Hi. Our family of 4 (2 elementary aged kids) will be moving to HK in just a few short weeks. I am a stay at home mom here in Texas and honestly just really nervous about coming to HK. My husband will be working in the Causeway Bay area and we have already filled out enrollment forms for several schools there (HKIS, DBINS, ESF-Canadian, and Bradbury). My husband and I are coming this week to look at various neighborhoods, but I am really confused and just very nervous. I have so many questions, but not many answers. I understand most may be answered once we get there...but it's such a big move and I don't know what to expect. For example: What neighborhoods are best for families with young kids with a dog? We have researched on the internet and think Repulse Bay, Stanley or Discovery Bay would probably good choices. We currently live in the suburbs and the kids attend a great nearby school and have various after school activies each week (soccer, piano, dance, etc.) Is this sort of routine normal for the kids there? What do kids do after school? Also one of my kids has asthma, so I worry about the pollution levels. Which are the better "expat" communities? We are hoping to rent a detached home with a yard/garden for the dog and for the kids to play. Not only do I worry about my kids fitting in, I worry I myself won't fit in or make friends when I am there. What do I do when they are at school or work? Are there any other stay at home moms whose kids are in school? Are there community (social or volunteer) groups I could join? I have read a lot of info on Hong Kong and the different areas, but everything seems so different. What would be a good place to live and maintain a decent lifstyle with a monthly rental budget of HK$200,000? Sorry for all the questions...I am just really nervous? Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Nervous About Coming to HK
- Thread starter texma
- Start date
Hi Texma,
If you're worried about air quality & want a somewhat suburban life-style, I would suggest trying Sai Kung or Clear Water Bay (unless your husband's job requires lots of business entertaining & you need to be near Central).
Here's a local magazine about SK-CWB
http://www.exploresaikung.com/
If you haven't searched for real-estate on this page, you might want to look:
http://www.gohome.com.hk/english/home.asp?
For such a *huge rental allowance you could get an enormous flat w/ garden or a whole village house w/ a good sea view in Clear Water Bay. I mean, you do realize that your rental allowance is 60 times a domestic helper's monthly salary (it's about 30 times the monthly rent I paid when I first moved to HK 16 years ago).
Most kids in HK do sports and piano etc. after school, as well as tutorials.
The ESF runs various sports programs (soccer especially) the Hong Kong Football club sponsors both mini-Rugby http://www.hkfc.com.hk/sports_sub.asp?cat=minirugby and mini-soccer
http://www.hkfc.com.hk/sports_sub.asp?cat=minisoccer
My son does Kung-fu & soccer & guitar lessons. My daughter does field hockey and used to have violin lessons, but now sings in her school choir instead.
Wherever you choose, try to be near some public transportation. Since my eldest turned 11 we've had her go to school by herself and (once we're staisfied she knows the way) take herself to her after school activities - saves a lot of headache and gives her responsibility (HK is very safe - one of my neighbors had her 10 year-old son going home from school by himself after his 1st few weeks at GSIS and at that point he spoke very little English and no Chinese).
There's plenty of volunteer opportunities and organizations to join. If you're a "joiner" it will be very easy to meet people. For example, PTAs are very active and always want new and active members.
Good luck on your search!
If you're worried about air quality & want a somewhat suburban life-style, I would suggest trying Sai Kung or Clear Water Bay (unless your husband's job requires lots of business entertaining & you need to be near Central).
Here's a local magazine about SK-CWB
http://www.exploresaikung.com/
If you haven't searched for real-estate on this page, you might want to look:
http://www.gohome.com.hk/english/home.asp?
For such a *huge rental allowance you could get an enormous flat w/ garden or a whole village house w/ a good sea view in Clear Water Bay. I mean, you do realize that your rental allowance is 60 times a domestic helper's monthly salary (it's about 30 times the monthly rent I paid when I first moved to HK 16 years ago).
Most kids in HK do sports and piano etc. after school, as well as tutorials.
The ESF runs various sports programs (soccer especially) the Hong Kong Football club sponsors both mini-Rugby http://www.hkfc.com.hk/sports_sub.asp?cat=minirugby and mini-soccer
http://www.hkfc.com.hk/sports_sub.asp?cat=minisoccer
My son does Kung-fu & soccer & guitar lessons. My daughter does field hockey and used to have violin lessons, but now sings in her school choir instead.
Wherever you choose, try to be near some public transportation. Since my eldest turned 11 we've had her go to school by herself and (once we're staisfied she knows the way) take herself to her after school activities - saves a lot of headache and gives her responsibility (HK is very safe - one of my neighbors had her 10 year-old son going home from school by himself after his 1st few weeks at GSIS and at that point he spoke very little English and no Chinese).
There's plenty of volunteer opportunities and organizations to join. If you're a "joiner" it will be very easy to meet people. For example, PTAs are very active and always want new and active members.
