[fore51]

Hi All,

We are currently in the process of looking at apartments in Hong Kong. Unfortunately, the time frame we have now been given to move does not allow me to visit Hong Kong (i.e., we have five weeks).

We have visited Hong Kong a couple of times and have decided that we would like to live in Midlevels - although we could change our mind. Some of the buildings we are interested in are Queens Garden, Dynsty Court & Bamboo Grove .

OUr "needs" are:

Apartments which have children around 5 - 7 (this is the age of my two very active boys). Prefer some sort of kids activities.

We need at least a bit of space for the kids to run;

We have a budget up to HKD90,000 per month. If there is an apartment that is still good for substantially less,would love to hear about it.

Any comments about apartments in Kowloon or Kowloon Tong would be great.

School is very much up in the air at this stage, but will obviously have an impact. We have applied for Kellett & the Australian School.

So I guess tell me about your apartment complex.

Thanks in advance.

[Sleuth]

Why Mid-Levels? Were is the job?
Our complex meets most of your needs, but it is out in the NT. You can have your pick of the litter at 90K/month.
The Aussie School is pretty easy to reach, just a couple of train stops. Not sure where Kellet is, but all the schools around the Aussie and pretty easy to reach. Probably easier than reaching them from the Mid-Levels, assuming public transportation. Of course, the kids will have a bus, just depends on how long you want them in the bus.

[sea princess]

Hi
I think you will find that most people will do their activities/socialising at clubs. They are a means to regular sport for children like cricket/football/stennis etc. and with two children 5 and 7 really useful. If you have from your husbands company a membership anywhere then this may afffect where you chose to live as you may not want facilities, but opt for a small garden or a communal garden apartment that may be low rise and bigger inside to accomodate the children? Just a thought.

Also, Sleuth makes a good point regarding schools. You need to work out where they are likely to be attending. Schools here are not easy to get in to. Kellett is almost impossible to get into without an existing corporate debenture and you are relying then still on two children droppong out and being top of the wait list?

Most kids will do 30-40 minutes on a bus. I think from memory that friends who are at the peak and go to AIS, it takes their children 40-45min on the school bus. Their frustration is of course play dates. Most people who go to AIS live Kowloon side.

Some families opt for Southside - Repulse Bay, Stanley, Tai Tam with small aged children for space, area's to ride bikes/scooters, beach etc. There are a lot of Australians at Hong King Academy and French International School which are an easy commute from most areas on the island and ESF - Bradbury.

As for living in the Mid Levels, as I don't live there I can't really offer much advice!

Good Luck with the move.

[fore51]

Thanks for your insight Sleuth & Sea Princess.

Firstly with clubs, I assumed that alot of the sports would be run out of the school - so did not think of joining any clubs. What are the clubs I should be thinking about joining - are they simply sports clubs, or will I have to join a waitlist (Unfortunately membership at Clubs are not offered as part of our relocation package).

My husband is working at Central and it is probable that the kids will be going to the Australian School. So unforutnatley that does mean that the Southside is out. I really do not know much about Kowloon or the area around Kowloon Tong and the type of areas they are to live in. Any knowledge would be great.

Sleuth - where abouts in the NT is your apartment, and it is easily accessible to Central.

have a fabulous weekend.

[dimsum mum]

If your kids are in Australian International School you might want to consider Clearwater Bay/Sai Kung? You could get a gorgeous home with a yard and likely a pool for less than 90k.

[Sleuth]

You will most likely want a car if you head off to Clearwaterr Bay or Sai Kung.

Our complex is in Fo Tan, would take an hour, give or take depending on final location in Central, to commute to Central, door-to-door. Commute would be by train.

There are some nice apartment complexes near Kowloon Tong/Festival Walk area, but I am not sure they have much space to run around in. You'll have easy access to some public spaces, but nothing in your backyard.
Also, keep in mind running/playing in parks is mostly frowned upon here and, just to make sure you get the idea, they are mostly paved over. They treat grass like it was some sort of valuable plant, rather than the weed it is.

[Jo Bowd]

Sent you a PM

[m2cw2mhk]

Hi, I live in Bamboo Grove and really like it.
Pros:
* big podium for the kids to play on. also a huge playroom, and a nice big pool. couple of small playgrounds.
* they have lots of activities for kids/families - they are having a big dragon dance on Chinese New Year, for example, and have a big Halloween party. there is something almost every week.
* I love the neighborhood. I feel like it has more "personality" than the main part of midlevels. Here I can walk out my door and be in Wan Chai Market (big street market) or the MTR or tram in just a few minutes. walking around in Wan Chai is great, there are shops and markets of all kinds and lots of interesting things to see and do. Lots of good restaurants within walking distance. we also have easy access to Bowen Road walking trail which is lovely. it is also pretty quick to get to Central for errands, shopping, going to work, etc.

I am not familiar with the schools you mention as my oldest is only 4 but I know a lot of kids here go to Hong Kong Academy. There are loads of Australians here in the building but I am really only familiar with the under-5 crowd.

If you have any questions about Bamboo Grove feel free to send me a message. I think it is great for families. We used to live on the Southside (in Shouson Hill) but I like it better out here, even though our apartment is smaller, because I like being closer to Central.

Good luck planning your move!

[kiwiinoz]

I live on Robinson Road (Mid Levels) in a complex with lots of kids, big playground. Our building complex also has a sports club and runs ballet/tai kwan do/ tennis / swimming (summer) for kids (you pay a fee and activities are very popular though). Love the location because I can walk to Central or Sheung Wan and buses go by frequently to Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and North Point. A few parks (with swings) within close proximity too. Hubby only has a 20 minute walk from Central where he works home. So for us it is very convenient. My children are Australian, but we've opted for the ESF system because they can stay on the island. There is a bus to the Australian School but I think it goes up Conduit Road, not Robinson Road in the afternoon. It picks up from here in the morning though. My daughter has a 30 - 40 minute bus ride to her school and despite the early starts being hard at first (on the bus at 7.15 am) she has adjusted well.

Our apartment is 3 bedroom and not huge at around 1300 sq ft, but we're getting used to it.

Good luck with your move!

[fore51]

Thank you to everyone for your comments. We are moving in the next four weeks and will look at the places you recommend. It looks like that even though the apartments may be small the additional facilities may still make them "workable".

cheers