Argh! Where to live?

R

rooj

Registered User
A bit of a dilemma going on in our house at the moment. We've just recently moved to HK (although we did live here previously for 3 years but now we have a small child) and we are very undecided on where to live.

My husband is starting work at the HKCC (Wong Nai Chung Gap Road) so Happy Valley would be ideal but it is $$$$$ and we are looking to TTC number 2 so would ideally like 3 bedrooms. Other options that keep cropping up are Clearwater Bay/Sai Kung or a place called The Greenland in Sheung Shui/Wetland Park. The main worry is the commute into HK. My husband will be working weird hours and we're scared he'll end up not spending any time with us.

Just after some advice or experience.

Thanks
 
if he is working there, you would be utterly insane to live in sheung shui!

if you choose clearwater bay or sai kung, you might as well factor in the cost of a car.... and parking.... you might as well live in happy valley!

prices in sai kung are NOT cheap anymore...you'd be looking at $30k/month for a 1400' village house duplex.... if you're lucky!
 
What is your budget?

If Happy Valley is out of your budget, there are 2 others that could work for you:
1) Aberdeen/WongChukHang/SouthHorizons area -- very convenient with direct bus and minibus service to the club
2) TinHau/TaiHang areas - again, very convenient to the club

I would rather get a smaller place then be out in the places you mention. At peak hours, the commute to the club will be absolutely horrible. At non peak, they will just be terrible. No matter what, it will be unbearable and expensive.
 
For a while, I was going regularly to Sheung Shui. And it takes FOREVER from the city.
From Happy Valley, which has no MTR link, you'd somehow have to get to Hung Hom. You'd probably cab it to the Causeway Bay MTR, but even then, you'd probably have to change lines to get to Hung Hom, since it's not connected to any Hong Kong Island line.
From Hung Hom MTR, you'd have to walk over to the train (formerly known as the KCR) and that takes another 45 minutes to Sheung Shui.
And unless you live right at the train station, you'll still have to catch a mini-bus or cab.

There are many places that are not right in Happy Valley, but not quite as far as Sheung Shui -- which is right on the mainland Chinese border.
Howard's suggestions are good. For somewhere relatively close to H.V., but not quite as expensive, think about Island East -- Tin Hau, Tai Hang, North Point, Quarry Bay, Tai Koo, etc. At least it's cab-able if you're late.
Rents here have gone insane this year, particularly H.V.
 
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That said, North Point has gone surprisingly expensive, too. A friend was looking there recently. A 3 bedroom (1000-1300 square feet) can go for anywhere from 20,000-40,000 HK / mo.
 
You could look into properties in the N.T./Kowloon side that does direct morning bus routes to the Island to save time. The only unbearable commute would the one home going home.
 
I would look at Aberdeen / South Horizons too. The # 5 mini bus that passes HKCC.

Btw, is your husband the new sports Coach for the kids?
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. We're going to hold off our plans for a few months and see what happens but looks like it will be HK island for now. Rani, I think so :) That's not his job title but I'm sure that will be a big part of his job.
 
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