Moving to HK with New born twins - Need advice where to live!
- Thread starter phil993
- Start date
nicolejoy
Registered User
If that were my budget/requirements, I might look around Taikoo Shing or Sai Wan Ho area - estates like Grand Promenade or Les Saisons for example. Although it is a little further from Central, if that is important to you. But it's very close to Quarry Bay and quite convenient as well.
How important is being close to the MTR to you? Because there are many places up the hill a bit which would fit your requirements - some on North Point Hill (such as Pacific Palisades) but I find that once you're up the hill, many times the proximity to shops is not so good - although since you're higher, the light will be better. There are also places up the hill in Tai Hung, Wan Chai or even Central Mid Levels - but as you go further west, the commute times increase.
You can search on http://www.hongkonghomes.com for some more ideas
How important is being close to the MTR to you? Because there are many places up the hill a bit which would fit your requirements - some on North Point Hill (such as Pacific Palisades) but I find that once you're up the hill, many times the proximity to shops is not so good - although since you're higher, the light will be better. There are also places up the hill in Tai Hung, Wan Chai or even Central Mid Levels - but as you go further west, the commute times increase.
You can search on http://www.hongkonghomes.com for some more ideas
I live in Tai Tam (near Stanley) and it's a quick 15-20 minute commute to Quarry Bay. The area is not MTR accessible, but many of the estates around here such as Pacific View, Redhill Peninsula and Manhattan provide free shuttle buses regularly to MTR stations. Tai Tam or even Stanley is nice because it feels suburban and takes you completely out of the city if you ever need refuge from busy HK. With your budget, you could easily find a spacious 2-3 bedroom apartment with sea view and club house facilities.
Additionally, if you plan to drive at all, then the commute can become quite easy. I never hit any traffic going from Tai Tam/Stanley into Eastern HK.
Additionally, if you plan to drive at all, then the commute can become quite easy. I never hit any traffic going from Tai Tam/Stanley into Eastern HK.
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Or Clearwater Bay is lovely. Some areas are 30 minutes by car to Quarry Bay or if you live near Hang Hau you can jump on the MTR and it is only 15 minutes or so. You'd get much more space there for your money, and lovely scenery. Not sure about the 'modern building w/pool' though.
If not I second evgreen. I used to live in Shek O (further than Tai Tam) and commute to Quarry Bay. Used to take me 20-30 minutes (by car).
If not I second evgreen. I used to live in Shek O (further than Tai Tam) and commute to Quarry Bay. Used to take me 20-30 minutes (by car).
I've been looking tonight at the Stanley area, as evgreen mentioned. It looks really nice, with a village atmosphere.
But I am not sure we can get a 3 bed place here on our budget?
Seems to be a nice area where we can push a pram around, with some cafes/bars etc.
I know there is no MTR here - do buses run from here or do people drive/taxi to central?
Thanks for your all your time to respond!
But I am not sure we can get a 3 bed place here on our budget?
Seems to be a nice area where we can push a pram around, with some cafes/bars etc.
I know there is no MTR here - do buses run from here or do people drive/taxi to central?
Thanks for your all your time to respond!
Stanley is lovely. A great supermarket, good bars and restaurants. You might be able to find something on your budget but you'll have to search I suspect. It is a really nice place though. Buses run from Stanley. Taxis will too, but it can be tough to get a taxi in Hong Kong at certain times. If I were you I would definitely get a car. Especially if you have two little ones. It'll be much more convenient and a lot safer also.
Public transport from Stanley is ultra convenient. Several bus routes available going to Causeway Bay, Chai Wan, Central and Aberdeen. I would look into Stanford Villa in Stanley if you're looking at a 3 bedroom on your budget. There is a gym and pool on the property. Some apartment units there even have patios/rooftops available. I used to live there with my husband and it's an easy walk to several restaurants, 7-11, supermarket and even the beach.
howardcoombs
Registered User
Ummm, unless you are at the beginning of the ride, minibuses get full very quickly coming out of Stanley. In fact:
1) without a car, living anywhere in the southside is not particularly convenient for rush hour commute or even for popping out for errands in mid day
2) with a car, you have the issues of running a car on Hong Kong which are numerous.
Without actually being here, you wont know what you will like and what your family will tolerate. You are lucky that you have a fairly generous budget. I would suggest you come and stay somewhere temporary for a month or 2 before deciding.
I would recommend QuarryBay/Taikoo (walking distance) followed by Shaukeiwan and SiuSaiWan (15 mins). Shops, MTR with pools and seaviews. Ticks all the boxes.
