[Summit]

I will be moving to HK in the next 1-2 months, work in Central, by the Central MTR station, single, and now I am just trying to figure out where to live, and looking for an apt.

Two weeks ago, I stayed in HK for 4 days on a business trip, so I didn't really have enough time to check out all the so-called "expat" communities that I read from this Forum.....but I did manage to walk around Mid-level through the escalator, and take a ferry to Discovery Bay.

Here is my 1st impression:

Most of the buildings around the escalator at Mid-level look old and in poor quality, plus the way up and down looks really crowded and dirty, and it seems to me that the only good point is that it is close to those SOHO restaurants and bars.

Then I wandered around, lost for a while, then I found there is another Mid-level section above Hong Kong Park/Botanic Garden area, not sure what name that area is, those buildings look new and nice, at least from exterior, but I am not sure if it is easy to get down to Central without the escalator.

To sum up, the whole mid-level living reminds me of San Francisco life style, and looks like most are stand alone building, I am not sure if there is any "community" type development at Mid-level.

Then, Discovery Bay, that was a nice day, did feel much better, sunny beach and new buildings, give you a sense of community, looks clean, seems to me you can enjoy a lot outdoor activities, I can easily relate it to the Southern California life style, however, just as some postings here pointed out, it's like an outside world, too far from local HK reality.

So, which one to choose?

By the way, I am single and professional, but not a party animal who needs bars every night.

Oh, I also took a tram touring the City, then happened to find Manhattan Height in Kowloon Town which is mentioned here in several postings, it is close to water, but that area is too local, plus most of the surrounding area seems to be in industrial/port use. In addition, kind far to get to Central.

Where else should I be looking for?

Thanks in advance for your input.

[KnowItAll]

Take a look at Happy Valley.

[carang]

there is no such place as kowloon town. if you took a tram you probably ended up in kennedy town. kowloon is across the harbour.

i'm off to work, i'll get back to you about db. i've been in hk for more than 10 years and in db for the past four.

[discobay]

Discovery Bay is good
Actually from my time living there I found it good and bad. When I first arrived in HK I was given a flat there on the assumption that as I had come from the U.K. I would fit in well. I stayed there two months and moved to Kornhill Gardens near Taikoo Shing. I found the whole ferry thing too restrictive not that I was a party animal either but just that I wanted to come and go when I wanted to. I was working in Wanchai and lived up the hill in DB which meant taxi (or other) to Central, ferry to DB and bus to flat.
Since leaving DB I have had no regrets. I rarely return for a visit.
If you want to keep a dog it's a great place. If your time in HK is likely to be long then why not give it a try.
I too would recommend Happy Valley where I have lived too.
I personally like to be near an MTR station to get to and from work easily.

[Matt.]

I've been staying in DB and in the Mid-levels for longer times. And indeed what Discobay said, the ferry things makes it pretty restrictive. While the mid levels have some nice restaurant area's etc, etc.
Bought a app. in Happy Vally know, seems to be a good place.

Good luck.

[discobay]

I should also mention that I have lived on Conduit Road, Mid-Levels too. I liked the flat - big - and the quiet location. The escalator up the hill was/is slightly quirky and most times I ended up getting a taxi. Travelling to work meant getting a bus or mini-bus.
Definately a better class of peeps living up there but I've done that now.

[angiebaby80]

go for mid-level area because you are single...db is more family-orientated.

[saltwater]

Yeah agree, DB is for couples. Mid-Levels is better for singles coz its closer to the bars at LKF, Soho and Wan Chai. 95% of my friends live Mid Levels as well, if you go out to DB I suppose it could feel pretty isolated.

DB is a bit cheaper, but what you save in rent you make up for in ferry tickets and travel times. And do you really want to be getting a ferry home after a 3am drinking session at the fong when all your mates just jump in a taxi and will be at home in bed in 10 mins?

[discobay]

I once had to take the 3am ferry and fell asleep. After everyone else had got off I woke with a start and ran off the ferry just in time to get the bus. Unfortunately, it was the wrong one and the driver was not going back to the pier (w****r!). I had to walk back to the pier and on to my flat#$%!

[angiebaby80]

...and if you miss the 3am ferry...you have to wait one hour to get the next one...