Moving to hong kong

[Camilla12345]

Any guidance on best place to live in Hong Kong with two children aged 3 1/2 and 2. Possibly moving before Christmas. Want to be near the beach. Husband will be Working In central so dont want tok long commute. Thanks

[Laptopwieldingharpy]

lots of options depending on budget.
what do you mean by not a long commute?how long? public transport? car? taxi?
what sort of of space/sqftage do you require?
Facilities or not?
How mobile will YOU be with the little ones? (car? public transport? walking distance to shops?).
You can be right on the beach (5mn walk) or in town and 15mn to the beach. so its all relative….

[Camilla12345]

Thanks for reply. Husband Would like commute less than an hour but doesn't mind whether car or public transport. Children pretty easy. Would like to have shops to walk to and places I can take children to meet people.

[Laptopwieldingharpy]

Did you start looking at school options for your eldest? That really is the priority.

[makesomenoise]

Pre-schools may well be a big head-ache for you - places are like gold dust and hugely expensive. Look to negotiate school fees with your husband's employer and see if they offer a debenture for primary.

Locations to consider with beach access and

[Laptopwieldingharpy]

Yes discovery bay is a great community. 20mn ferry ride into the city.
You have to be prepared to have your eldest accepted in a school off DB and on the ferry & bus to/back from school. But don't worry he will be one of many.

Clearwater bay & sai kung are great options too with lots of school options as many of the international school are phased to move into new campuses that side of HK.

On Hong kong island, happy valley/tai hang is great to be walking distance to shops. Great balance between local grocers and artisan french delis. Excellent transport, 10mn to work by tram/bus/taxi etc...& only 10mn drive onto the beaches of southside.
On the beach, try shouson hill, repulse bay, stanley. More expensive and taxi/car/bus only. 15-40mn into central.

2 goid tools:


hong kong homes

&

squarefoot

You should the FB group hong kong moms. It works like instant messaging!!! There's always someone to give you specific info on anything!

Really, you need to start looking fir pre-scools and bear in mind that your eldest will be elligible for the common Y1 entrance 2015 at ESF. You must apply strictly in september BUT as far as i know you need an address as they operate by catchment. You should call email to ask about late registration for relocations from overseas.
Also, just to add, if you eant to stick strictly to the british curriculum schools, places trilly are scarce with established waitlists.
Don't drop the ball on this it really is a priority.

[Camilla12345]

Thank you for comments. Yes we have started looking at preschools. Any comments re woodlands or sunshine. Do the pre-schools also have long wait list. both children currently attend nursery 4 days a week so think they will need to be in a pre school asap as used to seeing other children and having the structure. We also have looked at ESF for 2015 primary as aware have to apply 1 September. If you apply in the time frame can you still end up on a waiting list. We are hoping to have package finalised in next couple of weeks and then can focus a bit more on location and schools as budget still unclear.

[Camilla12345]

If eldest had to go off to school on ferry would a nanny take him? Is that what is normal or do I take him.

[AggressiveBunting]

You'd typically have a helper and they would take him on the ferry. Be aware that pre- school is usually only 3 hrs a day and unaccompanied options limited until they are 2.6, but sounds like your youngest will be that age by the time you get here. Pre- school places can be a drama but if you're prepared to accept afternoon slots you'll find somewhere. A few places also offer extended days. May be worth looking for options that have a P1 option in case you don't get a school place for September 2015. ESF is very competitive and with no priority it is very possible that you get wait listed even if you apply in the window. Kellett is unlikely without a debenture as they take apps from birth and have 300+ kids listed for 110 places. Nord Anglia is a new British curriculum school but afaik they start in Yr 1 so you'd only be eligible for Sep 2016. There is a woman called Ruth Benny who is a schools consultant and can offer good advice. She runs a FB group called Hong Kong schools so recommend joining that. Hth

[Laptopwieldingharpy]

Just received the latest newsletter from top schools HK

Thought you might find usefull info
www.topschools.hk/

Ruth Benny is indeed the go to person. She can answer quick questions on that FB page or provide full consultancy.

[CruCru]

Watching with interest. DH has just suggested Hong Kong (but nothing definite). We have a 2 year 10 month old and a 9 month old.

[Camilla12345]

Please can someone join me to the Hong Kong moms Facebook page. I submitted a join request. We are moving beginning of October many thanks Camilla

[Laptopwieldingharpy]

Not sure how to do this.....maybe PM me your name and email and will contact the administrator for you?