[logans]

We are moving to HK in September with 2 small kids (3 years old and 6 months old). My husband will be working near the North Point MTR station.

Ideally we'd like to have a house with a garden, we have a budget of around $75,000. I have been told Clearwater Bay is nice.

Does anyone have any idea how long it takes to get to the MTR from there?
Are there lot's of expats there?
Are there activies for pre-schoolers there?
Any other suggestions of where we could get a garden for that price?

Thanks heaps
Kate

[carang]

you can get an absolutely beautiful place in clearwater bay/sai kung for that!

lots of expats
some activities for pre-schoolers (you'll need a car though, or else it may be a royal pain in the b*tt to get around from there with kids)

we've spent the last 6+ years in Discovery Bay, which we absolutely love, but will move to Sai Kung in August. our budget is 1/4 of yours but we still got a 2100' house with 5 bed, 4 bath, 2 balconies, garden and rooftop terrace for our budget!

for your budget you can get at LEAST what we got. you should be able to get a house that is in a gated community and as such will have other facilities like pool, possibly tennis court, etc.)

good luck! you'll love it!

[PC_Man]

Clearwaterbay is a v nice area and will have no probs getting a decent house with garden and plenty of space on your budget.

Lots of expats in the area - lots with pets and children.

Pre-school - ther's an English speaking pre-school there called Abacus (part of the ESF group) - sl more expensive than many other pre-schools but medium is totally English.
Lots of other activities a little further away in Sai Kung as well (football schools, art, playgroups etc).

Distance to MTR - probably 5-10 mins drive and they have park and ride at the nearest MTR.
Can get minibus from Clearwaterbay Rd down to MTR but often the houses can be a fair hike from the main rd.
Probably best to drive/have a car if live there.

[logans]

Thanks for the info... I guess we'll see what is available when we arrive.

PC Man do you know the link for Abacus pre-school? I can't seem to find their website when I search on Google.

BTW any suggestions for how we can find a second hand car without being ripped off?

[timklip]

Here's the site for Abacus (and all the other ESF schools)

http://www.esf.edu.hk/index.aspx?nodeID=965&langNo=1

Try this one too...

http://www.esf.org.hk/esf_kindergarten/index.htm

[PC_Man]

Re - 2nd hand car - few places just as come into Sai Kung town.

Don't have a recommendation as to which is best but they are all beside each other I think so can probably walk around them in turn.

[Vodkalicious]

dISCOVERY bay and Sai kung are areas to look out for .. good luck

[wtbhotia]

Originally Posted by logans

We are moving to HK in September with 2 small kids (3 years old and 6 months old). My husband will be working near the North Point MTR station.

Ideally we'd like to have a house with a garden, we have a budget of around $75,000. I have been told Clearwater Bay is nice.

Does anyone have any idea how long it takes to get to the MTR from there?
Are there lot's of expats there?
Are there activies for pre-schoolers there?
Any other suggestions of where we could get a garden for that price?

Thanks heaps
Kate

for that amount you will get a massive place in clearwater bay, i also live in cwb and for my 3 bdr house with large fenced of garden i only pay 6,300. 5 min walking distance from Abacus. check out these websites and search around.

http://www.gohome.com.hk/english/home.asp?
http://www.bmc-id.com/bmcp/en/index.asp
http://saikungproperty.com/
http://www.saikungrealty.com/index.php?charset=big5

[logans]

I forgot to ask what are the medical facilities like in cwb?
How far to the nearest private or public hospital in case of an emergency?
What about a pediatrician for the kids?

[PC_Man]

Tseung Kwan O hospital is minutes away from Clearwaterbay in car and has a paediatric ward that has been very good with my kids.

Unlike busier hospitals (it's a govt hosp by the way), you can visit and stay at any time of the day.

Also had surgery there myself last year for appendix and was back in work in less than a week (not their recommendation but a man's gotta eat...)

Don't know if there are GPs nearby but there are several good doctors in Sai Kung town if you can't find a GP nearer.