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Hong Kong Island

Mid-levels

Situated just south of the central business district and extending midway up the Peak is the aptly-named Mid-levels district. Probably the most popular residential area for expats as well as the locals, this middle- to upper-class neighborhood is a short walk away from the entertainment hot spots of SoHo and Lan Kwai Fong, and offers easy access to Central via the famous Central Mid-levels escalator, the longest outdoor escalator in the world. The Mid-levels are actually divided into three distinct sections, the Mid-levels West area which is closest to the Central Mid-levels escalator, the Central Mid-levels area which lies along Old Peak Road and the Mid-levels East area which extends over leafy Kennedy Road. Areas of the Mid-levels can differ dramatically and while the Mid-levels West is quite busy and bustling, populated as it is with many shops and restaurants, the Central Mid-levels and the Mid-levels East areas are more quiet and residential. The general rule is that the higher you go the quieter and more expensive it gets.

The residential areas of the Mid-levels include areas along Stubbs Road (home to older and spacious developments) and Kennedy Road in Mid-levels East, MacDonnell Road and Bowen in Road in Mid-levels Central (very leafy, tranquil and green) and Robinson Road and Conduit Road in Mid-levels West both of which are close to the Central Mid-levels escalator and extremely convenient as they are populated by numerous shops and other amenitites. The area of Old Peak Road also lies within the Mid-levels Central and includes up-market areas like Tregunter Path, May Road and Magazine Gap Road which are populated by luxurious high-rise developments.

While the majority of the areas within the Mid-levels are well served by public bus routes, there are plenty of steep inclines, making walking exhausting, especially in the summer humidity.

Schools and Educational Facilities: The Mid-levels are home to both international as well as prestigious ESF schools.

Pre-School/Kindergarten

Primary School

Secondary School

Supermarkets: Supermarkets can readily be found throughout the Mid-levels area with retail chains often owning multiple premises on the same road. The Mid-levels are also well served by major wet markets like the Wan Chai wet market and the Bridges Street Market in Central.

Restaurants: There are no shortages of restaurants and drinking venues in Central, Wan Chai and SoHo, and they are all are easily accessible from the Mid-levels.

Entertainment: The Mid-levels lie within close proximity to the entertainment hubs of Wan Chai and Central which are chock a block with shops, restaurants, bars and cinemas. Moreover the area hosts several museums and attractions like the Hong Kong Park and Zoological gardens, the Hong Kong Visual Arts Center on Kennedy Road and the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Museum

Sporting Facilities: The Western and Central part of the Mid-levels has a number of walking tracks that lead to the Peak and Pok Fu Lam countryside parks while the Mid-levels East affords easy access to the Bowen Road walking path that connects the Mid-levels to Stubbs Road. Additionally the area hosts several government owned leisure centers and recreational facilities like the Bowen Road Tennis courts, the Hong Kong Tennis Centre at Wong Nai Chung Gap Road and the Southorn Playground on Hennessey Road. Additionally the Mid-levels also host the private membership Ladies Recreation club which offers a wide range of sporting facilities and is located on Old Peak Road.

Medical Facilities: The Mid-levels are served by the Canossa and Adventist Hospitals which are both included in the list of top private hospitals in Hong Kong. Additionally the Ruttonjee Public Hospital is located at the foothills of the Mid-Levels in the district of Wan Chai. Other medical facilities that serve the area include the many general practitioners, dentists and physiotherapists that operate privately from their offices in Central.

The Peak

The Peak is Hong Kong’s highest vantage point and its most prestigious address. With its tranquil greenery and superb harbor views, the luxurious colonial houses and apartments located here are highly sought-after by those who can afford them. All residential buildings on the Peak are low-rise due to height restrictions, and many boast all the trimmings you would expect – swimming pools, car parks, gymnasiums and tennis courts. Pleasant walking trails dot the neighborhood, and at sunset, stunning panoramic views of Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula are everywhere.

Most residents of the Peak own a car and drive, but for those who don’t, there are a few public bus routes that serve the area like the public bus number 15, 15B and minibus number 1. The other mode of transport serving the Peak is the Peak Tram, which takes about 20 minutes to reach Central and is not very practical as it is primarily a tourist attraction. You could always call a taxi but at peak times (early morning, late evenings and weekends) the Peak access roads are often gridlocked with traffic.

