Seriousely, where should we live (pet-friendly)!?!?!

[thromsturmond]

Don't bring linens or any kitchen stuff, unless they are willing to ship it back. And even then, realize linens might be shipped on a boat, traversing the ocean for a few weeks. Not wise.
If you are a foodie and have specialized equipment or knives that you really like, bring them. But everything else you can usually get here. Just be aware that some items here are outrageously expensive, for some reason, like food processors. Bring stuff that will make your place feel like home, stuff with meaning to you; if it's more of a commodity, just buy it here.

[hello_there]

Oh, one personal tip. When I arrived here, I thought as you did. Living further in sacrifice to a nicer place. However, after living here in HK for a while, even 10 kilometres seem far. Best to stay nearer to where you work/ go frequently. Though the transport system here is good, it's always better to be near the heart of things. If you are going to work on HK Island, stay on the Island.

Totally disagree. Many people move further out, Sai Kung, Stanley, Disco Bay, etc. after starting out in the Mid-levels or whatever. Having the extra space, green places and the less crowded feeling is great for a lot of people, especially those with kids or large doggies.

I brought a lot of household items over especially bed linens (nice ones can get quite pricy here). Had no problems and everything arrived in great shape. Also shipped over dishes, etc. When deciding what to bring, keep in mind that kitchens are generally not that big. If your package allows for shipping, its probably a good idea and will save time running around looking for stuff you already have.

Oh, and the Shama that allows dogs is REALLY tiny and usually has a waiting list. Some people who move out here and have to stay in a serviced apartment chose to board there pups at somewhere like Ferndale or another spacious kennel for a couple weeks until they find a perminent place if the dog has to come out at the same time as they do. Others leave the dog with family/friends and ship the dog out a couple weeks later, after housing has been arranged. It doesn't take long to get into an apartment here once you find one you like.

[Skyhook]

Totally disagree. Many people move further out, Sai Kung, Stanley, Disco Bay, etc. after starting out in the Mid-levels or whatever. Having the extra space, green places and the less crowded feeling is great for a lot of people, especially those with kids or large doggies.

Hello there is quiet right, and as a general rule of thumb, the newer an apartment complex is, the smaller it will be with greatly reduced floor space efficiency. Losing as much as 30% of the advertised area to common area's, lift area's, stairwells, needlessly big downstairs lobby's and so on.

Older places are substantially bigger for the exact same quoted advertised area, only losing maybe 10 - 15% of their quoted efficiency on common area's.

I will list some area's that will be the most family/dog friendly area's, that will also offer much nicer ( less concrete shamozzle ) weekend area's for you to enjoy publically in a relaxed environment.

Most expat dog owners opt for a village house, either a ground floor with a garden or a top floor inc roof top garden, or a combination of both. But area's that offer that style of dog friendly home are generally at least 30 - 60 minutes from the city.

My list of Dog Friendly area's in order of affordability:

• Discovery Bay Lantau Island is your best bet, as its simple to get to and from Central on the 24/7 ferries, expat aimed shopping centre and lots of cool el fresco cafe's over looking the beach/bay. this area also boasts heaps of walking trails that you can take your dogs on long walks with something more interesting to walk on besides concrete and pavers. Mostly apartment complexes, which will vary from one to another in regard to individual condition, from basic to James Bond depending on your budget.
  
  
  
• Sai Kung New Territories East Basically the same demographic who love Discovery Bay, also live in Sai Kung, who choose to retain their cars, for use on the weekends. Gated Villa style homes and village homes are the most popular style of home for expats here, apartment living isn't on any body's high priority list who lives out here. The best homes in Sai Kung are built and decorated by Mr Wang, pronounced WONG, if you want further info, I'll put you in touch with his daughter, this family owns 200 plus homes in the area.
  
  
• Pok Fu Lam West HK Island If you prefer apartment style living, then this area promotes the best value for money in regard to spaciously larger apartments, and very expat family/dog friendly living conditions, with superior views of sea and greenery, without loads of buildings blocking your view/sunlight. Bang for buck, a tastefully renovated Pok Fu Lam apartment with "full sized" bedrooms, is a much nicer place to live than the tiny little shoe boxes like The Merton or The Belchers, in my opinion .
  
