Moving from Mid Levels to Discovery Bay

[Stirling]

Hi
Moving to DB next month and have done a huge amount of research and visited. House wise a good 3 bedroom with garden/terrace area I would say about 100,000 HKD a month maybe a bit
less or more depending on size and how far
from the plaza (central point for ferry)
No airport noise that I heard. Re schools, your
child would have to get a 25 minute ferry ride
and then most likely another 20-30 minutes to your school because of traffic at that time. Long commute for a 6 year old.
Re ferry times - run half hourly or more during the
day and reduce to hourly after about 1am in the morning. Ferry is lovely and air-conditioned and relaxing. Taxis are very cheap about £2 sterling
for a good distance if not cheaper.
If you need the name of a good agent PM me
and I can give you the details - very helpful
and nice guy.

[carang]

you can get nice places in db for FAR less than 100K/month, just in case anyone else is thinking that's all there is...

[jayinhongkong]

The expense of the ferry and the time it takes to commute to HK island (where my aging parents have spent most of the last 28 years) is what made us decide to stay in the Mid-Levels. The commute doesn't bother me at all. I'd much rather live in DB and not have to deal with the HK Island pollution. I could ride a bike around all day in DB.

[chenaults1]

Hi, Discovery Bay is GREAT for kids. There are a lot of families (90%) here and not a great place for single people (more midlevels). I have been here for 5 months and love it. Everything is extremely easy to get too. Any of the condo's would work for you. It just depends on if you want to be able to walk to the plaza or take a bus. Buses run ALL THE TIME. So if you do not live in walking distance of the plaza (groceries, restaurants, etc) it won't be a problem. It is really beautiful out here. The Sienna Club is pricey but if you are a member of one you are a member of both clubs. We only have two out here. You can use either one. It is a bit pricey but it's really nice!

Hope this helps.

[carang]

there are actually 4 clubs in db...
the two residents' clubs
the marina club
the golf club

you need separate memberships for the latter two.

[MovingIn07]

We came quite close to choosing DB when we moved here last year. We liked the lower cost, space and the greenery. What put us off was the "stepford wives" atmosphere and the "keep up with the Jones" golf buggies. Ended up living in the GOld Coast - that too has quite a european atmosphere, space, clean, cheap but more mixed communities and less claustrophobia.

[Stirling]

When I am cloned into a Stepford Wife I am hoping
I will lose a couple of dress sizes to fit in.........

Any place is what you make it and everywhere
has competitive females - you either enter into
the competition or stay well clear like I do - its easy done, there are lots of normal mums in DB

[mumto2]

we are looking at 3 bedroom apartments and have seen quite a few around the 25K a month mark...for a townhouse we have seen around the $35-40K a month mark...we haven't looked at houses (out of our budget )

I have found living as an expat that there is always some "keeping up with the jones'", you just don't have to buy into it...

Mostly for us it was about the best area for the kids, there are swimming pools, a beach, no cars, greenery, dance classes, kindy's, playgroups, swimming classes, Disneyland and a McDonalds All in walking distance or a short bus ride...and a 25minute commute to central.

[Rebelrouser]

We have visited DB several times in past month, and each time we like it more than Kennedy Town. We are negotiating on a flat close to the Plaza, and hope to move by end of this year. Love the trees and grassy areas, plenty of parks, friendly people, and compared to Merton, no noise, and that says it all.

[Hayzee]

Thanks rebelrouser and everyone for all your input here. I think I will seriously consider moving out to DB in the very near future. All the trees and greenery and parks for the kids is just too tempting...!