Thinking, thinking...

Tess blogged about being willing to leave Hong Kong but not Pokfulam… and that she is processing. Here’s why. Three years ago we seriously considered moving to Sai Kung and looked for property to buy. In general there is more space for less money. We could likely get a house. I know Sai Kung is not everybody’s cup of tea, but we seriously thought about it. We viewed at least 100 properties online and 30 in the flesh. One property caught our eye. We saw it twice: once by ourselves and once with the kids. The kids loved it but the area is somewhat isolated. Tess and I said to each other, “Not quite right, but IF there was a house built immediately in front of that house, it might be perfect.” So we said, “No,” to the disappointment of the delightful realtor because it really is a charming village.

Flash forward three years later shortly after the July snowball fight in Canada. I’m on the phone late one Hong Kong night with Tess back in Canada who says, “I think it’s time to start thinking about Sai Kung again because the kids really need more space.” (I thought: “Start thinking again? Who stopped thinking about it?”) Having just spent a week in their own rented house with a huge yard, and then back on Lake Okanagan for three weeks, the kids were thriving in the wide-open space.

The next day for kicks and giggles I did a quick search. The first property to pop up looked much like the one we’d said “no” to and listed through the same agent. I email Delightful Realtor and asked her if it was the same house. “No,” she replied, “It is a new house, built immediately in front of that house.” Okay, so that’s weird.

Once Tess and the kids returned to Hong Kong we drove out to look at the property, along with four others to bring our in-the-flesh total to 35. The house we like is a shell, with an occupancy permit – ideal for renovating according to one’s tastes. (Read slightly easier and cheaper – no walls to knock down during reno.) There is a plot of land attached to the house (about 1,000 sq ft) so it would come with a small yard. The whole village is surrounded by woods for the kids to explore (one of the things they love about Canada) and a deserted road. Yes, the village is isolated, but not that bad compared to other parts of Sai Kung or Clearwater Bay: off the beaten path you have to work it out. Most people who live in Sai Kung rave about it. Most people who live in Pokfulam rave about it. (At left: view from the third floor master bedroom.)

Back to the village: the deserted road is not a thoroughfare. Essentially it forms the street into the village, plus another half click, and then comes to an end. (It’s politically incorrect to say “dead end” but there is in fact a teeny cemetery about a fifteen-minute walk from the village.) A trail follows onwards from the errrr, end. Eventually the trail comes to an end because it turns back into a road accessing another major road... from the other side. I am thinking ahead at the possibility that someday these two roads might connect and that…  would be huge.

So Tess and I are processing this situation, weighing the pros and cons to determine the way forward. The fact this would be a HUGE, long project is not lost on me. The kids love the idea of moving into this house but they despise the idea of switching schools and being separated from their friends. (BTW, one of the girls' good friends just moved to Sai Kung.)  "But just think, playdates would be three days long: arrive on Friday night and depart Monday morning!"  (Their friends' parents love that idea!) Truthfully, only Sebastian is old enough for this move to have a big impact. Although, my parents switched classes on me when I was in kindergarten and I harboured a grudge for a few decades. Silly really. For the triplets, new friends would emerge quickly and eventually for Sebastian. Jasper is bereft at the idea of anything changing in his life if it involves effort. Carys is digging in her heals a little. Sela has already packed her bags.

Comments

[knobody]

it looks lovely and the view is gorgeous, but can you get cheerios there?

[Jill Swann]

Opportunities and choices - sounds exciting, no matter the end decision. I know from experience we moved every three or four years until high school....with three other siblings I think we grew closer and learned how to make friends. The place does sound lovely....and so exciting for the kids. A hard choice indeed.....one that you can reassure yourself you can always leave if you find it doesn't work out. Right? Good luck, no matter what you choose, it will be the right choice for you, but I do love the irony of the house being built in front of the previous house.....pretty cool!

[Charles]

Thanks, Jill, and Shayna, the house probably costs less than a mega-box of Cheerios bought anywhere in Hong Kong!

[Maureen Lyons aka Mo aka Grandmother]

This whole might-happen consideration is so exciting. There is much I like about this possible move. Am I a Pollyanna to hope that the air might be cleaner for Jasper's lungs? I am pretty sure the children will adapt as kids are so good at doing. As far as I can see the biggest challenge will be to both you and Tess - longer drives for you both to work and the isolation. And I know the latter challenge has already been addressed by you to ensure that Tess will not be isolated. So!! I wait with breathless anticipation to see how this plays out : ) My prayers for direction and wisdom are with you. So exciting! xox

[GDadLyons]

Sela has packed her bags??? I thought that was Cary's department.?

Love to all....GDad Blake

[Auntie Pammie]

It looks fantastic!! If it works for the family, Go for it!!
Love you all.
Edd,Pam, and Alex xo

[Paul Munder]

Just Do It.

[Trinie]

Any updates????

[Cosima]

I don't know if you made the move or not, but from my own experience I can only recommend moving to the Hong Kong boonies. Yes, sometimes I miss the packed side-walks of Hong Kong island, but on the plus side you have lots of green space around you, wonderful country parks just minutes away, and still enough people to not feel lonely. It will probably be easier to come to know them than your neighbors living two floors down in your island apartment.

Finding a good school for your children is of course a deciding factor, but we are lucky in that an international primary school is located in the same village in which we live. And there is a wonderful international community originating around the school.

We didn't buy the house, but rent it to stay flexible.

The biggest plus for me is the garden around the house, the hiking trail starting fifty meters away from the house, and the lack of construction noise... bliss

And Hong Kong island is only an half hour drive away, if the urge grips me.