Clearwaterbay, ShekO, Stanley, TaiTam are all beautiful areas but every single one of them has traffic issues as they are on single lane (each way) roads. One small accident and you are stuck for a while. That sucks when you have to get to work quickly.
When you do come here, also consider Happy Valley. Its a happy place, will tick all boxes except for the seaview and makes a very centrally located place that is convenient to everywhere.
1) without a car, living anywhere in the southside is not particularly convenient for rush hour commute or even for popping out for errands in mid day
2) with a car, you have the issues of running a car on Hong Kong which are numerous.
Without actually being here, you wont know what you will like and what your family will tolerate. You are lucky that you have a fairly generous budget. I would suggest you come and stay somewhere temporary for a month or 2 before deciding.
I would recommend QuarryBay/Taikoo (walking distance) followed by Shaukeiwan and SiuSaiWan (15 mins). Shops, MTR with pools and seaviews. Ticks all the boxes.
Clearwaterbay, ShekO, Stanley, TaiTam are all beautiful areas but every single one of them has traffic issues as they are on single lane (each way) roads. One small accident and you are stuck for a while. That sucks when you have to get to work quickly.
When you do come here, also consider Happy Valley. Its a happy place, will tick all boxes except for the seaview and makes a very centrally located place that is convenient to everywhere.
nicolejoy
Registered User
I have to agree with HC - I rarely go to the southside and have found it to be SUCH a pain from North Point (just one stop away from Quarry Bay). Public transport is sloooowww - and there are often traffic jams if you go by taxi. It seems like there are always two heavy vehicles on the road at the dam, and one of them has to reverse the entire way 
One time we were stuck there in one spot for about 20 minutes just waiting for these two trucks to figure out who was going to give way to who. I love the area, I think it's gorgeous - but if I had to work every day on this side of the island, I'd probably give it a miss... there are plenty of options which are WAY more convenient.
One time we were stuck there in one spot for about 20 minutes just waiting for these two trucks to figure out who was going to give way to who. I love the area, I think it's gorgeous - but if I had to work every day on this side of the island, I'd probably give it a miss... there are plenty of options which are WAY more convenient.Congrats on your upcoming move! I second evgreen on Stanley/Tai Tam as a lovely place to live.
In all honesty, everyone has different requirements, preferences and deal breakers with regards to areas to live. It's hard to gauge from afar, so take your time to find the right area. Suggest a serviced apartment for the first few weeks to allow yourself some time to check the various areas out.
I find that a good property agent makes a huge difference - not to generalize but a newcomer to HK is often shocked at the state of HK rental apartments ( they can be very old and basic, circa 1970s or cookie cutter tiny in newer
developments) so finding the right agent to show you round makes things easier.
Take a look at Habitat-Property.com - they cater to the Expat market and focus on a few select areas in HK. The budget that you've indicated throws up quite a few nice options in Stanley, so worth giving them a shout. And no, I'm not affiliated in any way to Habitat! Just been here long enough and find their services useful and spot on for "a typical Expat".
re Stanley/Tai Tam - it's on the Southside of the island so very low density, great sea views, beaches and a very relaxed way of life compared to the hustle and bustle that is HK. Great for families as a result.
Getting to Quarry Bay is not bad as you're going against traffic, although yes, if you're trying to get to Central, I can see why others would consider it a distance but it's still only at best 40mins in lousy traffic. And coming from London, i guess that is not so bad, no?
All the best for your move!
In all honesty, everyone has different requirements, preferences and deal breakers with regards to areas to live. It's hard to gauge from afar, so take your time to find the right area. Suggest a serviced apartment for the first few weeks to allow yourself some time to check the various areas out.
I find that a good property agent makes a huge difference - not to generalize but a newcomer to HK is often shocked at the state of HK rental apartments ( they can be very old and basic, circa 1970s or cookie cutter tiny in newer
developments) so finding the right agent to show you round makes things easier.
Take a look at Habitat-Property.com - they cater to the Expat market and focus on a few select areas in HK. The budget that you've indicated throws up quite a few nice options in Stanley, so worth giving them a shout. And no, I'm not affiliated in any way to Habitat! Just been here long enough and find their services useful and spot on for "a typical Expat".
re Stanley/Tai Tam - it's on the Southside of the island so very low density, great sea views, beaches and a very relaxed way of life compared to the hustle and bustle that is HK. Great for families as a result.
Getting to Quarry Bay is not bad as you're going against traffic, although yes, if you're trying to get to Central, I can see why others would consider it a distance but it's still only at best 40mins in lousy traffic. And coming from London, i guess that is not so bad, no?
All the best for your move!