[cjl]

Hello, My husband and I will be moving to HK this summer with our newborn who will be about 3 months old.

Where would be the best place to live?

I'm worried about being alone and isolated all day with the baby while my husband is at work so we'd like to live where there would be alot of expats with babies or young families for support. Im American and my husband is British. We're in our early 30's. oh and I am also concerned about the pollution for a newborn...

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[Sleuth]

Where will your husband work and how long does he want the commute to be?

[cjl]

He'll be working in IFC1 and wouldn't mind commuting 30 -35 minutes.

Some friends have recommended Discovery Bay or Repulse bay, but I think our budget will only be about $30,000HK per month but I'm not sure what you can get for that in those areas?

[Yvonne Gamble]

I don't think you will get anything in Repulse Bay for $30K, but you should be able to in Discovery Bay. There is a ferry ride of approx 25 mins. There are lots of families in Discovery Bay with young children & lots of expats. Mid Levels is probably more convenient and also lots of expats...depends what you want. You should ask your husband's company to put you in a serviced apartment / hotel to begin with, check out all the different areas and then decide. Good Luck!

[Skyhook]

I'd have to say that Discovery Bay will be the most family friendly area for your budget, which has an easy commute to hubby's work, and plenty of other house wives around the shopping mall during the day to do coffee and catch up on the latest gossip with. It won't take you long to fit into the local clique..

Another alternative that is worth considering is Sai Kung, but commute time will be increased by another 35 minutes on top of the DB commute. Overall vibe and environment are essentially on par with one another, both area's promote a bit of a sense of community, more so than most other expat area's. They have their own district publications of whats going on also..


When you take your first look around Discovery bay, i am sure you'll feel pretty comfortable with the location, as its very intuitive and familiar.

[cjl]

Thanks for your ideas!

Discovery Bay looks nice...do you think we can find a 3 bed or 2 bed + study for $30,000 - $35,000HK/ month?

My mother-in-law who used to live in HK said I would be too isolated in DB, but she lived there over 10 years ago, so I assume it has grown and changed alot since then.

Also as there are no cars in DB... Is all the housing walking distance to the shopping and ferry? Can you use a car seat in a golf buggy??

[tjc2400]

hi cjl, just interested in how you went as I am going to be in the same position as you after I have my baby in September of this year. my husband has already started working ~ 2wks away and 1wk at home until we move to HK after baby arrives.

I think he is keen on Pokfulam area - I really have no idea on anywhere in HK - have our house hunting trip early august and trying to do a bit of background now.

cheers

[timklip]

you can easily find a place in your budget in DB, but you might get more relevant info here:
Hong Kong Discovery Bay Forum 香港愉景灣村民論壇 Index

instead of asking 'could you put a baby seat in a golf cart?', don't you think a better question might be 'should you put a baby seat in a golf cart?' since you'll be sharing the road with delivery trucks, property agent SUV's and public buses (golf cart loses to all of those in a crash...and accidents do happen there)

that said, DB is prob. your best bet, easy commute to IFC and tons of western moms and kids around

[Sleuth]

Originally Posted by tjc2400

hi cjl, just interested in how you went as I am going to be in the same position as you after I have my baby in September of this year. my husband has already started working ~ 2wks away and 1wk at home until we move to HK after baby arrives.

I think he is keen on Pokfulam area - I really have no idea on anywhere in HK - have our house hunting trip early august and trying to do a bit of background now.

cheers

You are having a baby in September and flying to HK in August?
Might want to checck with your ob-gyn (if you haven't already). Our doctors frowned on that. I think their biggest fear is something happens on the plane.

[timklip]

sleuth..she says 'move to HK after baby arrives' so should be okay...but there is still a window (about a month?) after delivery when flying is a no-no i think...