[FUM]

Even though we are nearly decided to move to Discovery bay the question above keeps me wondering if it is the right place to live.

How many days per year (rough guestimate) would the ferry services be suspended due to bad weather?

And: are there (peak) times where it is difficult to get a seat or even a place on the ferry?

Thanks for feed back, best regards,

FUM

[carang]

we lived in db for over 6 years. we never had a problem getting a seat on the ferry, ever.

the ferry is only suspended for Typhoon #8, so far as I know. possibly for a black rainstorm warning (not usually, i don't think).

so it really depends on what the weather is like that particular year. some years there are no typhoons at all, so no suspensions. some years there are 5 typhoons, so 5 suspensions.

however, when they expect to raise the #8 signal, there is always warning. so you have enough time to catch the ferry home.

[Skyhook]

Originally Posted by FUM

Even though we are nearly decided to move to Discovery bay the question above keeps me wondering if it is the right place to live.

How many days per year (rough guestimate) would the ferry services be suspended due to bad weather?

And: are there (peak) times where it is difficult to get a seat or even a place on the ferry?

Thanks for feed back, best regards,

FUM

I agree with Carang regarding the Typhoon 8 or Black rain signal. Its a pretty trying time for everybody getting home, irregardless of where it is you live, if one leaves their home departure to the last minute, as they do give a couple of hours notice before the T8 signal is hoisted.

Carang may not be aware of this, but its pretty popular in Saikung for the lads to drink at the Beach bar during a big typhoon, watchng the ocean lick the beach side windows, the best show in town with a few pints . Us Cheesin Gweilo's are afraid of nothing pmsl


Where did you end up deciding to live over Discovery bay FUM,

[elle]

I second cara and skyhook. Even during rush hour it does not happen that you can't get onto the ferry. There are always free seats.
The only time when I was on a completely packed ferry was during last year's typhoon signal 8.
There is enough time to get to the ferry from wherever you are in Hong Kong when signal 8 is hoisted - I manage it from Kowloon Bay without any problem.

[Skyhook]

Thanks for the red dot message regarding this topic that read:

"Unrelated crap. Stick to your own place".


Nice one whoever that was.

And for the record, my point was that ALL air, sea and land based public transport is affected when the Black Rain signal is hoisted.

My point to the OP as others have pointed out, how does it make any difference where you live ? If you leave within the allocated time prior to the T8 signal being raised, you'll get home fine.

The OP may be from a country where typhoons and the like dont exist, and they may not be familiar as to just how disruptive they can be,to the whole territory, and to make it clear, that generally there is a fair bit of warning given. That way people can get home, no matter what mode of transport is chosen. As soon as a T8 warning is hoisted, its not going to be easy to get home, no matter what mode of transport is used.

I might be wrong here, but i was always under the impression that during a T8 or black rain signal warning, public transport ( road based ) is shut down, not just ferries.

[PDLM]

Originally Posted by Skyhook

during a T8 or black rain signal warning, public transport ( road based ) is shut down, not just ferries.

Road based is certainly very heavily curtailed although I don't think it stops entirely. Taxis sometimes try to charge a surcharge. The MTR continues to run.

[FUM]

indeed where I live now we got plenty of nice thunderstorms but hardly any typhoons. Understood that it doesn't matter too much which area you live in - good! (was more concerned about getting to work, never occured that getting home could be a problem, too...)

To skyhook: not yet decided which part of BD, we have never been to HK. We would be looking for a flat or semi-detached with 4 bedrooms and a small private garden (two toddlers). The closer to the ferry the better (I guess) and a lovely sea view would certainly be appreciated, too Any recommendations?

Greets,
FUM

[Skyhook]

Originally Posted by FUM

To skyhook: not yet decided which part of BD, we have never been to HK. We would be looking for a flat or semi-detached with 4 bedrooms and a small private garden (two toddlers). The closer to the ferry the better (I guess) and a lovely sea view would certainly be appreciated, too Any recommendations?

Greets,
FUM

G'day FUM,

I wouldn't worry too much about Typhoons etc, they don't happen often enough to be an issue, and if they continue for a couple of work days, you can spend a little extra time at home with the family. Look at the bright side of the coin.

Carang and Elle know the DB area very well, as Carang was a previous resident, and Elle is an existing DB local. I am sure either will chime in with some accomodation suggestions that fit your criteria.

You do also know that privately owned cars are not permitted in the Discovery bay confines, I assume that you didnt have any ambitions of owning a car while living in HK. Thats not to say that people in Discovery bay dont own cars, quiet a few pilots do, who make up a large percentage of the DB family demographic...In their case,they park their cars in Tung Chung.

We live across the bay, its quiet easy for us to visit DB via the Tuen Mun - Tung Chung ferry, to catch up with a few mates for a bite to eat at Jaspa's on the DB water front.

Its quiet a nice little spot DB, especially for a convenient ferry commute to Central, or bus to Tung Chung ~HK International Airport etc.

[carang]

the thing is... when there is a typhoon or a black rainstorm warning, every one is in the same boat (figuratively speaking). you wouldn't be expected to get to work. it is understood that if you wake up in the morning and it is a T8, you won't be at the office. i think this is true for almost all workplaces.

[elle]

Originally Posted by FUM

indeed where I live now we got plenty of nice thunderstorms but hardly any typhoons. Understood that it doesn't matter too much which area you live in - good! (was more concerned about getting to work, never occured that getting home could be a problem, too...)

To skyhook: not yet decided which part of BD, we have never been to HK. We would be looking for a flat or semi-detached with 4 bedrooms and a small private garden (two toddlers). The closer to the ferry the better (I guess) and a lovely sea view would certainly be appreciated, too Any recommendations?

Greets,
FUM

FUM,
low rise with an outdoor area (garden or terrace) within a walking distance to the ferry pier you'll find in phase 1 (Beach Village), Phase 8 (La Costa) and phase 7 (La Vista - it's on a hill, ok to walk down but in the steep heat & humidity in the summer you want to take the bus/hire car to go back). Those flats start at HK$ 30.000. You'll find cheaper options in the high rises (the Woods, the Greens), but you would need a bus to get to the Plaza/ferry pier. If you are not too fussed about having to take a bus to and from the ferry you might want to have a look at Siena 1 and Siena 2 as well - nice low rises with gardens and terraces as well - again rents would start be HK$ 30.000 and up.
Feel free to pm me for more information.