Moving to Hong Kong in January with a baby

M

Margaret09

Registered User
Hi
My husband and I are due to relocate to Hong Kong in January. Our first baby is due in Sept 09.
He (my husband not the baby!!!) will be working in the civic building which I believe is in the central area.

We are in the process of looking at areas to live in... Our priorities are that we are in an area where there are other mothers with young babies and that there is some social support groups etc

Secondly, that my husband commute is reasonable.

Thirdly, that we are not in high rise if possible and somewhat away from areas that are very crowded

All suggestions will be hugely appreciated

Many thanks
Margaret
 
i would STRONGLY suggest discovery bay, although you make no mention of budget. budget will determine a lot...

db is a very friendly neighbourhood that has direct access to central via fast ferry. hubby will always get a seat in a comfortable, air-conditioned ferry. the trip takes 25-30 minutes. you get to miss sitting in traffic jams during morning rush hour!

db has a HUGE community of families, with many playgroups, art classes, dance studios, club houses etc. depending on your budget, you could possibly get a lowrise with a small garden or rooftop terrace.
 
Another suggestion is to live in the southern part of HK island (Repulse bay, Stanley area). You have the access to the beach and mountains, and you can easily go to the city if you have to by public transportation or private car. Carang is right about your budget...it's a factor to where you want to live in. Good luck!


Michelle
Baby, Children, Maternity and Family photographer
Welcome to Garthe Photo Arts, Hong Kong
 
hi margaret, i live in happy valley (upper) area and form what i see it matches all yr priorities....this area abounds in young famlies, we have 3 playgrounds and one indoor play area plus library and a convineint wet market i.e. where u get all fresh meats plus the 2 superstores are convinient too. i have 2 small children and have never faced any damgerous elements out here....the neighbourhood is quiet and comfortable, people friendly, and the commute to central is 15 mins by cab or 30 mins by bus.....there are no houses as such to be rented here only apartments but the higher u go in happy valley the view form the flats is fantastic.....give it a try.,
 
there are very few "dangerous elements" anywhere in hk....perhaps sham shui po or mongkok at 3am...but even then, i've never had a problem.
 
I too find HK very safe. Especially in comparison to Australia where I grew up. In fact, I am a little concerned about my kids growing up in HK because they will need very different street smarts when we return to Australia!
 
hi there
Although South Horizons in Ap Lei Chau is a high rise condo-style development, the seaside promenade and playgrounds in the area are a plus. Plus you could take strolls with the baby and have pretty good views. If DB and Stanley areas are a bit pricey for you, you might consider South Horizons. We like it here for it's calmer pace. Good luck!
 
My vote would be for Pok Fu Lam - lots of low rise buildings, open views, wide streets that are good for strollers, a well stocked supermarket, kids playroom and grassy areas. Plus a 15 min commute into central.
 
so, as you see, without any idea of budget, it is very hard to recommend anywhere. besides, we all have our 'comfort' level and it really depends on you and your family's comfort level as to where you will want to live.

the best thing to do is to stay in a serviced apartment for a month or so, so that you can have a look around at hte different areas and see where you feel the most comforatable.
 
Hi

Agree with the suggestion to get a serviced apartment and have a look around. I never would have considered DB at all until I had a baby and now we are seriously considering it (it is a bit Stepford Wives for me) only because it is so child-friendly. On the commute from DB, yes the ferry is 25 mins but you still have to get to the ferry from your apartment which generally means a bus trip too. If your husband's work is near the ferry pier in HK then at least the other transport will only be at the DB end. Friends who live at the other end of DB from the ferry/plaza allow an hour to get to HK central.

Pok Fu Lam is nice too. People rave about the Bel Air complex which you can probably google to see pictures of apartments and facilities. Given it it so hot in HK in Summer, somewhere which has an indoor playarea and a pool are now high on my list when apartment hunting (oh how things change with a baby!!).

Good luck with the move.

SB2
 
i lived there for 6 years, used to work in sheung wan and have a bus trip at the before getting on the ferry... i NEVER planned 1 hour as a matter of fact, i had an ipod video, from the moment i left home, until i walked in the door at work, it took exactly 42 minutes... i know because it was one entire episode of CSI (LOL)
 
Thank you all for your enthusiastic & informative replies....
Our budget is 100,000 HK dollars max.
I think we are narrowing it down to either Stanley Bay or Discovery Bay areas - property availability permitting.
I will also be an older first time mum (42) and have worked as a nurse for the past 25years, so although I enjoy social events very much I'm also interested in doing something for me in the future (once settled). Maybe work 1 or 2 days a week or go back to university to do some more study?? These of course are all random thoughts but I think a suitable location will be a great starting place
Thanks again for all the replies - keep them coming!!
Margaret
 
holy moly! with that kind of budget, you can live ANYWHERE in hk!!! i wish i had a 1/4 of that!
 
My husband is older & therefore more senior so that's one the perks of age I suppose!!
I'm very down to earth and meeting similar minded people who enjoy a chat, coffee & a laugh is my priority
 
like i said, with your budget, you really can live ANYWHERE.

i would strongly suggest you come and stay in a serviced flat for a while to get your bearings. go over to DB a few times to see what the ride really is like... go to stanley by public transport (unless you will be getting a car ~ not for use in db) to see if it is something you would not mind doing.

when are you due? oh, and welcome to hk!
 
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