What would it be like to live in NT? Perhaps Sai Kung, Tai Po or Hong Lok Yuen?

We have 3 kids and are looking for both an international school as well as something of an expat community. My husband is working in ShaTin, but will be going to Shenzhen about once a week. I hate feeling stuck or isolated. Could we easily live without a car? Coming from the States, I am so excited to free myself from my four wheel, seven seat prison! Besides, frankly I am scared to drive on the other side. I am a terrible driver to begin with...

How would Hong Lok Yuen School work? I need to be able to walk to a market and some shops. Also, we need to have friends around. What would it be like living up there? Is it true that NT has no soul? Would our family be lonely? How do you meet people? How would my husband get to work?

Thanks,
H

Perhaps, next year I will be the one answeing all of these annoying questions!

[Pekkerhead]

Hong Lok Yuen is a about as close as you get to a proper suburban estate in HK, what I mean is apart from some apartments around the centre (it's a small centre but has a big Park N Shop and a clubhouse) it is mainly houses of different shapes and sizes - so very appealing to those not wanting apartment life.

The big houses are expensive though and usually sell for anything between 10 and 25 million HK. But you will get tonnes of room, a garden and a pool. Don't know about rentals, best bet is to go there and speak to the agents placed in the centre. They all speak English, as do most of the people who live in HLY - the place is extremely affluent and as such attracts wealthy people from all over.

The nearest KCR station is Tai Wo, and you will either catch a minibus, taxi or double decker to get there. Minibus or taxi is more convenient as the large buses do not enter the estate but stop at the main road sitauted by the entrance to HLY. If you walk it it is about 1.5 miles from the main entrance road to the estate. You can walk but it isn't the safest routes as the buses tank it down the road at astonishing speed.

From Tai Wo KCR you are looking at about a 15 to 20 minute train journey to Sha Tin.

HLY is full of westerners, so no problem meeting anyone, plus the clubhouse acts as a local meeting place as well as providing recreation facilities. I can't imagine there would be any isse with you meeting new friends.

It is also situated at the entrance to Lam Tsuen country park which has some of the best spots for sightseeing in the NT if you love big mountains and some nice hiking. However, it is not the most convenient place for your reuquirements.

Tai Po is my favourite place ( not just cause I live here). However, in terms of accomodation you won't find the large houses that are available in HLY unless you move into the Wun Yiu valley and get a place such as in JC Castle (built by Jackie Chan), which may appeal - but again top dollar, very much like HLY. You will get a large apartment in a managed block (such as the Paragon or Grand Palisades) for your budget - easily, these places have clubhouses also with gym, pools, etc. Both of these places are a sweaty 10 minute uphill walk from Tai Po Market KCR. But obviously these kind of places have shuttles that run to and from the station for the cost of about 2 dollars. Tai Po KCR is about 10 to 15 mins from Sha Tin.

For somewhere a bit more interesting (and closer to Sha Tin) you may want to try the area around Tai Po old road - it has some really nice apartment blocks such as Deerhill Bay (built by Li Ka Shing) and others. It is also a very short minibus drive away from Sha Tin town centre which takes about 15 mins from there. However I can't comment on the social life although the CUHK is also just around the corner as well the the Japanese International school (want your kids to learn japanese?).

If you need recommendations for a good english speaking agent in Tai Po then feel free to PM me.

Sai Kung is nice but not so convenient. Majority of housing there is village houses but there are some nice developments. One of the appeals is of course being on the coast and it is very popular with westerners. I go diving around there myself and you are right next to some of the best coastline in the territory. Only problem with Sai Kung is that it is about a 45 minute bus journey to Sha Tin (bus 299). However, if you are an outdoorsy type and love BBQ and a nice sea breeze then it may be for you. I would say that Sai Kung town centre isn't the most attractive of places but it is very functional and has a vast array of eateries esp seafood of course, and the surrounding countryside makes up for everything else.

Who said the NT has no soul? I guess it depends where you go as the place is huge. However, above mentioned places - very nice.

[Sleuth]

When we looked in Hong Lok Yuen there was a lot to rent in the $40-$60K range. I know someone who lives there and he probably has 3,000 square feet, a pool (closer to a lap pool) for $60K, I believe. He uses his car to get around all the timke, though.

I am excited about not having a car. I was thinking about HLY because of all this school stress. I thought perhaps the Int'l school there would be easier to get into. The suburban thing sounds pretty grim.

I am leaning towards Kowloon Tong now. I am coming to find an apartment and school in 3 weeks. Perhaps, someone wants to suggest some good places to look. Is Kowloon Tong or Beacon Hill walkable? Are there shops or restaurants? Clubs to join?

I am feeling like a neurotic broken record.

[Sleuth]

You're not neurotic. If we had tried to do what you are doing in the same time span, we would have been the same way.
One Beacon Hill is nice (going to need around $50K/month, give-or-take); Parc Palais is also nice and costs maybe 10% less. One Beacon Hill is closer to the MTR/KCR and the mall (Festival Walk).

I am driving my friends here crazy. I have actually heard about vacancies at a few more schools such as Yew Chung and Delia School. I think these are both Christian, but I am actually keeping an open mind! I went to Catholic school in grade 7 and am okay.

Thanks for all of your support!

[Sleuth]

Your friends are staying in the US and they know where they are living, what schools they are going to, etc.... What you are doing is taking a chance or going on an adventure, How many people do you know who would even consider doing what you are doing?

[skip]

Inprov, have you looked at Ma On Shan yet.

Theres plenty accomadation here and for the right price.
Horizon Suite Hotel has a great in house bus service that goes directly to Shatin and is only 25min from Kowloon Tong for schools and only 20min from Tai Po.

Plenty of fresher air here, great park for kids and right on the water.

[AsiaTraveller]

Improv,

Hong Lok Yuen is like your typical affluent suburbian neighbourhood that you well find in many cities across America. Whilst Kowloon Tong would be more similar to living in lower Manhatten, with all your shops, restaurants, bars, amenities, nightlife and a good transport system close by.

It really depends on what your looking for as they are both worlds apart. I suggest that you come here and have a good look around for yourself to get a feel for the place. You will know straight away what im talking about, but the good news is that if your coming from the States, you will not find NT souless.

[hhhhiew@msn.com]

Hi,
Have you settled down yet? If not, there is a quiet 3-bedroom flat 945 sf with a garden in Grand Palisades, 5 minutes from Tai Po Market KCR. If you are interested, pls let me know.
Regards,
Hubert