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Bel Air on the Peak
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| posted by mander 868 days ago |
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Does anyone live in Bel Air? We are moving from US in June with 2 1/2 year old and not sure what this complex is like for small children.
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| posted by hongkonger 868 days ago (edited 868 days ago) |
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hi and welcome,
I don't live there, however I can tell you:
1) It is NOT on the peak - it is close to the Cyberport, South of HK Island. The "Peak" is a pretty expensive area on HK island.
2) The advertisement show glorious views of South of france, it is NOT located in the south of France, although there is sea view frontage.
3) Where will you be working? You might find yourself a long way from your workplace.
We will consume 85 million barrels of oil today, what's going to be left for tomorrow?
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| posted by Gum Tree 868 days ago |
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From friends, Bel Air apartments tend to be pretty small for what you pay. There are better apartments for the same dollar in this area - Pok Fu Lam. Since you normally have to sign up for at least one year and usually two on leases, the best thing is to spend a month or so in a serviced apartment and have a look yourself.
And totally agree with hongkonger ... those advertisements would be regarded as actionable in the US and other countries as totally false advertising!!!!!
"Marooned on a rock with 80,000 and now 90,000 alcoholics and counting"
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| posted by n/a 867 days ago |
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you can sign the lease for 2 yrs, but it is not legally binding. you can leave after 1 yr if you wish. and you should negotiate for 1 mths bond not 2. and all rents in hk are a bloody rip off. about time this pathetic gov did something about it, yeh right.
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| posted by mander 867 days ago |
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Thanks for the input. My husband will be working in Central. I agree that Bel Air seems pricey for the size and after having toured there in March I was confused by the website! We are also considering Parkview. Our concern with Parkview is that it seems a little further away from everything. We are planning on living in the serviced apartments at Parkview so we can test it out first.
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| posted by harley 867 days ago |
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quote:
Originally posted by mander
Thanks for the input. My husband will be working in Central. I agree that Bel Air seems pricey for the size and after having toured there in March I was confused by the website! We are also considering Parkview. Our concern with Parkview is that it seems a little further away from everything. We are planning on living in the serviced apartments at Parkview so we can test it out first.
Bel Air has spectacular views ... but I found it quite isolated since the complex is not even 50% occupied (at least that is what it was last June when we first looked there).
My husband and I live in Parkview and it really is only a 10 minute cab ride to Wan Chai and 15-20 minutes to Central ... it truly is not that far ... if you have children - they will LOVE Parkview ... there is so much for the kids to do ... I myself love the flat we have ... but i do feel a bit isolated here too ... you can not hear a thing here - so it does feel a bit isolated as well but if you have any specific questions - let me know and I will be happy to provide my views on Parkview ...
I am an American - born and bred. And I wouldn't want it any other way.
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| posted by mander 866 days ago |
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What is Wan Chai? Is the grocery store pretty good at Parkview? What about the restaurants - do you and your husband eat there often? We are considering bringing our moutnain bicycles with us - are there decent places to ride?
Sorry for so many questions - just met with the movers today and have to decide what to bring. I am concerned about where to store our bikes if we bring them and also my son's big play toys, like his tricycle and little tykes basketball hoop.
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| posted by westdoor 866 days ago |
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Wan Chai is one of the main bar / restaurant areas.
Suggest you get yourself a Hong Kong guide book (Lonely Planet or Rough Guide) as a start to get a better feel for different areas and their locations
I have a cunning plan ........
     
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| posted by FOTH 866 days ago |
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There are some good paths and trails around Parkview (indeed all over Hong Kong), but you need to be aware that off-road mountain-biking in the Country Parks requires a permit and is only permitted on designated trails (none of which is adjacent to Parkview and only one of which is on HK Island).
Details here: http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_mou/cou_vis_mou.html
Wanchai is the place that has a good chance of wrecking your marriage.
