[colleenfleisch]

I. Housing
We were planning on 8 weeks, but it might be MUCH MUCH longer (my husband tends to be vague). We were thinking about Parkview - we have a 3 y.o. and a 1 y.o. My mother-in-law lived in the Albany for 3 years and said between Parkside and Parkview, Parkview would be best. Is it? We are only interested in serviced apartments. We just got back from Shanghai Center and that was terrific although I have been told there is nothing like that in HK.

II. School
My 3 y.o. needs schooling. Do I go for the intl'l school at Parkview or a Mandarin school? I don't want to confuse him, but I would love for him to learn Mandarin.

III. Language Mandarin or Cantonese?
My husband and I would like to take a crash course - my husband is in finance and I assume most meetings would be in English. Should we study Mandarin? Can one get around with Mandarin?

IV. Ayi/Amah
We had a wonderful Filipina help us in SHanghai, her English was not great and I don't think she spoke any Chinese. Would I be better off with a Mandarin speaking helper or should I bring this girl down to HK? We fell in love with her, but I would like some more language in the house.

Thank you.

[Sleuth]

On the language thing, while some might be able to speak Mandarin, every local I have ever encountered (shop keepers, real estate agents, taxi cab drivers, hotel workers, restaurant workers) uses Cantonese. Don't think the Mandarin is necessary for you unless you are planning to head into China frequently.
Might want your child to have some Mandarin as it is likely to be more useful to your grown child than Cantonese will ever be. How many Cantonese langauge courses are offered in Kansas? How about Mandarin? It isn't like your child will become fluent in either language in 8 weeks, or 16 for that matter. Pick one he can continue back in the states.
Most domestic helpers in HK are from the Phillipines, so your Shanghai helper would fit right in. Bringing her across the border might be a different matter, though.

[colleenfleisch]

Thank you Sleuth!