Another drawback of living in this area – besides the sky-high rents and the ever present pollution – is the high humidity, particularly during spring. Many homes here are fitted with dehumidifying systems to prevent damage to furnishings because of the excess moisture. In spite of these disadvantages, the Peak remains an extremely popular residential choice with the most prominent business families in Hong Kong.

Schools and Educational Facilities: The Peak, unfortunately, is not equipped with many international or ESF schools so if you choose to live on the Peak you should be prepared for the fact that your children will have to spend time commuting to and back from school.

Pre-School/Kindergartens

Primary School

Secondary School

Supermarkets: There is a large supermarket available in the Peak Galleria, the area’s shopping mall. However there are no wet markets located on the Peak, though the people who live on the Peak are affluent enough to afford a slew of helpers who can be dispatched to the local markets to shop.

Restaurants: A number of restaurants can be found in the Peak Galleria from exclusive dining to fast food outlets.

Entertainment: The Peak Galleria is a popular spot and contains a viewing platform from which the majority of Hong Kong can be seen on a good day, however it contains rather staid night life options and if you want a bar scene or some theater you have to venture out to Central or Wan Chai.

Sporting Facilities: There are no public leisure centres available in the area but many residential buildings on the Peak have their own club houses with swimming pools and gyms and the Peak itself is equipped with the Mount Austin Playground and the Victoria Peak Garden apart from several luscious walking and jogging tracks especially on Barker Road.

Medical Facilities: The Peak is equipped with the Matilda Hospital which is one of the top fully equipped, private medical establishments in Hong Kong.

Pok Fu Lam

Located at the western end of the island, Pok Fu Lam is best known as the location of the University of Hong Kong and the Queen Mary Hospital which is Hong Kong’s largest government medical facility. There are a significant number of expats living in Pok Fu Lam, many of whom work at the university. Many of the people living here are drawn to the district’s quiet, green environment which affords gorgeous sea views and a more laid-back lifestyle away from the buzz of Hong Kong.

The apartments in Pok Fu Lam’s older buildings are also larger in size and command somewhat lower rents than the apartments situated in the other areas favored by expats. However, often these apartments require a bit of work in order to be truly livable. One of the major drawbacks of living in Pok Fu Lam is the fact that the area is generally harder to access by public transport than other areas on Hong Kong Island as it is not connected on the MTR network, though plans exist to extend the MTR to Pok Fu Lam in the future.

Schools and Educational Facilities: Pok Fu Lam is a popular neighborhood for both local and expat families with children and it is thus equipped with good number of international and ESF schools.

Pre-Schools

Primary Schools

Secondary School

Supermarkets: There is a small supermarket in Baggio Villa, one of the local developments of Pok Fu Lam and a Park n Shop outlet at Wah Kwai Estate. Alternatively larger supermarkets and super stores can be found in nearby Cyberport or Aberdeen.

Restaurants: Baggio Villa contains a number of fast food outlets. Alternatively a number of restaurants are available in Cyberport and Aberdeen.

Entertainment: There is a cinema available in nearby Cyberport. In addition to this a number of entertainment facilities can be found in Aberdeen, including a bowling alley and local shopping malls.

Sporting Facilities: The verdant Pok Fu Lam country park which is located at the foot hills of Victoria Peak extends over 270 verdant hectares and is a favorite with morning walkers while nearby Aberdeen has a large leisure centre that contains squash, badminton and table tennis courts. The Flora Ho Sports Centre on One Pok Fu Lam Road and the Stanley Ho Sport Centre on Sha Wan Drive are two recreation centers, which are operated on a membership basis in Pok Fu Lam though the university, offers students and staff unencumbered access to these sport centers.

Medical Facilities: Pok Fu Lam is well served by the largest public hospital in Hong Kong, the Queen Mary Hospital and the district also hosts the Duchess of Kent Children’s hospital which is another public medical facility.

