PROPERTY EXAMPLES

EXPAT LIVING

SETTING UP HOME • INTERIOR DÉCOR • THINGS TO DO

CITY GUIDE 2017/18

C TY GUIDE

A L L Y O U N E E D T O N A V I G A T E L I F E I N T H E 8 5 2

Annual$28

CHOOSING SCHOOLS • HEALTHCARE • DINING ... & MORE!

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19/7/17 3:25PM

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PROPERTY EXAMPLES

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HONG KONG PARKVIEW EXPAT LIVING DEC ‘16/JAN ‘17

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HONG KONG SOTHERBY’S EXPAT LIVING APR/MAY ‘16

HOME&PROPERTY

MARKET UPDATE D id we write “2016: Right Place at the Right Time” in our previous Market Update? Well, we did – and we stand by

The secondary market has seen a number of interesting transactions after the Lunar Year, however the number has failed to exceed the registered transactions in Q1 2015. In the leasing market, prices are keeping steady form. There are some landlords – be they individual and large owners – who are more eager to have their premises rented out and are unusually considering revising their asking prices; however, this is not a tendency the market is seeing but rather an exception. Leases have seen better months and better years in Hong Kong, yet the peak season has just started and we can’t wait to see new products coming into the market before the summer and introducing them to our clients.

it! With a rather slow sales market for Q1 2016, the expected number of sales transactions after CNY disappointed more than one; however, chances of recovery and light at the end of the tunnel are promising. Some developers are offering cash rebates to boost their sales in different projects. According to analysts, a recent trend – with the aim being to boost sales – is developers offering first and second mortgages to their buyers. Almost 20 percent of transactions are estimated to have been closed with buyers accepting developers’ mortgages.

Letizia Casalino, Hong Kong Sotheby’s International Realty

HOT PROPERTIES

COUNTRY LIVING DISTRICT: Tai Po SALE PRICE: HK$13M SIZE: 2,100 sq. ft BEDROOMS: 4 (2 ensuite) BATHROOMS: 3.5

Make this exquisite, three-storey house your own dream home. It offers plenty of internal and outdoor space amongst a growing expat community, with easy access to the CBD via Tai Lam Tunnel and a nearby Club. Vacant possession; viewings are welcomed.

To view properties, call Hong Kong Sotheby’s International Realty at +852 3108 2108

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JONES LANG LASALLE EXPAT LIVING DEC ‘16/JAN ‘17

HOME & PROPERTY

When it comes to helping expats find a place to live in Hong Kong, few could argue that there is anyone better placed than STELLA ABRAHAM, Head of Residential Leasing and Relocation Services at Jones Lang LaSalle Limited (JLL).

BY MELISSA STEVENS

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Stella has an insider’s knowledge of the city and has also experienced living in the UK and the US before relocating back to Hong Kong with a young child. So it’s safe to say she has an intimate understanding of the issues facing expats.

looking for something different after their first lease ends. “In Hong Kong, life changes very quickly,” she says. “You may have come in on a corporate budget with HK$150,000 a month, you may have had a baby, you may want to go to a low-rise now, or you may want to move out to a different location.” There’s also a growing number of expats looking for property away from traditional enclaves as many companies set up headquarters on Kowloon side. “People are being a bit more adventurous, particularly with schools opening up on that side,” she says. But with these new opportunities come new considerations for families. “Life changes and that’s OK, as long as you have someone to help you through it.”

The team is also able to share detailed market knowledge with clients, thanks to JLL’s well-established relationships with both corporate and individual landlords. This comes in handy when trying tomatch people to specific properties of interest. “I can have those conversations surrounding whether or not a property will come up in two months, and I can then say to the client, ‘Okay, stay in a serviced apartment for a month and just hang there, and we will get you in’,” she says. Stella adds that JLL adapts to meet the needs of its clients, many of whom have been impacted by the demise of big expat salary packages. “That’s a trend that we have seen come about rapidly in Hong Kong, and it’s much more of an emotional game, as it’s now your money that you’re spending here, not your employer’s,” she says. This change has meant that, while they predominantly deal in the HK$50,000 to $200,000 monthly rental bracket, they now also have clients looking in the HK$30,000 market. She says her team has a good understanding of the different areas of Hong Kong and what is achievable. The other development in the rental market is what Stella refers to as “second- time Hong Kongers” – seasoned expats

She now leads a team with a combined experience of 170 years that provides services in property search, tenancy management, landlord services, orientation and schooling consultation to both new arrivals and established expats. Stella likens the experience of relocating to fitting all the pieces of a puzzle together. That puzzle becomes particularly complex when you throw children and schools into the mix, as she did when she returned to HK with her seven-year-old son in tow. Stella acknowledges the Hong Kong property market is a complex one for newcomers, but JLL aims to give guidance and support, and reduce the stress of searching for a property. “Our service is more client-focused than others,” she says. “We have targets, but I want people to have long-term relationships. That’s more important to us than the next deal.”

To read the first installment of JLL’s regular property updates in Expat Living, turn the page – and happy house- hunting!

6/F, Three Pacific Place, 1 Queen’s Road East, Admiralty 2846 5797 | jllresidential.com/hk

55 DEC16-JAN17

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EXPAT LIVING CITY GUIDE ‘17 JONES LANG LASSALLE

MOVING IN

Take a look at any real estate agency’s not i ceboa rd and you’ll soon realise that figuring out where to live in HK isn’t as straightforward as choosing between a h o u s e o r a n apa r tment . Mos t expats sign up for a two-year lease, so it’s worth taking the time to figure out which home suits you best. We asked the Residential Leasing a n d R e l o c a t i o n Services team at JLL Hong Kong to break down the options for us. Where toLive?

