhk]

Shouson Hill : Last time I looked at the prices there, I didnt see anything below 60K. Most places are 100K-150K per month. Seeing rents that are double my salary seem nutty to me :-)

Was in Stanley yesterday. And saw apartments (not new - going for $50K at Shouson Hill

South side refers to the entire south coast of Hong Kong island. HKIS is very close to RepulseBay. I suggested Bagio and Belair (around Cyberport) only because they are very well connected to public transport. Other spots on the south side are not as well connected and not so convenient with public transport. If you are willing to drive (and have the $$$ for the rents) then it opens up a lot more choices for you, including PokFuLam, Repulse Bay, South Bay and Red Hill.

(Repulse Bay and South Bay are walking distance to school)

Agreed. Was at Pacific Coffee (Stanley) yesterday. HKIS kids are often tutored there. Stanley & Repulse Bay is nice too but you'd have to add 10 - 15 minutes to your driving time. The beach is at your doorstep too.

We can never afford the rents in these areas. If you could i.e. your company allowance allows you to, take it up. It's great! It always reminds us of home (back in Oz) - the entire Stanley, Repulse Bay, Tai Tam areas :-) Belair seems to be a well-established areas for mums and kids - sort of an instant playdate/friendship forming area. So perhaps it's a good start for 6 months. You don't want your wife/child to be isolated. Given the large allowance you have, you'd get a more than splendid place at Belair.

[hello_there]

What is wrong with schools in Kowloon Tong such as "American International School"? Are you saying that HKIS is much better? Also HKIS is more suited to American system than the American School?

Did i say anything at all about the American International School - no. Did I say that there was anything "wrong" with any of the the schools - no. I just said that for kids I know who moved from HKIS to schools (and I was not at all specific about which ones) in Kowloon it didn't work out perfectly. Obviously the reference to the US curriculum issue would only apply to kids who did NOT move to AIS, which btw, has the same admissions and space issues as any other international school so its not like you can just show up and enroll there. Don't put words in my mouth. The OP's issue is that his child has a place at HKIS and he needs to find somewhere to live that accommodates her commute to school and his commute to work.

[hello_there]

3) Parkview : Nice location among country park. 20 min to school, close to hiking, shuttle to MTR and shopping, good facilities.

Not bashing what I thought was a well thought out post, but Parkview is maybe 10 minutes to the Repulse Bay (primary school) HKIS campus and 20 minutes to the high school in Tai Tam. Its about 15 minutes by the resident shuttle bus to Admiralty MTR station and takes about 40 minutes door to door to ICC in Kowloon barring unexpected traffic delays on the road from PV to the MTR (plus or minus a little for other MTR stops in Kowloon).

I also think that transport connections going through Repulse Bay are pretty good as long as you're happy with a bus or cab. There are frequent busses and mini-busses going all over HK island and taxis are almost always available, even in mornings.

[HowardCoombs]

I also think that transport connections going through Repulse Bay are pretty good as long as you're happy with a bus or cab. There are frequent busses and mini-busses going all over HK island and taxis are almost always available, even in mornings.

My comments about Repulse/South Bay are from 4 families that live there. It is doable without a car, but a bit painful. They all love the area (shops, quiet, clean, beach and walk to school)...

But public transport seems to be very sub-optimal when compared to HappyValley and/or Belair.

Minibus : They are always full (cant get on)
Bus : Very crowded during rush hours, can never get a seat.
Taxi : Big hit and miss

As for Stanley, same comments apply with respect to transport. Very nice place, but the traffic and lack of public transport would put me off.

HC

[bdw]

Don't put words in my mouth.

I did no such thing. But your post seemed to imply some things which maybe you dont even realise yourself and I was asking for your clarification.

To me, your post seemed to imply that living on HK side was better. You particularly said "None have been happy with the decision" with reference to the American people you know who have moved from HK side to Kowloon side. To me, this sounds like rubbish.

