[PC_Man]

For clearwaterbay v Sai Kung, 1st thing to ask is will you be driving?

If yes then can look more at other issues - if no then you want to be in Sai Kung really.

Sai Kung is not a big city - never understood why it's called SK city as would only just class as small town or big village really....

Kindergarten/school - there's an ESF facility in Clearwaterbay at both kiny and primary level. Good reputation - most of the western kids in the area go there but also from Sai Kung as well as Clearwaterbay.
If more daring there are more in Sai Kung that are more Chinese in intake and curiculum (long termer here so putting my kids through one of these but have ESF in mind if language becomes an issue - my eldest isn't 3 yet though...)

Don't drive so don't know the times from CWB to SK but would estimate a good 15-20 minutes.

[snowocean]

Thanks to all, appreciate it.

A place in CWB may open up, hence my interests in issues facing Sai Kung vs CWB. My son would be attending a school in Shek Mun, Shatin, and husband works in Quarry bay, so CWB seems quite a good choice. The last time I was in SK, we drove from SK town to Hang Hau which didnt seem to take 30 minutes. if it's a short distance away, then it's worhthile to stay in CWB but shop in SK town which has great grocery shopping/restaurants.

[snowocean]

One more thing...since Wing Lung Road is minutes away from the Hang Hau station, it woudlnt matter much if there are not as many mini buses as in SK, no? I was told there are buses going to Kowloon Tong near the Ocean View Lodge area...I may be wrong...

[FlashAha]

To be honest, unless you have a car (and take into account the running costs and trying to find somewhere to park) you're best off staying very close to the town centre, mainly because it's the terminal stop for most of the buses. If you decide to live along Clearwater Bay Road, then by the time the minibuses get to you, they will be full and just whizz by you, especially at peak travelling time. Sai Kung town is very convenient but still retains an air of openness.

Clearwater Bay is fine, provided you have your own transport and remember, it gets very hot and humid by May. You may not want to be trekking up and down hills and fending off mosquitos.

If your child is going to Shek Mun, then CWB is not that convenient.

There is also a minibus service which runs between Wan Chai and Sai Kung but only in the evenings (6pm till 1am)

[Global kid]

I live in Wing Lung Road. It will take around 10-15 minutes from Wing Lung Road to Sai Kung town centre. If it takes longer, it will probably be due to congestion in Sai Kung town rather than CB area.

From Wing Lung Road to Hang Hau, which is the nearest underground station, it takes around 5-7 minutes and by taxi it costs around HKD20. A lot of people park their car near the underground station as there is a park & ride facility there at a very reasonable price.

From CB (including Wing Lung Road) to Central, one needs to take the Eastern Tunnel and it will take 20minutes and traffic is always good, even at peak times.

CB is not a town like Sai Kung, I see it more a tranquil place. You will have the basic facilities such as a supermarket, pet shop closeby. And for those with corporate membership, there is the Clearwater Bay Club down the road.

Sai Kung town on the other hand, is a tourist spot with very crowded weekends. This means traffic can be a problem, which is not helped by the fact that it has a single file road going in and out of the town.

I concur with pianokc that Wing Lung Road is better for transportation if you are driving. But I guess that most people who live in the area will have a car anyway.

If I need to choose again, definitely CB. This is my personal opinion.

[bq8888]

May I advise one more choice which is Pik Uk area on Clearwater Bay Road, it is located 10 mins driving distant from Choi Hung MTR and it is also convenience to go to the studio area, and a Welcome supermarket is there too.

[Mrs. Nora Wan]

It takes 15 minutes off peak hours.

Check the route from " google map " before going and you'll have a clear picture in mind.

[wtbhotia]

I recommend live in clear Water bay than sai kung town, sai kung town road is not good and due to lots of road works it become a nightmare to get there. I live in Mang Kung Uk 5 mins from the studio's, their is a 2 floor Park N Shop which is mostly catered to the Expat Community, Also close by is an ESF childrens school. I think its called Abacus something like that.

[muddykins]

i live between both of them and it's awesome. =3 Tai Po Tsai Village - it's right next to the HKUST and is pretty much in the middle.

the best thing about living near the UST is that you get to abuse it's facilities - playgrounds, a supermarket [small but closeby], a food court, a really big field, a library, etc etc. In the village itself theres a playground, a basketball court and football pitch [training ground for Sai Kung Stingrays rugby team].

the schools that are nearby are Abacus Kindergarten, about 5-10 minutes drive/bus away, and Clearwater Bay School, which is in walking distance, and coincidentally Shaw Studios is right next to it. the Clearwater Bay Film Studio is, again, 5 minutes down the road towards Hang Hau.

most of the houses are village houses, so they're perfect for families that don't want anything too huge. there isn't much pollution or traffic, and theres brilliant transport going both ways - to Sai Kung, Choi Hung, Tseung Kwan O, Hang Hau and Po Lam.

/propaganda.

[NCE]

Originally Posted by timnat

We are moving from the UK to HK in October. My husband will be based mostly at the film studios in the Clearwater Bay area and at other times in Kowloon. We have a son who will be 3 by the time we move. I will not intially be working, though may do so later on.

I would really appreciate advice on where we should look to live. Clearwater Bay seems the obvious choice as it will be close to my husband's main place of work but it is important that we are in an area that has a sense of community and where I will be able to meet people and make friends as I fear isolation! Would Sai Kung be better or is there somewhere else we should be looking? Also need to be close to nursery and junior schools that follow a British curriculum as we will be returning to the UK at some point.

There is a good ex pat community in the Clear Water Bay area, in particular Sheung Sze Wan or Hang Hau. Both are near to the film studios. Rents still reasonable in the area although not much available. Many HK island residents looking at the area as rents pushing up on the island, more ex pats looking for value for money in the area. Good agent in the area is Teresa at Paragon Realty. Clear Water Bay is a nice beachside location with a variety of properties, you can rent house with garden, or pool, or apartment. Most ex pats go for a standard 2100sq ft village house. There are supermarkets nearby and a very good butcher! Local schools following British curriculum include ESF Abacus International Kindergarten
Lot 954 DD 243, Mang Kung Uk Village Road
Clearwater Bay, New Territories
Hong Kong
Tel (852) 2719 5712
Fax (852) 2719 6690
abkinder@esf.org.hk | abadmissions@esf.org.hk
Principal: Heather Hill
This kindergarten feeds the local ESF local primary school where children go when turning 5 years. Get in touch with Abacus ASAP as you will need to register.
You won't be isolated in CWB as there are many expats here and it's very easy to make friends through children and playgroups. We only moved here at Easter and have found it very easy. It takes approximately 25 mins with no traffic to reach the city centre from here. There is also an underground train station less than 10 mins drive from CWB, called Hang Hau. It really depends what type of accomodation you are looking for and your housing budget. If you think you would like a house with some outdoor space near the beach then Clear Water Bay would be good, rents vary typically for 2100 sq ft village house would be 40-80k. If you want to be on the island, the same type of house would cost 120k upwards.

Good luck!