Cyberport

Cyberport is a relatively new area of Hong Kong that overlooks the sea on the west of the Island. Cyberport lies close to Aberdeen and in between Central and Repulse Bay. Cyberport can be reached via a 10-minute commute from Central by bus or taxi (depending on traffic). Although Cyberport houses an office complex and small mall, it is extremely quiet and has a remote feel about it.

Cyberport has become a favorite with expats in recent years with the appearance of Bel Air, an opulent high-rise complex which is extremely popular with mainland Chinese as it offers excellent recreational and sporting facilities along with jaw-dropping views of the ocean. Cyberport also has a water front park that permits dogs, something that is rare in Hong Kong.

Schools and Educational Facilities: Cyberport is within easy access of all the schools that are located in Pok Fu Lam.

Supermarkets: International, a branch of Park n Shop, is located within Cyberport.

Restaurants: A small number of restaurants are available in the Cyberport Mall including Chinese, Spanish tapas, Italian and French.

Entertainment: Cyberport hosts a three hundred-seat cinema, a butterfly sanctuary and a waterfront park.

Sporting Facilities: For residents of Bel Air, extensive sports facilities are available including indoor and outdoor swimming pools, badminton courts, tennis courts and gymnasiums. Of course, all these facilities are limited to the residents of the complex only.

Medical facilities: The medical facilities situated within Pok Fu Lam are easily accessible from Cyberport.

Repulse Bay

Repulse Bay is another highly coveted neighborhood which is favored by expats. This prime area, located on the south side of the island, offers a resort like setting which overlooks a sandy bay that hosts one of Hong Kong Island’s most popular beaches. Repulse Bay is populated by low rise colonial developments as well as swanky, new modern towers which offer a world of amenities.

Most of the properties here offer magnificent sea views looking out to the South China Sea. Not surprisingly, real estate here is expensive but the area remains a popular choice with expatriates and affluent locals, particularly families with children because of the relatively low levels of pollution, outdoor space, and close proximity to several excellent schools.

Although there are several buses (6X which goes express to Central) and minibuses serving the neighborhood, it’s not as convenient as the north side of the island as Repulse Bay is not accessible via Hong Kong’s MTR network. Many expats who choose to live here form carpools or buy a car to get around. Many developments that are located here do have private shuttle buses that offer access to Central throughout the day.

Schools and Educational Facilities:

Pre-Schools

Primary School

Supermarkets: There is a good sized supermarket (Wellcome) in the Repulse Bay Shopping Mall. However, if you need to, or like, shopping at wet markets you have to visit the waterfront market at Stanley or the wet market at Aberdeen.

Restaurants: The former Repulse Bay Hotel has been refurbished to become a shopping mall, providing cafes, fast food outlets, and boutique stores. The Verandah, which is managed by the Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotel group that manages Hong Kong’s prestigious, world-famous Peninsula Hotel, is one of the the up-market restaurants that is also housed in the mall.

Entertainment: All properties in Repulse Bay are a stone’s throw away from the beach where there are barbecue pits and activities most weekends.

Sporting Facilities: There are no public leisure centers in Repulse Bay, but the majority of residential developments that are located here have their own swimming pools and leisure facilities. Volleyball is played every weekend on the beach. The Repulse Bay development offers membership to non-residents for a monthly fee so that they can take advantage of its many recreational facilities.

Medical Facilities: The Repulse Bay lacks for major medical facilities though the Repulse Bay shopping complex hosts private doctors offices. The nearest hospital to Repulse Bay is the Queen Mary Hospital in Pok Fu Lam. Generally, though, for private services, people residing in Repulse Bay travel to the Canossa, Adventist or Matilda hospitals.

Deep Water Bay

Deep Water Bay is located on the south side of Hong Kong Island between Shouson Hill and Repulse Bay and is situated in a quiet and green area that has very beautiful views of the surrounding hills and lush greenery. Deep Water Bay is considered a prestigious place in which to live, and the neighborhood is small and exclusive. The real estate scenario in Deep Water Bay is dominated by small developments which are generally low rise and offer relatively large living space. Accordingly, they command hefty rentals as well.

