[powellam]

Will be moving to Hong Kong with two children and two dogs. Would prefer someplace family friendly and dog friendly. Can spend up to $150K per month. Will work in Causeway Bay. Thinking about Discovery Bay but am concerned about the commute. Also, maybe some place in the south of the HK island.

What are your thoughts?

[Alby]

Clearwater Bay / Sai Kung you should also consider

[HKChigger]

I second Sai Kung area. With that type of budget I am sure you could get a full village house with garden.

[wtbhotia]

Originally Posted by powellam

Can spend up to $150K per month.
What are your thoughts?

My thought is HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!!!! 150K per month. Some landlord is going to love you to bits. I could rent my house for 22 months on that budget. LOL

Your best bet is to get one of those big houses on DB, 2000sq upwards, with a large garden and they also provide you the golf carts. One of my mates company pays for his house, i heard it was 100K+ a month. 5mins drive to the ferry, 20-30 mins to central then take the MTR 3 stops to CWB 10-15 mins.

If you think that commute is long then dont bother with Sai Kung or Clear Water Bay unless your going to get a car with driver.

[thursday]

you'll love living in DB, but you'd def hate the commute.

Jardines lookout would be nice too.

[Stirling]

Clearwater Bay - you will get huge house probably with a swimming pool but having looked there myself I think its a big no no with kids and dogs (like me). Really nowhere to walk your dogs and your wife would have to get taxis everywhere, it felt very remote to me with 2 small kids and a bit dodgy - barbed wire round the walls etc.

Stanley - really nice and you would get a good sized place as you have a good budget

DB - That's the place for me. You will get a 4 bedroom house with garden and golf buggy for your budget. Your wife can walk down to the plaza and its just got a very safe feeling - when you walk off the ferry you will feel like you are abroad on holiday. Downside is its a bit
'Truman show' but I can live with this and as my hubby is working very long hours which I suspect you will do to I would suggest you definitely take a look here. School are an issue unless your company will pay the 20,000 pound (yes you read it right) to get your child to the top of the list for DBIS......if they dont pay your children would have to commute over to HK which is a long day and a load of hassle for mum......Feel free to PM if you want any more info.

[jayinhongkong]

Tai Tam is within your price range and right on the Island. You can get a flat at Redhill for that much.

[carang]

i'm guessing if the housing allowance is $150K/month there won't be a problem with housing.

if you are concerned about commute from DB to CWB, then you WILL not like the commute from Clearwater Bay or Sai Kung to CWB.

$150k/month should get you one of the biggest houses in DB, around 5168' with a golf cart, possibly a swimming pool.

However, for that kind of housing allowance, you are pretty much able to have your pick in almost every area of HK.

have fun! i wish i could come along to see exactly what that kind of allowance gets you!

[hello_there]

Originally Posted by powellam

Will be moving to Hong Kong with two children and two dogs. Would prefer someplace family friendly and dog friendly. Can spend up to $150K per month. Will work in Causeway Bay. Thinking about Discovery Bay but am concerned about the commute. Also, maybe some place in the south of the HK island.

What are your thoughts?

On HK island take a look at Stanley/ Tai Tam (approx. 30-45 minute door to door to Central); Repulse Bay (approx. 25-30 minutes to Central); Parkview (20-25 minutes to Central), the Peak and Pokfulam. Have lived in the first three and prefer Stanley or Parkview with big dogs because there is more and very easy access to safe walking paths and trails, along with a lot of trees and green. If the dogs are small indoor types Repulse Bay works, but I had a hard time there with large dogs and all the traffic close to the road. It took 10-15 minutes to get to a non-cement trail for dog walking from where we lived in Repulse Bay and that didn't work in the summer). Parts of Pokfulam are great and have country park access for dogs also. Generally the Mid-Levels are harder with dogs or strollers if your children are young (too crowded and all cement), but you see them (both kids and dogs) around there too.

[hello_there]

Just realized your job will be in Causeway Bay. For the South island locations (Stanley, Repulse Bay and Parkview) subtract somewhere between 5-10 minutes travel time. For the other locations, sorry but not quite sure. Oh, and travel time iI approximated s in a car or taxi. It will be a bit longer taking public transport.