Districts of Kowloon

T

temajie

Registered User
Hello everyone,
I am still figuring out where we should settle in Kowloon. We want to be in a place close to parks, kindergartens, supermarkets, metro/bus station and not too crowdy and noisy. We were also thinking it would be nice to live close to the harbour/beach (we are not used to very urban life).
What are your suggestions?
Are there very nice districts in Kowloon to live in and some to avoid?
Someone advised me to consider Laguna Verde in Hung Hom, any other idea?
Thanks
 
next to the harbour and next to the beach are two VERY different things.

from the sounds of thingss, you need to forget kowloon and look at the new territories: discovery bay or sai kung sound like they'd be right up your alley.
 
Except for the 'urban' part, Kowloon Tong seems to be THE place to go if you're into kindergartens. I've met locals here in Tsuen Wan who are moving there just to be close to decent schools. Of course they have all other shopping amenities that you would expect and it's kind of in the centre of Kowloon so very tranport accessible. But it's not near any water.
Hung Hom is VERY urban and very busy, though very centrally located especially for going to HK Island.
Gold Coast in New Territories is nice and close to beaches. There are shuttles into TST and some other major working places, but all in all, it's a bit removed from the other areas. It's not near an MTR, it's just on a highway and you would have to take buses to go anywhere, - the Gold Coast area itself is very small - it doesn't have any sort of town centre (you'd have to go into Tuen Mun) - and is a bit resorty-feeling. But not a bad place at all.
A lot of foreigners seem to migrate towards Discovery Bay, but it's not accessible (easily) to Kowloon (assuming you or your partner will work there?) in any way.
 
yes, kowloon tong is an option, but it still comes down to budget and what they want to get for the money they spend....

also, on a note about DB, it IS accessible to kowloon, just get the bus to sunny bay and hop on the train...
 
Thanks for your answers.
I am not considering DB because it is kind of isolated to me, too far from Kowloon. Gold coast is also too removed for me. The more I read the more I find it difficult to satisfy all my criteria :) I am probably too idealistic when I say I would like to live in a quiet area but close to Kowloon crowdy city center...
Is Kowloon Tong that expensive? I try to keep my budget as high as possible because I'd like good standard apartment with nice facilities for my kids (playground, pool) but cannot go over $25000 for a 3 bedroom. May be in my dreams :(
I was (and still am) considering Hung Hom because of the location and facilities and I know there are a few kindergartens too, but I did not know it was crowdy. As far as I remember, Central area was much more crowdy and "kid unfriendly" than Kowloon, but I may be wrong.
Are there playgrounds and nice things to do with kids in Kowloon Tong? For example, my daughter would love little tutu (ballet) classes, do you think I can find some easily walking distance from Kowloon Tong. This kind of things.
Thanks
 
hung hom is quite child friendly but we try to avoid going there during the weekends (yes it's quite crowded).
i think hung hom is more convenient compared to kowloon tong but that's just me.
 
yes, i'm sure you will find those things in kowloon tong.

virtually all of hk & kowloon are crowded.

you need to choose:
close to the action
or
away from the action

also, $25k is not a huge budget, so your choice will be limited.
 
I think you'll be fine with a 25K budget for a 3 bedroom. Seems a lot of the foreigners on this board are spending more than that or living in bigger places, but 25K is enough for a regular sized 800-900sqft flat. They just take some getting used to for size.
 
Thanks again. I am sure it will be much easier once there. For the moment, Kowloon districts are just names on paper, I have no idea of which ones fit more my lifestyle.
 
jennifer, i agree that $25k is nothing to sneeze at (i've NEVER paid that much)... but compared to some expats, it's not a lot. i know people paying well over $100k/month (TOTALLY insane unless company is paying for it!)

for areas like kowloong tong it might not get you as big of a place as somewhere further afield was the point i was trying to make and not doing a very good job of it.

also, not knowing what the OP is coming from it could be a VERY difficult transition if they are used to a big house with garden etc. to move into an 800' flat, which in actual fact is closer to 650' when common areas are deducted.
 
