Moving to HK with 2 kids

[gbenassar]

Hi,

I'm being offered a job in HK for next year and I'm looking at negociating my package. I would need to know where I should be considering living in order to have around 1200-1500 sqft for around 20 000 HK or even less

My kids would go to the French International School I think.

Thanks a lot

[Sleuth]

Are you talking actual square footage or HK realtor's square footage?
Where are you trying to live? I guess I should say, where would be convenient? NT, Kowloon, HK Island?

[KnowItAll]

1200-1500 (or larger) sq ft apartments are in short supply on the Island ... be prepared for about 25-30K in areas like Pokfulam.

Mid-Levels would be higher.

Islands and places like Sai Kung, Gold Coast would be cheaper, but it would be a pain in the rear commute for the kids.

[gbenassar]

Thank you for the replies,

I'm looking for HK square feet, which seems to be around 20% less than what is announced. My office would be at Hung Hom, so I guess I will have to commute either ways

If I understood you well my budget should be around 25-30K either on Kowloon or on the island (excepting mid-levels) and I will not really have a convenient location in term of commuting?

Could you recommand then the "least worst" location?

Thanks again for your help

[Sleuth]

Hong Hom certainly opens a range of less expensive options in the NT.
Where is the French International School and does it have to be that school?

[KnowItAll]

Their primary, secondary and kindergarten locations are in different areas. Where will you kids be going?

[gbenassar]

My kids will be 7 and 4 years old by when I should move in.

[ontheroad]

The youngest one will probably be in Sheung Wan, and the eldest at Jardine's Lookout. Because of the Sheung Wan location, many families prefer not to have their young ones in the school bus for such a long trip and opt to put their kindergarten children in their local preschools/montessoris and then transfer them to the FIS in CP.
You might want to think about looking in certain parts of Clearwater Bay and Sai Kung. The FIS should be able to provide you with the school bus schedule. Clearwater Bay also has an excellent ESF.

[KnowItAll]

On HK side have a look at South Horizons/ Aberdeen. The commute to FIS should be around 20 mins or so. School bus will be around 45 mins or so