Good luck on your search!
hi texma
with a budget of 200,000p.m. you will find a great home and neighbourhood.
yes, afterschool activities are part of our kids lives here.
as for making friends, i think you will. there are so many activities to join, and whether you are interested in exploring Hong Kong's hiking paths, history or shopping...there are like minded people here (FUN ONES!) who share your interests and introduce you to new ones.
my four year old son has asthma and we discourage him from playing sports on heavy pollution days, and the school nurse keeps his ventiltor in her office at all times in case he gets wheezy. his quality of life is very good here.
although i am not from texas, like me, you're coming from a land of horizontal "wide open spaces" to vertical mania...this is a great city. your children will be fascinated by hong kong. and while no city is perfect...the safety and peace of mind you have while your children are out of your sight cannot be overrated.
hope you enjoy your visit this week.
with a budget of 200,000p.m. you will find a great home and neighbourhood.
yes, afterschool activities are part of our kids lives here.
as for making friends, i think you will. there are so many activities to join, and whether you are interested in exploring Hong Kong's hiking paths, history or shopping...there are like minded people here (FUN ONES!) who share your interests and introduce you to new ones.
my four year old son has asthma and we discourage him from playing sports on heavy pollution days, and the school nurse keeps his ventiltor in her office at all times in case he gets wheezy. his quality of life is very good here.
although i am not from texas, like me, you're coming from a land of horizontal "wide open spaces" to vertical mania...this is a great city. your children will be fascinated by hong kong. and while no city is perfect...the safety and peace of mind you have while your children are out of your sight cannot be overrated.
hope you enjoy your visit this week.
Thanks!
Thanks to those of you who replied.
I am hoping everything works out. We will be there this Thursday to look at schools and house hunting.
Just curious...can anyone tell me what their thoughts are on Discovery Bay vs. Stanley, Repulse Bay/TaiTam and/or Clearwater Bay? My husband will be working in Causeway Bay.
Thanks, again!!
Thanks to those of you who replied.
I am hoping everything works out. We will be there this Thursday to look at schools and house hunting.
Just curious...can anyone tell me what their thoughts are on Discovery Bay vs. Stanley, Repulse Bay/TaiTam and/or Clearwater Bay? My husband will be working in Causeway Bay.
Thanks, again!!
If you live in Clear Water Bay and your husband works in Causeway Bay - it's probably easiest for him to get to work on the MTR via Hang Hau - either he'd take a mini-bus, a bus, a cab, or you'd drive him to the station.
Then switch trains at North Point. Causeway bay is the 3rd train after that.
If he's driving (which I wouldn't recommend, traffic in Causeway Bay is a nightmare) then he'd take the Eastern Harbour tunnel.
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If you lived in Stanley - it would be either mini-bus, bus, or cab. There's no MTR service out there.
Here it looks as though there's a minibus directly from Stanley to Causeway Bay
http://www.td.gov.hk/transport_in_h...e/hong_kong_island_gmb_routes/hk_40/index.htm
- but beware, if you don't get on at the terminus then it might be hard to get picked up along the way.
Cab - you could probably make an arrangement w/ a cabby to regularly pick up your husband every morning for work. I have a neighbor who has such an arrangement for her son who lives in Sai Kung and attends GSIS.
Again, driving from Stanley to Causeway Bay might be an issue (stressful city driving) + parking - unless his company provides a driver and/or parking.
********
I have no idea about Tai Tam or Repulse Bay. I do think that some of the buildings/estates in Tai Tam have regular shuttle buses for their residents.
Then switch trains at North Point. Causeway bay is the 3rd train after that.
If he's driving (which I wouldn't recommend, traffic in Causeway Bay is a nightmare) then he'd take the Eastern Harbour tunnel.
*****************
If you lived in Stanley - it would be either mini-bus, bus, or cab. There's no MTR service out there.
Here it looks as though there's a minibus directly from Stanley to Causeway Bay
http://www.td.gov.hk/transport_in_h...e/hong_kong_island_gmb_routes/hk_40/index.htm
- but beware, if you don't get on at the terminus then it might be hard to get picked up along the way.
Cab - you could probably make an arrangement w/ a cabby to regularly pick up your husband every morning for work. I have a neighbor who has such an arrangement for her son who lives in Sai Kung and attends GSIS.
Again, driving from Stanley to Causeway Bay might be an issue (stressful city driving) + parking - unless his company provides a driver and/or parking.
********
I have no idea about Tai Tam or Repulse Bay. I do think that some of the buildings/estates in Tai Tam have regular shuttle buses for their residents.
rani
Administrator
Hi Texma
Having moved here myself from Australia about 2 weeks now, I understand your apprehension, but with your budget I am sure you will find something really nice.
We are still finding our feet since arriving here and one of the things you will notice is that everyone has a maid to look after the kids. We do not have a maid and I have a feeling that people think it is abit strange that I take care of our kids. We live in an apartment and I am not used to the idea of having a stranger live with us in such a small space.
I was initially keen to live in Sai Kung but my husband works in Central and it is quite a distance to travel everyday. I have heard good things about Discovery Bay and the air quality seems to be better as well.
We are currently thinking about enrolling the kids in sports. My husband is keen on mini rugby for our son, but does anyone know where they can take tennis lessons?
Good luck in finding a place and let us know how you are settling in once you are here.
Having moved here myself from Australia about 2 weeks now, I understand your apprehension, but with your budget I am sure you will find something really nice.
We are still finding our feet since arriving here and one of the things you will notice is that everyone has a maid to look after the kids. We do not have a maid and I have a feeling that people think it is abit strange that I take care of our kids. We live in an apartment and I am not used to the idea of having a stranger live with us in such a small space.
I was initially keen to live in Sai Kung but my husband works in Central and it is quite a distance to travel everyday. I have heard good things about Discovery Bay and the air quality seems to be better as well.
We are currently thinking about enrolling the kids in sports. My husband is keen on mini rugby for our son, but does anyone know where they can take tennis lessons?
Good luck in finding a place and let us know how you are settling in once you are here.