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EXPATLIVING.HK QUEEN’S GARDEN

https://expatliving.hk/what-its-like-to-live-on-old-peak-road/

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QUEEN’S GARDEN EXPAT LIVING CITY GUIDE ‘17

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QUEEN’S GARDEN EXPAT LIVING CITY GUIDE ‘17

MOVING IN

Looking for a home in Hong Kong that ticks all your boxes? Here’s a snapshot of what life is like at Queen’s Garden on Old Peak Road. LIVINGON OldPeakRoad

Room to move With floor-to-ceiling windows, each apartment has a magnificent view. There are 173 units across three towers, and apartments range from one bedroom to four bedrooms, with all the mod-cons, plus high ceilings and loads of space in each. While every apartment has a dedicated parking space, there is also a regular resident’s The recreational facilities at this apartment complex really give it an edge over many others. There are barbecue areas with stunning views, a heated swimming pool, gym equipment that would put many commercial gyms to shame, and an aerobics room for yoga classes. Also on offer are golf classes, taekwondo and swimming lessons, while the complex’s spa facilities help shuttle bus to Central. Fitness and fun

Queen’s Garden is managed by Eton Properties. For leasing enquiries, contact 9338 7380 or leasing@queensgarden.com. 9 Old Peak Road, Mid-Levels. queensgarden.com Queen’s Garden is fantastic for families. It has a well-equipped playroom in the clubhouse area for younger children, while its Mid-Levels location is close to a number of international schools. Regular activities for young residents are organised throughout the year on holidays like Christmas and Halloween. There’s also a green lawn area where the kids can run around outside. Don’t be surprised if you barely see them once you settle in! of opportunities to enjoy the sense of a close-knit community. The clubhouse area provides a spot to catch up with neighbours for a chat, and is the venue for regular social functions organised bymanagement. For an outdoors get-together, the building’s sky garden on the 23rd floor is also popular as a place to enjoy views of the city or fireworks. Catering for the kids

make every day feel like a holiday. A sense of community

With only two apartments per floor, privacy isn’t an issue at Queen’s Garden, yet there are still plenty

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HONG KONG GOLF & TENNIS ACADEMY (NWD) EXPAT LIVING CITY GUIDE ‘17

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HONG KONG GOLF & TENNIS ACADEMY (NWD) EXPAT LIVING CITY GUIDE ‘17

HAPPY & HEALTHY

There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in a sport here, but most require a certain skill level. The recently established Hong Kong Golf & Tennis Academy (HKGTA) in Sai Kung offers something for all abilities, and the chance to learn while you play. When you drive up to the gate at HKGTA, the view is quite unexpected. Nestled amongst garden centres at the foot of the hills, surrounded by greenery, the Academy rises up like an oasis. The huge nets of the driving range are the first thing you see from the road, but these are just a small part of the massive Morroccan- inspired facilities, designed by Robert Stern. And the options for sport and recreation are many and varied: indoor and outdoor tennis courts, a gym, dining venues, indoor and outdoor kids’ zones and six swimming pools, as well as a kids’ academy, function rooms and more. HKGTA brings together two world-renowned training academies, the Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf and the Bruguera Tennis Academy, with instructors on hand to train patrons – from absolute beginners to professionals – with tailored programmes. All that’s required is a love for the game and a willingness to learn. To facilitate the development of each person’s skill set, the Academy offers a total wellness approach, and a variety of leisure experiences. The Fivelements sports wellness retreat offers a full range of treatments to help athletes recover and relax after a day of training. On top of all this, there are plenty of activities to keep the little ones engaged – apart from tennis and golf lessons – from family- friendly barbecues to school holiday workshops and camps. And, if you want to make a weekend of it after your lessons, there’s even onsite accommodation. HITTING IT OUT OF THE PARK

To take a tour or enquire about admission, email enquiry@hkgta. com or call 3110 8823. 81 Tai Chung Hau, Sai Kung. hkgta.com

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GETAWAY EXPAT LIVING AUG/SEPT ‘16

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

LUXURIOUSURBANLIVING: 6 reasons to choose Gateway Apartments Whether you’re visiting U U L

1 The 499 apartments range designed and with a timeless appeal, and with unobstructed views of Hong Kong’s famous skyline, including the lush 13.3-hectare Kowloon Park and the dramatic scenery of Victoria Harbour. 2 A host of globally well-known attractions are at the doorstep of Gateway Apartments; Harbour City, a renowned shopping and commercial complex in Kowloon, the Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station (just minutes away), the museums of TST, the historic Yau Ma Tei district, business- oriented Central, and entertaining Causeway Bay. from 712-square-foot studios to 2,931-square-foot three-bedroom penthouses, all elegantly

Hong Kong for business or leisure, or you live here and you need the convenience and comfort of a serviced apartment for a time, Gateway Apartments make you feel right at home. Here are six reasons why this property in the heart of the prime shopping and entertainment centre of Hong Kong is likely to appeal.

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SAVILLS EXPAT LIVING JUN/JUL ‘16

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GRANT PROPERTY EXPAT LIVING FEB/MAR ‘16

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BAY RESIDENCE EXPAT LIVING FEB/MAR ‘16

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