Deep Water Bay is popular with both expatriates as well as locals as it is located within close proximity to the Aberdeen tunnel which affords easy access to Central. If you plan to reside in Deep Water Bay you should factor a 20 minute commute each way if using a taxi or car to get to Central, and if you plan to commute by bus then you should approximately add another ten minutes to your commute. Of course these time estimates can be longer due to traffic during rush hours.

Schools and Educational Facilities: The Canadian and Singaporean International schools in Aberdeen are easily accessible via a 10-minute drive from Deep Water Bay and the schools in Repulse Bay are also within easy reach.

Secondary School

Supermarkets: There are no supermarkets in Deep Water Bay itself but supermarkets can be found in nearby Aberdeen or Repulse Bay. This is one of the major inconveniences of living in such a secluded, albeit beautiful area.

Restaurants: Deep Water Bay Golf Course (members only) has its own restaurant with an outdoor veranda that serves both western and Chinese food. The Hong Kong Country Club is yet another member’s only enclave that is located in Deep Water Bay that also has recreational facilities and food and beverage outlets. If you do not have membership to either of these clubs, you have to travel to other areas like Central or Causeway Bay to get your restaurant fix.

Entertainment: The sea is the main draw in Deep Water Bay. Deep Water Bay has numerous gorgeous bays, all of which are sufficiently sheltered to enable safe swimming. There are lifeguards at all the main beaches and the shores are cleaned regularly. The popular tourist (children’s) attraction, Ocean Park, is also located nearby.

Sporting Facilities: Deep Water Bay has its own golf club, which permits visitors (with a handicap certificate) between Monday and Friday only. The Middle Island Yacht Club, which is a part of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, offers sailing courses which are open to the public as well.

Medical Facilities: Like Repulse Bay, Deep Water Bay doesn’t have major medical facilities though the Queen Mary Hospital in Pok Fu Lam can be easily accessed from Deep Water Bay.

Stanley

Stanley is a small seaside town that is extremely popular with the expatriate community due to its quaint village-like atmosphere. The real estate landscape in Stanley is characterized by low-level, private stand-alone homes, public housing estates and new developments which offer a host of amenities like gyms, swimming pools and play rooms. The area also hosts older apartment complexes which are rather dated but continue to charge high rents due to the desirability of their location.

Stanley Market is a famous landmark in Hong Kong that features many vendors that sell all sorts of products that range from clothes and shoes (in big ‘expat’ sizes as well) through to paintings and artwork. Stanley is well connected by public, express and mini buses to major hubs like Central, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay though, like the rest of the South side of Hong Kong, it doesn’t have MTR links as yet.

Schools and Educational Facilities:

Pre-School

  • St Teresa’s Kindergarten, Tung Tau Wan Road

Secondary School

Supermarkets: Stanley Plaza hosts an outlet of the Taste supermarket along with a number of food stores including a bakery. In addition, there is a Wellcome supermarket situated near the Plaza. Stanley also has a small wet market along its waterfront that houses vendors of fruits, vegetables, dry goods, flowers and newspapers.

Restaurants: There is no shortage of restaurants in Stanley with the majority of international cuisines being available. Many of the restaurants located on Stanley Beach offer al fresco dining, something which is actually quite rare in Hong Kong.

Entertainment: The Stanley Dragon Boat Races are held here during the month of June and are an event that should not be missed. The beaches in and around Stanley also offer plenty of entertainment with many water sports activities available. Also located in Stanley is the Murray House, a Victorian-era building which hosts the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, and many restaurants that have stunning views of the ocean.

Sporting Facilities: Stanley has a number of sporting facilities on offer including football, tennis and basket ball courts and it has its own leisure centre that contains a swimming pool and various sports courts. In addition Stanley has its own boat club where there are plenty of activities on offer such as windsurfing and rowing.

Medical Facilities: Stanley doesn’t have any hospitals either, though private doctors surgeries are available in nearby Chung Hom Kok and Repulse Bay. For hospital care, residents of Stanley either travel to the Queen Mary hospital in Pok Fu Lam or the Adventist Hospital in the Mid-levels.

Tai Tam Reservoir

Tai Tam is a luxury residential area which is located on the south side of Hong Kong island. The Tai Tam reservoir area encompasses four reservoirs that provide much of Hong Kong’s water supply. The Tai Tam area lies adjacent to Stanley and offers stunning views of the sea and the surrounding hills.