I only mentioned AIS because you seemed to be talking specifically about Americans and how Americans moving from HKIS cannot adjust to the Kowloon side. I thought it pertinent in this case to mention that there is an American school in Kowloon. There are many many other good international and local schools in Kowloon Tong and I just dont see how moving from HKIS to one of these schools can result in 100% dissatisfaction.

[hello_there]

But public transport seems to be very sub-optimal when compared to HappyValley and/or Belair.

Minibus : They are always full (cant get on)
Bus : Very crowded during rush hours, can never get a seat.
Taxi : Big hit and miss

As for Stanley, same comments apply with respect to transport. Very nice place, but the traffic and lack of public transport would put me off.

HC

Hmm. I have lived in Repulse Bay and am in Stanley now and have not had any issues with public transport being too crowded, even during rush hours. Busses (6, 6X, 260) come by about every 5-10 minutes during rush hours (I leave between 7:30-9:30 am depending on the day) and I have yet to not get a seat. Unless its absolutely pouring rain I've not waited more than 10 minutes for a taxi either. The bigger estates in Repulse Bay also have their own shuttle busses that go right to Central.

[Geoff]

On my trips out to Repulse Bay/Stanley after work I've never had any issues getting a seat on the buses either.

[MovingIn07]

I just said that for kids I know who moved from HKIS to schools (and I was not at all specific about which ones) in Kowloon it didn't work out perfectly.

I think the point I struggle with here is that the OP's daughter has not actually started yet, so it's not like she'd ever know what she was missing.

[PackerFan]

I want to thank everyone for all their input on this thread, it was extremely helpful in my search for the right place. I thought I would give an update on where we ended up.

During the summer we moved to a repulse bay service apt. My son was with us for the summer so it was difficult (2 adults and 2 kids) in a 1bedroom Service apt, we were happy to get a bigger space. Repulse Bay was absolutely amazing. So gorgeous, our place overlooked the beach, it was phenomenal. We also loved being so close to Stanley. Stanley was such a nice relaxing place, we enjoyed many meals there.

That being said, it was just too far. For me, MTR is pretty important since the exit is so close to my office, having to take a taxi or bus 30 minutes to get to an MTR was not doable. It was an 1hr commute minimum sometimes 1.5hrs at night.

I'm truly happy I got to spend a month plus in Repulse Bay, now I know what it's all about, it's a great place.

We ended up moving to Parkview, that turned out to be perfect.

#1) Great mountain views, lots of greenery, cool breezes and hiking trails.
#2) Great facilities. We don't have to go far off to a club, because the facilities are good enough, we ended up getting the membership.
#3) Close to HKIS, with a TON of kids going to HKIS from there.
#4) Only 15 minutes to Stanley/Repulse Bay area, we still like going there to eat.
#5) Bus Shuttle only 12-15 minutes (depends on traffic, could be more) to the MTR. I like still being just a quick bus ride from the city and all the action. It doesn't feel far to get to the city area.
#6) My commute fits in the 40-50 minute time range. I can drive all the way or I can take a shuttle bus and MTR, it's pretty much the same time. Usually it's been about 45minutes which is not bad.

I'm pretty happy the area is not too far from anything but still has a remote feel to it away from the concrete jungle.

Regarding the schooling, it was important for my daughter to go to a school we were comfortable with, but also we planned it according to my son. He's in 7th grade and he's already being asked to take his SAT's in December. It's a different world from when I was in school and they are already talking SAT's and college preparation. He goes to a very good school in the U.S. and I didn't want to move him here without him getting into a top school in HK. Now he's got a slightly better chance thanks to his sister. We'll cross our fingers and hopefully he'll be with us for next school year. I have no problems with any other school in HK or Kowloon or anywhere else, this is just the school that fit for us, and where we got admission.

Thanks again for all your help, the apartment hunting was probably the most challenging part of our move to HK.

[MovingIn07]

thanks for the update - its always nice to find out what actually happened