[pnicky]

Thanks for all the advice. My husband will be working in Central. Just wondering how easy it is to go out and meet friends there in the evening from Repulse Bay and how easy it is to get back there at night - are taxi's happy to make that trip? Do people who llive in REpulse Bay base their social life in this are or do they head off to other areas?Thanks Know it all about the Pokfulam suggestion - what is there for kids to do in this area and are there any open spaces? Also on this note - how do most expat mums with toddlers fill their days?? I hate to be bored at home with screaming kids!!!

[canuckinhk]

I live in RB and have never been refused by a taxi driver, day or night. Without traffic, its about 15 minutes into town... that's WITHOUT traffic. Sometimes the tunnel gets backed up, then of course it takes longer. Lots of people who live down here regularly go into town for dinner/drinks... its not a hassle. of course, this all depends on what you're used to. if you live in a big city now, you may find it inconvenient to be 'out of the loop'.
there's always Stanley that's close by too. there are some lively pubs and restaurants there.
i would avoid the temptation to be too close to the action, like the midlevels. the pollution can be pretty bad there due to the 'canyon effect'.

i don't have toddlers, but it seems to me that a lot of mums join playgroups and enroll preschool kids in activities (art class, ballet etc). kids tend to start preschool quite early... starting at 2 to 2 1/2 years old.

welcome to hk, i hope you enjoy it!

[pnicky]

I have just been told about Shouson hill as another option - any info on this area and suitability for a young family?

[hello_there]

Originally Posted by pnicky

I have just been told about Shouson hill as another option - any info on this area and suitability for a young family?

Its very nice, green, sea views, quiet, etc. We were there for a while. It might be better for slightly older children (lots of HKIS kids around) because its a bit more isolated (but not bad) than Repulse Bay or Stanley and may not be as convenient for you to run out (does not have the few shops and coffee places that you can easily run out to in Repulse Bay). Its a little less convenient to Central than Repulse Bay, but again not a big deal.

For playgroups and moms activities etc., I think that the GeoBaby site might be a good place to look or ask around.

[Tommyknocker]

Repulse Bay area is great if you want short commutes into Central yet you are close to the sea. Further on from Repulse Bay you have South Bay and Stanley both of which are great but a longer commute. There is always Deepwater Bay to consider if you want to be closer in. You will not have a problem with pre-schools etc but bare in mind waitlists for Primary Schools are very long so you need to get names down asap.

[pnicky]

Hi - Thanks for the schools tip. Just wondering what you mean by a long wait ? What age o they start school at International schools ? Is it something to worry about - do some children not get school places?? My son will be 3 1/2 when we arrive in Hong Kong...