Mid-levels or Southside with regards to air pollution

M

Momz

New member
Hi, we are moving to HK at the end of Oct and were in HK last week to view apartments (all over - the south, Pokfulam, Peak and Mid-levels). I have a 14-month old and am trying to do a bit of research on which areas are better in terms of air quality. We have short-listed Dynasty Court on Old Peak Rd (Mid-Levels Central) although I'm not sure if being on the northern side is worse in terms of air pollution? Any advice from your experiences are most appreciated, thanks!

PS: Also looking forward to meeting other moms and toddlers for playgroups!
 
another thing to consider when you choose your apartment is what it might be like day to day if you have a second child. I didn't consider this when we first moved to HK and found our apartment complex completely inaccessible after I had my second. We ended up moving as a result.
just thought i'd throw it out there to save you the same mistake I made.

can't really comment on the pollution unfortunately. we live on the southside for the extra space and less street -level pollution due to cars and buses but i have been shocked how polluted the southside can be outside of the summer months.
 
For me the pollution seems less noticeable in Pokfulam than it was in our previous place in the mid-levels (that is not to say it is actually less and the air quality is better, I just notice it less). We are on the hill in one of only a few high rises in the area so we catch strong breezes and there is a lot of open space around the building.

The other advantage of the move has been the stroller friendly wide streets down to a local supermarket with good organic / western ranges, open spaces for toddlers to run around (Cyberport, a local park) and 2 indoor playrooms a short bus ride away (wise kids and playtown).

We are still close enough for me to commute easily into central (albeit by taxi at a cost as the public transport links are not brilliant or quick).
 
Thanks for your replies, ladies. I do realise the hilly roads of Mid-levels are not walkable with a stroller. Good point about the no. 2, I do plan to start on that after we settle in HK. The main reason we are inclined towards Mid-levels is simply due to the proximity to my husband's workplace (IFC2).

Aussie mum: Which area did you used to stay? Was it Mid-levels too?

Aussie Mom
 
I work in IFC2 also and the commute was 10-15 mins from mid levels (a bit farther west than Dynasty) because of the mid levels heavy traffic.

It's 20 mins, 15 on a good day because it's highway all the way from where we are in Pokfulam direct to the back of the IFC2 office building.
 
It's worth noting that a number of the apartment complexes have shuttle busses that take you into Central at regular intervals in the morning (e.g. Parkview and many others). Others here will know more about this, but the busses are very convenient and this could expand your search area.
 
Thanks!

Looks like we'll be sticking with Old Peak Road at Mid-Levels Central after all. So now I need to get round to searching for pre-school and playgroup options. Any leads?

I heard that even for kindergarten, the waiting list is long and you have to register 2 years earlier or something like that (??!!!) Any truth in that? My pumpkin is 14 months old now, sounds like I'm too late!
 
wow! old peak road... have you been there? it is VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY steep. i would think it near impossible with a stroller. you will end up shuttle busing (if available) or taxi-ing it everywhere...

honestly, flats can be nice in the area, but as a mother of 2, i would NEVER choose to live there. i hope you find it to your liking. (i'm sure others will disagree with me completely!)
 
sorry, i just saw that you were there to view the flat already... so please ignore my posting.

good luck!
 
Hi, not sure if you would consider Kowloon West?

We just moved over here from Mid-levels as my office is at ICC, and we needed a bigger apartment for the bub. I love it here so much that it would be hard for me to move back to Central (am a convert, was initially reluctant to move to Kowloon) :) We are on a very high floor unit so the air is better here, and the compound is also very spacious and there aren't many cars around (and no buses). I find this area a lot more child friendly than Central. It's also just a subway stop away from IFC, completely covered via the Elements mall. There is also a Three Sixy in Elements and it sells a good range of organic food.

Not sure about schooling, though it's something I do need to look into as the baby grows.
 
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