Tai Tam has been expanding lately and there are a number of new high-rise estates and townhouse complexes. Most of the accommodation available is new and very well appointed and many developments have full clubhouse facilities.

The major disadvantage of Tai Tam Reservoir area is that the area is very isolated and doesn’t have an MTR station located close by. The closest MTR station is twenty minutes away in Quarry Bay. Many of the bigger developments in the Tai Tam area have private shuttle bus services to Central while public buses provide connections to Stanley and Chai Wan from Tai Tam.

Schools and Educational Facilities:

Pre-School

Secondary School

Supermarkets: There is a Wellcome supermarket available in the Redhill Plaza, the Taste store in Stanley Plaza is within easy reach, and there is a wet market in Quarry Bay. Park n Shop operates an outlet of its Fusion stores at the large Hong Kong ParkView residential complex in Tai Tam.

Restaurants: The residents in Tai Tam tend to use restaurants, entertainment and sporting venues of nearby Stanley as Tai Tam Reservoir road area does not have any such facilities and Stanley is within walking distance of Tai Tam.

Entertainment: The American Club, which a private membership club for US citizens, is located in the Tai Tam area and offers many recreation and sporting facilities for its member like tennis and squash courts, golf driving bays and a swimming pool along with many other activities.

Sporting Facilities: The Tai Tam Reservoir area offers many lush walking trails and scenic picnic areas.

Medical Facilities: The Tai Tam Reservoir area doesn’t have any hospitals, but it has a few private doctors offices in Redhill Plaza. Most residents from Tai Tam use the facilities of other hospitals on Hong Kong Island.

Happy Valley

Adjacent to the shopping district of Causeway Bay is Happy Valley, an upscale residential neighborhood which is popular with expat and local families. The district is best known for the Happy Valley Race Course and many properties offer panoramic views of the racetrack.

This comes at a price, though, and the proximity to the racetrack also means that the area can be quite crowded on racing days (Wednesday nights), with the roads in the surrounding area becoming heavily congested. Housing in the area consists of both older, low-rise buildings and modern, high-rise residential estates. In recent years, prices have soared in the area along with rising demand and Happy Valley now is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to Central.

The neighborhood’s tranquil greenery is an attractive draw for both locals and expats while the proximity to Causeway Bay means that you are never far away from a myriad of shopping malls and entertainment options. The only major disadvantage of Happy Valley is that it is not served by the Hong Kong’s MTR network, though it is extensively connected by Hong Kong’s public bus, mini bus and tram networks.

Schools and Educational Facilities:

Pre-School

Primary School

Secondary School

  • The French International School, Blue Pool Road

Supermarkets: There are a number of supermarkets in the area including International (a ParknShop brand) that caters to expats, as well as a Wellcome, MarketPlace by Jasons and a ParknShop store.

Restaurants: There is no shortage of restaurants and fast-food chains in Happy Valley and the surrounding area, and a myriad of cuisines are readily available.

Entertainment: The entertainment and shopping centers of Causeway Bay are within walking distance. Happy Valley has its own racecourse with racing held every Wednesday night during the season, which runs from September to June.

Sporting Facilities: A jogging track runs around the perimeter of the Happy Valley Race Course and a number of outdoor basketball courts are available in the nearby area. Happy Valley is also home to the Hong Kong Football Club, the Hong Kong Cricket Club and the prestigious Hong Kong Jockey Club all of which are private member’s clubs that offer a wide range of sporting activities and recreational facilities.

Medical Facilities: The Hong Kong Hospital and Sanatorium, a private hospital in Happy Valley provides a whole host of medical services to the residents of the area. The Adventist Hospital in Stubb’s Road is another hospital which is easily accessible by the residents of Happy Valley.

North Point

A mainly residential area east of Causeway Bay, North Point has many traditional wet markets, small restaurants and supermarkets. It is particularly popular with the Asian expat community, consisting mainly of Japanese and local Chinese. The district is undergoing something of rejuvenation due to the rise in demand for office space here and many new high-rise residential developments are emerging. These offer a stark contrast to the older Chinese buildings.

