[Matador]

We like both these places BUT it appears that DB has better kindergarten and elementary schools.

However, PI appears to be better value and newer...and cheaper on the ferry. My partner will be working in Central.

Any advice? Thanks

[Skyhook]

Disco bay is personally where I'd choose between the two. There's a large percentage of Aussies and Brits living in Disco Bay, quite a lot live on junks too, and personally, if you want a bit more of a left of centre community feel, disco bay will be a great place to live.

Your kids will love the beach there, and the flats are generally a lot bigger, once you compare "net" floor space.

[goleoboy]

i can only give my opinion of park island since we just moved here - (you can probably read other threads where I've commented on the place). if you want a peaceful, serene place to live PI is the place for you. or if you have pets, it's also perfect. i can't compare DB but have heard good things about it - (may check it out next year once our lease is up) BUT what we really love about PI is that there will not likely be any new construction / development of other estates around the island in the near future. altho some people may think the 'no car policy' is inconvenient, we kinda like it as it creates a feeling of exclusivity and the shuttles / ferries are amazingly frequent (esp if he works in central). PI is better tho if you can speak chinese as i've heard it's more local than DB. so it really depends on your lifestyle and what you're looking for. can't comment on the kindergartens - no kids here but see LOTS of english speaking kids around the island.

[krasykat]

Just moved to park island and we have two kids, 7 & 6. We love it here, the facilities are fantastic and there is heaps of room for the kids to run. We will both be working in HK island so our kids are going to an ESF school there. The only school on the island here is local. Haven't been to Dbay so can't comment but we fell in love with Park Island. I understand that PI is more compact than Dbay. More locals in PI than Dbay, but then that is why we moved to HK, to have a different experience. I would say it's best to visit both and then make your decision. I would definately recommend PI but everyone has different priorities. By the way there are heaps of kids here and there is a fantastic indoor playroom for the kids inside the Blue Blue club, most kids meet there daily and it is free to use for residents.

[goleoboy]

ditto, especially on gloomy smoggy days like these last couple of days, i feel like i'm heading back to a 'haven' away from the city when i get home - overlooking the tsing-ma bridge and the beach... not that PI can escape the smog, but the truly park-like setting at least makes up for it a bit. :-)

[goleoboy]

Also, you're right, not sure why having more 'locals' seems to be considered a bad thing... if you wanna surround yourself with expats, why even move here? It's like chinese people in LA just living in Monterey Park / Alhambra (chinese communities) and never leave... there's a large % who do, but they're missing out on discovering new cultures. Hk is much more than the mid-level / LKF scene i think.

[krasykat]

PI does seem to have a good mixture of cultures. We have met some really awesome people here and I know we are going to be really happy. The best thing about PI has to be the resort like feel. It feels like you are constantly on holiday. The kids love the pools and all the facilities. The facilities are top notch too. Really well maintained and rarely crowded.

[DanielandHayley]

I work in Central and live on Park Island, transport is very efficent, I usually take the bus to Tsing Yi then the orange line to central, takes 35mins if you dont have to wait for the train too long. I echo everything people have said about it being a great place to live with excellent new facilities, plus you do get more for your money.

I've never lived in DB but have visited friends a number of times and would't choose to live there, is too...well, western!

[goleoboy]

I need to check out DB to make a comparison, maybe when the sky clears up a bit heheh every time i go out, i can't WAIT to get home. right now I'm working at my home office at PI, overlooking the bridge and the shell plaza... 2 doggies sleeping next to me and seeing the ripple of the ocean... so peaceful. :-)) and you're right more for the $$ we're only paying 15k and has a very efficiently laid out apt over 1000sq ft.

one more thing, with PI, you know the contruction of new estates will be minimal, so chances of overcrowding in a few years time will not be as likely :-)

[goleoboy]

p.s. i'm not being paid by SHK :-) Although maybe they should hire us for PR!!