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| posted by Load Toad 866 days ago |
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And your liver. Probably both. No access for Mountain bikes last I checked butthe stairs down to The 'tuna would be a laugh.
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| posted by geraldo 866 days ago |
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hard to believe ... did you check the world map where HK is ??
don't forget your skiing gear, fur coats and bring special fire proof blankets in case one the 600 volcanoes erupts 
There are 10 kinds of people. Those who can read binary and those who don't
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| posted by harley 864 days ago |
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quote:
Originally posted by mander
What is Wan Chai? Is the grocery store pretty good at Parkview? What about the restaurants - do you and your husband eat there often? We are considering bringing our moutnain bicycles with us - are there decent places to ride?
Sorry for so many questions - just met with the movers today and have to decide what to bring. I am concerned about where to store our bikes if we bring them and also my son's big play toys, like his tricycle and little tykes basketball hoop.
From a district point of view, Parkview or Island South is just south of Wan Chai - which is were you go for bars and nitelife. There is a Park-n-Shop and it is one of the larger ones on the island - it has a pretty good mix of ethnic foods ... you feel like you are in a U.S. supermarket ... it is good for all the basics ... and so convenient ... and they deliver too!
I am not crazy about the Parkview restaurants - the Hotel Restaurant has buffets for lunch and breakfast - similar to all the main hotel chains ... there is selection but doesn't taste that great. I prefer cooking breakfast or going to the Marriott - luv there spread.
During the summer - you can get burgers and fries and sandwiches and stuff out by the pool - it is not so bad - not quite coney island but it will do in a pinch ...
We have also eaten at the fancy restaurant (forgot the name of it)- very intimate and superb food - menu changes seasonally. There are only 7 tables plus a private party room.
There is also a chinese restaurant that I have not tried.
Oh and on Sat nights - weather permitting - they do BBQ by the pool - looks kinda cruise ship tacky but it isn't bad.
I am an American - born and bred. And I wouldn't want it any other way.
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| posted by catzeyez 864 days ago |
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Don't they have shuttle buses that go to Central?
Some men were borned dicks.
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| posted by harley 864 days ago |
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quote:
Originally posted by catzeyez
Don't they have shuttle buses that go to Central?
yup which is very convenient - goes to Pacific Place and the Star Ferry and it is 15 hkd a trip ...
plus there are always plenty of taxis (except during severe rain storms)
I am an American - born and bred. And I wouldn't want it any other way.
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| posted by Load Toad 864 days ago |
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During rain storms they offer a canoe service.
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| posted by mander 863 days ago (edited 863 days ago) |
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Geraldo: Curious to know what part is hard to believe? I read somewhere (can't remember where since there is sooo much info out there) that there were bike trails and on my trip to HK in March I noticed several bicyclists and wasn't sure if there were any offroad trails.
Thanks for all the great info! Glad to know the bus is pretty cheap.
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| posted by mel 799 days ago |
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Hi Harley,
OUr family is moving to H.K in 6 weeks and considered Bel-Air and Park View. I want to live somewhere great for my 2 boys (2 and 5). In your opinion is Parkview better? Why did you choose it over Bel-Air. Are there many other kids at parkview? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
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| posted by mander 774 days ago |
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Mel:
Have you decided between Bel Air and Parkview yet? My husband arrived last week in HK and is living in a serviced apartment in Parkview. He looked at flats at both places again and is still torn between the two. We are looking for a three bedroom as we have a 2 1/2 year old son and hope to have another child soon. We found that there are plenty of flats available in Phase 3 of Bel Air but not so many in Phase 1 or 2 that fit our criteria. We also heard that the pool for Phase 3 isn't open yet and are not sure when it will be.
Our concern about Parkview is the apartments that he viewed weren't cleaned up yet and were pretty dirty. I have heard that the landlords clean them up nicely but am not convinced that will be the case.
Any thoughts would be very appreciated. I am moving first week of August and plan on living in the serviced apartment for a few weeks but would really love to make a decision soon.
Thanks.
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