We came over 10 years ago with our 6 yr old & a large black dog (Gordon Setter) from UK. He was 20 months old then. We moved to a village house apartment with roof top in Tseung Kwan O. In a previous HK stint we lived without a dog just off Hollywood Road near Central in a high rise apartment, but I couldn’t imagine bringing a large dog to live in that environment, mainly for exercise needs.
Based on these experiences, my thoughts on your situation:
1. We chose a location that had immediate access to hiking trails that the dog could run on off the lead. Any dog over 25kg must be on a lead at all times, except in country parks, so it was important to allow him that freedom as he was used to roaming all over the Yorkshire Dales. However the country hiking trails are a lot busier than they used to be but early morning is still ok, although not a problem these days as our dog is now well passed the running around stage.
2. Around Clearwater Bay you should get 2 floors at least of a village house, so 1400 sq ft, for your budget with easy access to hiking trails / beaches (winter only for latter with dogs, again early morning best). There are vet clinics close by, not too expensive ( by HK standards).
3. Some locals (mostly women) will make alarming sounds and faces when they see your large dog ( I find the likelihood increases when they are younger and with a boyfriend who they can then cling to and demand protection from ) Most locals I come across are too friendly, want a photo, come up and pet him. Not a problem now, but in his younger & more typical crazy setter phase, he liked to put his paws on people’s shoulders and lick their faces, which wasn’t always appreciated! Will depend on how cute your dog looks I guess, Setters are pretty goofy looking and cute.
3. Downside to a village location is other dogs. There will be lots. They will be mostly under 25 kgs and never on a lead. They will bark, yap, come straight for your dog in an aggressive manner, to which their owners will be oblivious. Unless you or your dog reacts, then there will be a righteous commotion and you will be abused, sworn at. Try to get to know all the neighborhood dogs, so they don’t react every time you step outside with the dogs. For strange dogs when out walking we carry a large stout stick to try to prevent them getting too close. Our dog has been attacked a few times, he isn’t aggressive and won’t fight back so we use the stick as a barrier, until the owner comes to abuse us and remove their dog.
4. CWB has a good-sized expat population, an international kindergarten, a supermarket that caters to expats, and an expat staffed medical clinic nearby. With a baby and dogs I would suggest getting a car, because hauling a baby around with paraphernalia in the height of summer on mini buses and MTR isnt pleasant. Plenty of decent 2nd hand cars available at reasonable money ( check the ads on here for expats leaving and selling their cars, you can usually see full service history with them).
5. Most apartments /house have marble floors. This is exceptionally bad for large dogs and their joints, invest in plenty of rugs to prevent problems in the future. If you choose a place that requires stairs, think about a harness to help them up. We got one from Amazon that is very easy to use to just take some of the weight off for him.
6. Ticks! Loads in the bushes, because of wild boar & deer. Frontline is useless, get a Seresto collar from vets - quite pricey here, might pay to bring some with you.
Good luck!