Is Mid-levels child friendly?!

[dancingmango]

We're moving to HK in a few weeks... we've narrowed a choice of apartments either in Causeway Bay, Happy Valley or Mid-Levels. With a four year old and an 18 month old would mid-levels be a stroller nightmare? Is there anything child friendly there (all I can remember is loads of bars in Soho)?

 

[bekyboo44]

I think you will find everywhere in HK is a stroller nightmare!!!! There are lots of steps, not a lot of pedestrian crossings, and buses that don't accomdate even the smallest of strollers.

Out of your three choices I would say CWB was the worst place to be with children....it has the worst recordings for air pollution in HK, is very congested with people and traffic and on weekends you can not move for the people there.

Happy Valley is much quieter....and you have the grass round the race course where you can take children to play, but the public transport in and out of Happy Valley isn't great, but this wouldn't be an issue if you plan to take taxis everywhere, or walk!

Mid-Levels can be ok for kids....if you choose an apartment in a building with facilities, i.e. a pool, playground, indoor playroom. There are plenty of people living in Mid-Levels with kids.

I personally wouldn't choose to live in either of those places with children....hence why we live in DB but we all want different things from the places we live!

 

[Hannah's Mom]

We live in Mid-levels and have for three years. I have a 4 year old and 8 month old (and no helper) and it really isn't that difficult. I actually like the convienience of being in Mid levels. I agree that most places are a bit of a nightmare with strollers here, but depending on where you are the buses are pretty good. (mini buses another story!)
The only thing I wish we had was a pool. But there are some good parks around that we end up at each day after school to get the energy out.
I agree with beckyboo44 that CWB would be the least child friendly!
Good luck with the move!

 

[mommy sara]

I also vote against CWB and Happy Valley is harder to get to unless you use taxis. We also live in Mid-Levels and love it. You can't beat the convienience, it's so fast to get anywhere. I can go and have lunch with my husband at a moment's notice. There are quite a few parks. Mid-Levels Central has more trees and is quieter but West has more shops, parks, schools, the escalator. DB is more like a resort area but you are dependent on the ferry, some people feel isolated there. Good luck!