[hillandmain]

Moving to Hongkong in September. Did some homework last couple of weeks which suggests Golden Coast might be an option. Would like to know Pros/Cons from someone who has experience with GC. Response much appreciated...

Young couple w/o kids. Work location 2 Pacific Place with hrs into London close.

[timklip]

I live near Gold Coast in a little village (as far as I can tell I'm the only xpat for miles! ). I'm in Gold Coast quite a bit for shopping, errands, banking etc and I like it alot. Good choice of restaurants, nice choice of beaches, lots of hiking, and Tuen Mun is nearby with a big mall when needed. I know Phase 1 of Gold Coast is shrouded in scaffolding now (upgrading the exteriors I guess...who knows how long that will last).
There are lots of minibuses to Kowloon on Castle Peak Road, and good bus service to Central/Admiralty/Causeway Bay too (prob. about 40 mins to Admiralty in the am, 1hr return in the aft/eve.).

Having young kids you might want to check out the expat community of Discovery Bay too...more kids than Gold Coast and closer to Admiralty where you'll be working. Downside is a ferry ride and then bus/taxi to Admiralty (30-35 min?), or a more indirect bus/train combination (40+ minutes). DB is much closer and more convenient to the airport as well (Gold Coast can be a hassle in that regard).

Good luck with your search and if you haven't tried it, check out www.gohome.com.hk as well.

[Moriarty]

We've lived in/around the Gold Coast for 5 years and really enjoy it, more so than DB where we eventually found living by the ferry timetable too much hassle.

Allegedly Sino Land (who own Gold Coast 1 + 2) are tarting up the blocks as Timklip says, for the Disney people who are going to live there. If it's true, expect to see a lot more gweilos there (although there are already a lot).

Sino have their own letting office; if you want to look a other places in the area contact Gold Estate Agents on Castle Peak Road, in between GC Phase 2 and the Marina/shops.

The Citibus 962 goes direct from the GC and stops at both the Lippo Centre and Hennessy Road, just past Police HQ - these are the nearest stops to Pac Place, although to come back there is a stop right outside Lane Crawford in Pac Place. Times are as Timklip says, and it's $18.20 each way.

Overall, we prefer the Gold Coast to DB.