Moving with 8 and 9 yo girls

[jonathan22]

My wife and I are contemplating a move in late December or early January depending on the offer my company puts together.

We've looked at various posts online and have started to get a general sense of the challenges we might face (for example: we could live in Disco Bay but schooling would be a major issue).

One thing I have not seen too many threads about is arriving in Hong Kong with kids that aren't toddlers but aren't teenagers either.

We have 8yo and 9yo girls.

Are the school challenges the same with older kids?

I would be working in Central.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[MommyTo3]

I think you should really be looking / applying for schools right now, it's not too far away, and people do tend to move after Xmas as well, but some schools are quite hard to get it into, although I have a sense it sometimes gets a little easier when they're older, but then it all depends!

Schooling was a major reason for us not to move to DB, what if we couldn't get a spot at DBIS or DBC? Ship a 5 yo of to HK Island? I wasn't willing to do that. We're happy on the South Side. It partly depends on where you are going to live and what your housing budget will be.

 

[kjg]

Hi
We were in the same boat as mum2sofieandtwins. Didn't consider disco bay as we didn't want to risk not getting into the schools there. I have a few friends that did take the plunge with school aged children and moved to DB. One got in to DBIS (they had a debenture) the other eventually moved to HK island after a year of commuting a 5 year old on the ferry to Bradbury everyday. I know a lot of people do the 'across the harbour schools', but it would have really bothered me and a real hassal if for some reason you need to collect the children quickly (emergency or typhoon/rain warnings).
See what options the company are providing you with debentures and contact the school's directly. Debentures do puch you up the priority list in schools.
Good luck.

 

[rani]

If you're considering ESF schools, have a look at the Corporate Surety Scheme

http://www.esf.edu.hk/index.aspx?nodeID=1039&langno=1

 

[jane01]

I understand from friends in your situation that it is easier to get older children into international/esf schools in HK than younger children. Preschool and early primary are particularly difficult.

I also understand that there is a shortage of places at high school level, but this is not a problem if you attend a school which goes all the way through.

Where you live will depend on your budget, where you'll be working and what lifestyle expectations you have. Discovery Bay is very convenient to Central, as is the south side, mid levels and Happy Valley. Don't write off DB until you contact the schools and ask about availability for your children's ages.