[capricorn]

We are moving to Hong Kong this summer. The agent highly recommend Parkview. From website, the compound seems nice. But when we talked to a few people, most of people have negative points of views. The humidity and fog in summer seems the biggest problem over there. Can anyone offer some advise or comments?

[tash.]

humidity and fog all year around... you have to get your dehumidifier on 24/7. you cant really open the windows... water leaking problem too.

[rani]

You need to get a humidifier no matter where you stay in HK.

Everyone I know who has stayed at Parkview have loved it. Great facilities for kids, not far from town, spacious apartments. They have a serviced apartment as well. You can stay there while your furniture arrives and look for a place to stay.

[tash.]

but up here at parkview, it is ULTRA humid all year round. you can not see anything out the windows. i used to live there and it is so not good for our health. so i moved out. yes they have a clubhouse for kids, but it is all old and torn down. if you dont have a car, it is hard to get to town, only on their shuttle bus which runs maybe every 20-30 minutes. but the problem is we have lots of leaking problem with the house. and we did switch three different apartment here but still..

[Sazzy]

Hi - we are loving life in Parkview. I have a 25 month old. +ve points : The clubhouse has outdoor playground, indoor playground (newly renovated and separate playgrounds for over and under 5s. Indoor and outdoor pools. There are also kids clubs such as Kindermusic, Ballet classes, Art classes at Parkview (you have to pay extra). There is also a preschool within the complex + a supermarket + ATM. Most things that you need is on the doorstep.

The summer in Parkview is great. Its slightly cooler as we are up the hill. And we are surrounded by country parks.

-ve points : Winter is not good. We live in the clouds for December and January and it is colder up here but our apartment has heating and air con in 1 system. We have dehumidifiers but you will need them anywhere in HK.

The shuttle bus is good. It runs every 15 minutes and every 10 minutes during peak times. It takes 10 minutes to get down the hill to Wan Chai and 25 minutes to Central. I have a 30 minute - door to door commute to work. We use taxis for other venues. Taxis are quite cheap here.

FYI : we have had no leaking problems and I have had the windows open all day today and the air is fine.

What else would you like to know?

[capricorn]

Hi, Sazzy: thanks for your insights. It is great to know. I visit Parkveiw once and I had a great feeling about it until I heard many comments from Hong Kong people (not expat people), especially the humidity and fog in summer. Thanks for sharing this with me.

[starbucks2]

As an alternative (you may have good reasons for choosing on the Island) you might like to consider DB. I am a complete DB convert having lived in Midlevels for 5 years (and always thought DB was Noddyland!), I love being out in DB now and we only moved out 4 months ago. For kids it is excellent in terms of playgrounds and facilities. I see from your other thread that you have issues with places in schools and unfortunately that is just as hard if not harder out in DB.

[notmyaisle]

I'm totally with Sazzy.
Whilst I no longer live at Parkview, there are lots of things I miss about it.
Yes, it is sometimes like living in the clouds but it really is just the winter/spring months. I found it much cooler in the summer being up in the mountains. Speaking of which, it's the walking trails I miss, right on your doorstep.
Community feel all the necessities on your doorstep plus it's only 10-15 minutes either way to Wanchai/Central or Repulse Bay/Stanley.

There may be better places but it's not a bad place to start your HK adventure.

[fore51]

We have been staying in the Serviced Apartments at Parkview, and have now decided to stay here permanently. OUr first week was spent in the clouds, but when you looked out the window, people were still able to use the outdoor facilities.

Another reason for staying here is that the kids get to actually run on the grass (other apartments in midlevels do not encourage this). There is also the fact that the apartment complex is right in the middle of a national park, and the kids have enjoyed exploring the trails, and particularly the turtle ponds and a large reservior both only a 10 minute walk from the main entrance.

Although only a new person here, it seems to meet the needs of my two very active children.
You are a little bit out of the centre of Hong Kong, but the bus runs every 15 minutes and there is a large supermarket here.

[howardcoombs]

The biggest problem with Parkview IMO is the isolation. You are cutoff from public transport. For similar budget, you can get something very close by without the isolation.

Consider Happy Valley and look into:
Ventris Place
Leighton Hill
Celeste Court

HC