The area has several public schools and a couple of international schools, but lacks any large-scale shopping malls or high-end restaurants. Java Road in North Point, however, is regarded as one of the interior design districts in Hong Kong as it is populated with many furniture and lifestyle stores. Housing is much cheaper in North Point than elsewhere on the island.

North Point offers great convenience as it is easily accessible from Central via the Eastern Corridor highway or via a 20-minute ride on the MTR. There are also a number of ferries linking the North Point ferry pier with various places in Hong Kong.

Schools and Educational Facilities:

Pre-School

Primary School

Secondary School

Supermarkets: There are a number of ParknShop and Wellcome supermarkets in the area and these are complimented with local stores and markets like the North Point Market and the Java Road cooked food market.

Restaurants: There a large number of restaurants available in the North Point area. Many of these are limited to low-price, local restaurants and fast food joints.

Entertainment: Victoria Park is a popular place for people to go for a leisurely walk. The Sunbeam Theater is a historic theater that hosts Cantonese operas.

Sporting Facilities: Victoria Park contains a number of sporting facilities including a swimming pool, tennis, handball, squash and basketball courts, skating and a football ground.

Medical Facilities: St Paul’s hospital in Causeway Bay is a private hospital that provides quality health care to the residents of North Point. Tung Wah Eastern Hospital in Causeway Bay is a public hospital that caters to the needs of residents of North Pont.

New Territories

Sai Kung

The sea facing area of Sai Kung is a low-density recreational and residential area. Sai Kung is characterized by beautiful scenery of green hills and the ocean, and there is a distinct country atmosphere around the fishing villages. Sai Kung is a veritable mecca for seafood lovers, locals and tourists alike.

Those who prefer the country life or are willing to sacrifice convenience for a better living environment readily adopt the lifestyle that prevails in Sai Kung. More expats and families are looking to Sai Kung as a good alternative to Hong Kong Island. Many rent low-rise villas and townhouses, which are much bigger and more affordable compared to the tiny apartments in the city.

Sai Kung, however, is located more than an hour away from Central by public transport and most public transport in Sai Kung starts and stops at the bus and minibus terminus in the town. Ferry services is available to the neighboring islands and some isolated coastal villages but not to the central business district itself. Many residents own a vehicle for commuting to work, as there is no MTR link in Sai Kung itself but public buses and mini buses do offer connections to the MTR stops at Choi Hung, Hang Hau and Tseung Kwan O. A longer commute time is the sacrifice you have to make if you consider living in the seaside paradise of Sai Kung.

Schools and Educational Facilities:

Pre-School

Secondary School

There are also a number of schools in nearby Tai Po:

Pre-School

Primary School

Secondary School

Supermarkets: Both ParknShop and Wellcome have supermarkets in the Sai Kung area and these are supplemented with a host of local supermarkets, butchers and bakeries.

Restaurants: Sai Kung is a popular haunt with day trippers for it has a number of excellent dining options which offer a wide array of cuisines. Within the town itself there is a choice of many Western restaurants and bars while along the seafront many local places feature fresh seafood.

Entertainment: Sai Kung is popular with aspiring artists and accordingly is home to a number of art galleries. The town has a large number of shops and markets to explore and for people who are feeling particularly energetic, bicycles hire is easily available.

Sporting Facilities: Sai Kung has its own outdoor recreation center with camping and outdoor sports facilities. The Sai Kung Country Park is a popular destination with hikers, walkers and picnickers. The Shelter Cove Yacht Club and the Hebe Haven Yacht Club offer sailing courses to non-members and golf enthusiasts enjoy teeing off at the public golf course at Kau Sai Chau which is easily accessible by ferry from Sai Kung. Sai Kung is also home to the Clear Water Bay Golf and Country Club which is a prestitigious private membership golf course.

Medical Facilities: The medical needs of residents in Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay are catered to by the public Tseung Kwan O Hospital in Hang Hau though Sai Kung itself does have a few general practitioners, dentists and pediatricians who operate private practices within the neighborhood.