Try:

1. Tsing Yi - Harbour View. ESF Tsing Yi. Learning Habitat - if you are looking for a bilingual kindie. International School buses also pick up at the bus station of Maritime Square. Apartment size about 1000 sq ft to 1300 sq ft. for your budget. Tsing Yi Park is great for the kids as is the waterfront promenade which is littered with playgrounds. And, a shopping mall for whatever daily basics you need.
2. Olympic Station - Lots of apartments with Harbour View. Smaller sized apartments because it is closer to the city. Lots of international school pick-ups too from that area. Not as green as Tsing Yi.
3. Sai Kung/Hong Lok Yuen if you don't mind the commute. Hong Lok Yuen has it's own international school. JIS is also round the corner. Lots of green in Sai Kung. Both areas are better if you own a car.
4. There is always Park Island which is better in terms of provision of transport as not only is there a ferry to Central, there is also a shuttle to Kwai Fong and Tsing Yi. Cheaper alternative to DB (though not always). Also known as Dog island as lots of dog owners there. Facilities are great.
 
I'm in Cheung Sha Wan / Lai Chi Kok [estates are Pacifica, Liberte..] , not a very 'popular' expat place, i've see a few around, but a few huge estates probably matching your budget. It's NOT a Class A area, but we've been very happy with the convenience, shopping right downstairs and the nice facilities. Other thing also is that it should also fall around your budget.
 
Cara - hey, if you know someone with a 100K+ place, can you get me a playdate? Sheeeeesh, cannot imagine that place!!! WOW!

Re: Lai Chi Kok - my friends live near LCK station (Banyan Garden - very nice apartments, normal HK size, FAB clubhouse), but I have to say I hate going there because LCK station has NO escalator or elevator and you have to walk up stairs, which is an absolute nightmare with the stroller and waiting around for no one to offer help. They're building a covered walkway to the apt complexes (to be completed this summer but I would doubt it) and I would PRAY that they will include an elevator from LCK station in the plans, but...who knows. Just FYI...

Oh, also Kowloon Station has lots of nice apartments there(on top of Elements mall), but I think some are a bit pricey, thought you still might be able to meet your 25K budget.
 
i know a few people, some local, some expat with MASSIVE places... like over 5000'!

a local family for whom i used to teach live in stanley, about 10 minutes walk from the market. view overlooking the beach, stand alone house. private swimming pool that wraps around 2 sides of the house. carparks for 4...of which they have one ferrari and one porsche PLUS a porsche MPV....

another is an expat family...they live in DB, have a 5168' house with about 4000' garden (don't know exact dimensions)... at the time, they were paying $75k (it was SARS and they got a "good deal" as it was the same as the guy's housing allowance.)... THEN hubby quit his job and they were stuck paying that rent for another 6-8 months out of their savings! (can't imagine having that much in savings!!!!!)
 
yes.. would agree that LCK station is a pain for strollers.. tho the covered walkways looks quite close to completion. they say end July on the construction signs, but i guess they just change it whenever they want :p.. but from the looks I would say August looks promising.
however, my kids are old enough so we don't use strollers anymore. by public transportation or by car around 20 minutes to anywhere around central Kowloon (7 minutes by car to Kowloon station).. so I'll still vouch for the convenience
 
We moved to Laguna Verde in May and we LOVE it! Our girls are 2 & 3. Hutchinson Park is across the street. (Terrapins, gold fish, trees and play park) Beautiful park to have lunch at. Fishermans Wharf is next door ( Park'n'Shop, Dry Cleaners, 7 eleven) Some apts have sea view. Path along the waterfront has numerous play parks. Laguna Verde has its on club house. Shopping at Whampoa is very close (less than 10mins walking with a 3 yr old.) 10 mins walk to ferry terminal. Lots of kindergartens around too.I really like where we live. Everyone is so friendly and patient with our girls. (they are at the stage of wanting to talk to EVERYONE) We went to Clear Water Bay at the weekend, beautiful clear water, clean beach with changing facilities, shop etc But I still prefer to live closer to 'town. Good Luck!
 
Last edited:
Thanks again for your replies.
I think I would rather keep close to the city too, but the problem is to find something in my budget now.
 
Hello everyone!

We're also ending up with LV (hopefully will move in Oct-Nov).

TTong, our son is 2.7 now. Did you manage to enroll your children to any kindergarten? Which one did you choose? Was it hard? Any queues? I can not imagine how should we make it happen in Oct-Nov when all the kindies are full....

Thank you!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top