  
• South Hong Kong Island Stanley, Shouson Hill & Repulse Bay , three of the nicest area's to live on HK island, but also among the most expensive in terms of rents paid. Very popular amongst the American expat community, as the American club is located nearby, not indifferent to Pok Fu Lam, just double to almost triple the rental cost.

That should give you a little more perspective of what to expect in regard to the various expat living environments of Hong Kong.

Cheers

[PDLM]

Skyhook,

Good summary, but those photos are a bit misleading. There have only been about 10 days in the last two years with visibility even approaching those levels. Most days those views are just depressingly murky brown-grey pollution.

And before everyone says "yesterday was wonderful" (meaning Easter Monday) - that would have been a pretty bad day 7 or 8 years ago. Now any day with visibility more than 10km is regarded as exceptional.

[Claire ex-ax]

Here are some other images of Hong Kong. First Disneyland which is very close to Discovery Bay...


Hong Kong Island:


Causeway Bay, possibly...


Looking from HK Island towards Hung Hom:


Blue skies are worthy of a topic of conversation, so rare are they.

[Skyhook]

PDLM,

I do agree with you in regard to HK's generally smoggy out look, today is a good example of that, as I look through my office window, I can barely see further than 3 nautical miles before visibility is impaired.

The main reason I used those photo's is that it displayed the general topographies of the area's in question, and its a bit hard to display that when HK is blanketed in it's usual blanket of smog.

Wasn't trying to mislead as such, as most of us long termer's have seen the rapid visible airborne deterioration take place, especially over the last 11 years.

Just wanted to show the styles of buildings and terrains that matched what I was saying, the pollution aspect affects us all, regardless of where we live, if we choose to live within the boundaries of the HKSAR.

You get used to it after awhile, in an often jaw dropping, how do they get away with it kind of way.

[carang]

if you are bringing your dog with you when you come and need a place for him to stay while you look around, we have a lot of experience with new arrivals. they don't live in cages and have free reign over the ground floor of our home.

if you are interested, please pm me and i'll pass on the details.

thanks,
cara

[Guinness18]

Sambuster, I recently moved to HK (March 3rd) from the Upper East Side with my 110lb Rottweiler...so I know exactly what you are going through. I'd be happy to share more of my thoughts with you. I live in the Zenith (The Zenith) which is pet friendly (must be approved by actuall Landlord as these apts are seperately owned and then rented out) which opened in the past 6 months. Apts are not large (I live in a 2 bedroom to accomodate) and the rent is approx $2,600 US. My dog is very lay back and relaxed, but probably too small for a hyperactive dog. Close to transportation - 1 block to subway and ther are buses and trams all around (10 minute commute to central by Subway.) The streets are very crowded, but I have found a perfect walking route for the dog that is not too busy (approx 20-25 minute walk). Also, there is a nice dog park on the harborfront (10-15 minute walk). I just recently explored Happy Valley which seemed to be very pet friendly (this is a 15 minute walk from the Zenith.) Problem with Happy Valley is that you will need to take a bus to the subway. I'd be happy to share more with you, feel free to PM me.

[Sambuster]

Hi, All . . . . been off the computer a couple days w/some unexpected emergencies (dog, husband) - he, he! Again, thanks for all the recommendations/ideas, etc. Not sure if it's making me calmer or more anxious! We'll know early next week if this move is for sure or not so I'll be back online soon asking more ???'s. I've been to HK 3-4x's for work, but never really could differentiate what areas I was in. Office Kowloon side & HK Island for dinner/bars. If the deals works, I'm hoping we'll get a house-hunting trip 1wk trip - let's see. An old coworker is pulling me towards DBay b/c she lives there.
Good vets aren't an issue - right?!?
GUINNESS18, What does PM me mean? How do I do that? What a coincidence, we live on the UpperEast Side too. Our boxer 70lbs is calm too, he's 9yrs so he's good in a smaller places.
Sorry all for the long question-less reply

[Sambuster]

What is up w/that air pollution - HELLO! That's pretty bad, can't be good for the respiratory system.