Outlying Islands

Lamma Island

Lamma Island is a short ferry ride from Central or Aberdeen and is home to approximately 3,000 people. Although many expats do live here, it is generally inhabited by people who want a quieter life away from the city and who aren’t concerned about living their lives according to the ferry schedule.

The area has a very local feel but is also very popular with tourists. Many of the apartments and houses here have outdoor space; something that is considered a luxury for people living in Central and the rent is significantly lower.

Schools and Educational Facilities: There are no international schools located on Lamma Island though the island does have a Steiner-inspired early learning centre called the Banyan House Kindergarten.

Supermarkets: There are no major supermarket chains located on Lamma Island but there are plenty of local supermarkets and stores from which goods can be purchased like Lamma Gourmet which stocks cheeses, sausages and much other imported foods.

Restaurants: Lamma has a fairly good choice of restaurants, the majority of which are seafood based. There are a handful of restaurants that catered specifically to Western tastes like The Fountainhead.

Entertainment: Walking around Lamma Island is entertainment in itself. The well-known family trail offers a beautiful walk through local villages, beaches and hills and will lead walkers from one side of the island to another.

Sporting Facilities: There are no public leisure centers available on the island but there are a small number of outdoor areas where basketball and volleyball can be played.

Medical Facilities: Lamma Island is equipped with a government medical clinic but for more serious cases patients are airlifted by helicopter to hospitals on Hong Kong island.

Discovery Bay

Often referred to as Disco Bay or just DB among its residents, Discovery Bay is a self-contained residential community on Lantau Island.

Discovery Bay is accessible from the rest of Hong Kong via a road tunnel and 24-hour high speed ferry service, which takes about 20-30 minutes to reach Central. Private cars are not allowed on Discovery Bay, and many residents get around the area via a 24-hour internal shuttle bus service or by driving golf carts which they have to rent or buy. The road tunnel connects Discovery Bay to the airport and Tung Chung from where the MTR can be accessed. It is no wonder then Discovery Bay is quite popular with airline staffs as well as expatriates and sections of the local Chinese population who are looking for a slower and quieter lifestyle.

The development is home to approximately 16,000 residents, including a sizable community of expats from over 30 countries. Because of the influx of expats, property prices for villas and homes are high in Discovery Bay, especially for estates located near the ferry pier. Discovery Bay also has high rise developments which are outfitted with various amenities and whose rentals are lower than similar developments on Hong Kong Island.

Schools and Educational Facilities:

Pre-School

Primary

Secondary

Supermarkets: Discovery Bay has its own commercial hub called Discovery Plaza which has a large variety of shops and supermarkets like Fusion and Wellcome.

Restaurants: There is a selection of more than 20 restaurants, many of which overlook the sea and man-made beach. There are also plenty of pubs and drinking houses.

Entertainment: The Discovery Bay Residents Club runs a number of activities throughout the year and offers various recreation facilities. The island also has a golf club (27-hole golf course) and marina club.

Sporting Facilities: Many of the residential properties on Discovery Bay have their own swimming pools and private sporting facilities.

Medical Facilities: Discovery Bay has two private Medical centers namely the Quality Health Care Medical center and the Discovery Bay Medical Center which provide essential health care on the island. For more serious issues patients are transferred to Hong Kong Island.

Kowloon – Tsim Sha Tsui

The Kowloon Peninsula was never considered as a desirable choice of expatriates in the past, though in recent years this has changed somewhat. Located on the southern end of the Kowloon peninsula is the busy bustling district of Tsim Sha Tsui. This well known shopping and commercial district is now the choice abode of several expats who work at the many international offices housed in spanking new tower ICC tower. The ICC tower is currently the tallest building in Hong Kong that hosts sevaral prestigious anchor tenants like the major global investment banks, Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank.

Tsim Sha Tsui is renowned as a tourist landmark famed for its world renowned waterfront that offers awe-inspiring views of the Hong Kong skyline. The district, besides being a busy, bustling commercial enclave, also hosts some of Hong Kong’s most luxurious hotels like the Sheraton, Intercontinental, the Langham Place Hotel and the grandest of them all, the Peninsula Hotel.

