Moving to Hong Kong with toddler

[E16930]

Hi,

My husband and I along with our little boy who will soon be 2 will relocate to Hong Kong early September. My husband will be working in Causeway Bay, so wondering what would be a good area to live - relatively quick commute for my husband but somewhere that my son and I can enjoy outdoor activities. our budget for rent is max 40K. He loves to be outdoors and I am a little concerned with the size of apartments and no back garden etc.

Any info that people can be share would be really appreciated.

Thanks

[jmbf]

Depends on what you mean by quick commute. Everywhere within 15 - 20 minutes of Causeway Bay (CWB) will be very built up and high density. Perhaps you could check out Happy Valley? It is slightly lower density and has an expat community. Otherwise if your husband is willing to commute for a bit longer then you could check out Discovery Bay on Lantau Island.

[Elegiaque]

I don't know much about specific neighborhoods or buildings, but Tin Hau, for example, would be very close to your husband's work and has beautiful hills right behind it. Quarry Bay, too, is practically juxtaposed on top of a huge country park. Park View is particularly well poised for the outdoors, but might be a bit expensive (?). For your budget you can probably get a nice apartment in these areas not too far from CWB, but the country parks are really at your doorstep! Have a look at the country maps of the area around Mount Parker and Tai Tam Reservoir. You're never far from nature in Hong Kong! (Lantau is particularly nice.... but involves commuting.)

[E16930]

Thanks for your responses.

I will definitely look into these areas. In terms of commute we are tryingto keep it to 30mins.

[imparanoic]

if you don't slightly longer commute, you can get an entire rural house 2100sq ft and a backyard near sai kung, commute depending which part could be longer than 40mins, places like tseng lan shue is close to kowloon, will you buy a car ? as the eastern tunnel to hk island is not that busy

[dumbdonkey]

if you don't slightly longer commute, you can get an entire rural house 2100sq ft and a backyard near sai kung, commute depending which part could be longer than 40mins, places like tseng lan shue is close to kowloon, will you buy a car ? as the eastern tunnel to hk island is not that busy

And then you can pay up to $5000 a month for a parking spot in cwb. Really, can we try to squeeze more private cars in cwb.

[Elegiaque]

Original Post Deleted

Even I don't go hiking in weather like this, but in the winter it's enjoyable! But from the OP's post it seems maybe her husband would enjoy it. And around the Tai Tam Reservoir and Mount Parker (and the family walk down from Park View) there are plenty of wide roads which would be easy and nice to walk with a toddler (especially as they get older). We recently saw a *gigantic* 2-foot turtle wading in the reservoir!

The south side might be nice, but it's more than a 30-minute door-to-door commute, no? Especially with the Aberdeen traffic.

[penguinsix]

While your son is only 2, you should be planning ahead as in 2 years they will be starting reception or kindergarten at most international schools (and as weird as this sounds, that means you need to start applying NOW for some of those schools--yes, now). I mention this not only to warn you of the need for applications but also as something to consider in your house hunting. If you have your heart set on a specific school you'll want to make your housing choices relative to the commute your partner and your child will have to make.

I know it is a bit early, but it's not something to ignore.

My advice on where to live would not be focused on proximity to nature as most things in Hong Kong, from paths to parks to beaches are not that far away by taxi, but on what your building offers in the way of entertainment for a child. An older walkup for example won't have a playroom, pool, or outdoor playground, but some of the newer, larger buildings will have dedicated areas for children to play, mingle, mix and have fun. Our building has a 3,000sq foot playroom with a padded jungle gym, slides, nets, etc which is a haven for families in the building. Having that place for them to go, outside of the house, is basically a "relief valve" for them and for us as we have times in our place that are quiet and peaceful while the kids are having a "kid life" playing with friends. As you look at different places, don't underestimate the value of something like this, even if it is in a more urban environment.

[omigosh]

Original Post Deleted

Agree that HK Island Southside is a good option - greenery, more open spaces, bigger expat community (if that is important to you). Look at Repulse Bay, Stanley and Chung Hom Kok. For your budget, you might be able to get a 900 - 1000 sq ft place that has a pool and is close to the beach.

From the Southside, the easiest way to get to CausewayBay is by green minibus 40. As for commute time, if your husband gets on the minibus on or before 7:30am on weekdays, he should be in CausewayBay by around 8am (or maybe slightly before that). See this geoxpat thread for discussion on commute times from Stanley to CausewayBay:

http://hongkong.geoexpat.com/forum/61/thread296546.html

[Bob Loblaw]

While your son is only 2, you should be planning ahead as in 2 years they will be starting reception or kindergarten at most international schools (and as weird as this sounds, that means you need to start applying NOW for some of those schools--yes, now). I mention this not only to warn you of the need for applications but also as something to consider in your house hunting. If you have your heart set on a specific school you'll want to make your housing choices relative to the commute your partner and your child will have to make.

I'm guessing that since the OP hasn't lived here yet, they don't have their heart set on a school... really, it's a good situation since they can get a lay of the land before their kid has to start school. (Same situation we're in).

The point about building facilities is good, though I'd add that there are also many areas where there are nearby playgrounds that can be quite fun. One thing to think about is that there are a lot of kids in HK, and a lot of playgrounds. It's fun. If you manage to score a house with your own yard, it's very different - more outdoor space, but less social.