In recent years, the district has also witnessed much mall construction activity and today Tsim Sha Tsui hosts several multi-storied malls in addition to the district’s gargantuan Ocean Terminal and Harbor City malls which have been popular with cruise ship visitors for ages.

Today Tsim Sha Tsui also boasts many high rise developments which have been erected along areas like Canton Road, Austin Road and King’s Park hill. These high rises, like the high rises on Hong Kong Island, are kitted out with highly coveted amenities like club houses and swimming pools. Expatriates who want to be closer to the international schools and who would rather live in a low-rise house-like setting are in recent years even venturing out to traditionally local, though decidedly up-market, areas of Kowloon like Kowloon Tong which lie north of Tsim Sha Tsui.

One of the major advantages of living in Tsim Sha Tsui is that it has excellent transport connections to Hong Kong Island, the New Territories and the Airport via the iconic Star Ferry, the MTR, taxis, public buses and mini buses and of course the Airport Express train that makes a halt at the West Kowloon station. The China ferries are also obtainable at the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront which has traditionally received cruise liners from around the world. Tsim Sha Tsui is connected by road to Hong Kong Island via its two main tunnels namely the the Cross Harbor and Western tunnels.

Schools and Educational Facilities: The southern end of Kowloon hosts a wide array of international, local and ESF schools.

Pre-School

Primary

Secondary

Supermarkets: There are plethora of supermarkets and wet markets in the Tsim Sha Tsui area like the Wellcome Super Markets at Austin and Hankow Roads, Jason’s Market place at Austin Road and the I Square and K11 malls, the 360 organic store at the Elements Mall and the many South Asian groceries which are housed in the teeming ‘notorious’ Chungking Mansion and Mirador Mansion buildings.

Restaurants: Tsim Sha Tsui, being a tourist destination, is chock a block with diverse restaurants. In fact the district has several dining enclaves like 1 Peking Road, 1881 Heritage, Knutsford Terrace and the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront that offer all types of global cuisines. Tsim Sha Tsui additionally hosts numerous bars that often have live music performances.

Entertainment Facilities: Tsim Sha Tsui is home to several museums and entertainment centers like Hong Kong Space Museum, the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the Hong Kong Science Museum and the Hong Kong Museum of History. The Hong Kong Coliseum which is located close by is a favored venue for concerts and sporting events.

Sports Facilities: The public access Kowloon Park Sports center on Austin Road is equipped with facilities for squash, badminton, volley ball, netball and handball and it also a well equipped fitness center. Aside from this public access utility Tsim Sha Tsui has several private membership clubs like the the Kowloon Cricket Club and the United Services Recreation Club, which also have various recreational and dining facilities.

Medical Facilities: Queen Elizabeth Hospital on Gascoigne Road is the major public hospital that serves the area while the Hong Kong Baptist Hospital on Waterloo Road is Tsim Sha Tsui’s premier private medical care center though Tsim Sha Tsui is also well served by numerous private doctors who practice out independently.

Top Tips

01 The majority of homes in Hong Kong do not have ovens, as most Chinese cooking is done on a hob. Check kitchen appliances before signing a lease.
02 Hong Kong is mainly hot but it does get cold between December and February. Homes don’t have heating so you will need your own heating appliances.
03 All residents need a Hong Kong ID card. Queues for registration are always huge so book an appointment in advance.
04 Rental prices are very high in Hong Kong and you will usually be expected to pay six weeks rent to the estate agent to pay for his or her services.
05 Tax is not automatically deducted from your salary in Hong Kong. You will need to ensure that you put aside enough money each month for tax purposes.

Useful links

  • http://www.gov.hk
    The one-stop portal of the Hong Kong government, featuring links to information and services from the public sector.
  • http://www.geobaby.com
    Articles, resources, bulletin boards and discussion forum for expatriate mothers in Hong Kong.
  • http://www.thelist.com.hk
    Website providing reviews of Hong Kong shops, restaurants & services. Practical tips, facts and suggestions are available.
  • http://www.thestandard.com.hk
    The website offers local, world, business and sports news, and access to all sections including breaking news is free.

Interesting fact

Excluding Hong Kong, there are a total of 234 outlying islands that are included in the territory.
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