Hong Kong Immigration Planning Immigrant Life: Housing in Hong Kong is highly diverse, ranging from small residential units to large detached houses, spread across different districts. The following section introduces some of the more popular residential areas in Hong Kong, each favored by both locals and expatriates. Generally, individual clients tend to live in Central and its surrounding areas, which offer a vibrant urban lifestyle and nightlife; families with children often choose the Mid-Levels, as the area has more schools and larger residential units; management-level professionals often prefer The Peak and the Southern District of Hong Kong Island, where property prices are higher and consist mostly of luxury residences.
Chung Hom Kok
Chung Hom Kok is a quiet residential area located between Repulse Bay and Stanley. The area mainly features village houses and luxury villas. Rents are generally higher than in the Southern District, and villas often come with swimming pools and private gardens. The properties offer ample outdoor space and elegant courtyards, attracting many residents.
The area has a small supermarket, a dry cleaner, and a clinic. Most residents go to Stanley for shopping, which is about a five to ten-minute drive from Chung Hom Kok. The area has a well-developed transport network connecting to Central and other locations, and the Hong Kong International School is nearby.
Deep Water Bay
Deep Water Bay is located between Shouson Hill and Repulse Bay, offering open views and picturesque scenery. The area mainly consists of village houses and large private garden houses overlooking the Hong Kong Golf Club and Deep Water Bay Beach, with some residential units also available. The living environment is comfortable with convenient transportation; it takes about 20 minutes to reach commercial and shopping centers like Causeway Bay and Central via the Aberdeen Tunnel, providing a significant locational advantage.
Supermarkets, shops, and other facilities are within easy reach.
There are many international schools near Deep Water Bay, such as the Hong Kong International School on South Bay Road, South Island School on Nam Fung Road, and the Singapore and Canadian International Schools on Nam Long Shan Road.
Happy Valley
Happy Valley is famous for its racecourse. Residential types include large housing estates, traditional tenement buildings (tong lau), and serviced apartments suitable for short-term stays. Units at the foot of the hill offer magnificent views of the racecourse or the city. Many estates have their own leisure facilities and clubhouses, and members of the Hong Kong Jockey Club can enjoy exclusive clubhouse facilities.
The area features many different types of restaurants offering international cuisine, as well as numerous small bars and shops. Happy Valley is close to the entertainment and commercial hub of Causeway Bay, which can be reached in about 5 minutes by bus or minibus. Public transport in the area converges at Wong Nai Chung Gap Road.
The area is home to the French and Japanese International Schools, suitable for foreign students. The famous Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital is also located on Village Road.
Jardine's Lookout
Jardine's Lookout is situated above Happy Valley, nestled in the hills with a beautiful environment and a prime location overlooking the sparkling Victoria Harbour. Residential types in the area are mostly large luxury estates and detached houses, with a small number of low-rise properties.
Jardine's Lookout has a well-developed transport network, with direct access to Central in 10 minutes, Causeway Bay in 5 minutes, and Kowloon via the Cross-Harbour Tunnel. The area is covered by multiple minibus and bus routes, making it convenient for residents to travel to other districts.
The area includes supermarkets, delis, florists, post offices, and grocery stores, with French and Japanese International Schools nearby.
Mid-Levels Central
The Mid-Levels generally refers to the area above Central and below The Peak, extending east and west towards Garden Road. Due to its proximity to the Central business district and workplaces, the Mid-Levels Central area is very popular among expatriates in Hong Kong. The area features the world's longest outdoor covered escalator system, connecting Central to the Mid-Levels, which is very convenient. The residential area is adjacent to SoHo and Lan Kwai Fong, offering exciting nightlife and an endless supply of gourmet food.
Properties in Mid-Levels Central are mostly high-rise buildings, providing residential units of various sizes, surrounded by lush greenery and palm trees.
The area has many famous properties, with units that are spacious and well-ventilated; most buildings are equipped with swimming pools and sports facilities. From low-rise buildings, you can see the bustling city scene; from higher floors, you can enjoy views of Victoria Harbour; and from even higher positions in the Mid-Levels, you can see The Peak.
The area is home to the Matilda International Hospital and Canossa Hospital, as well as many international schools, such as Glenealy School, Island School, and Carmel School. Bowen Road, located between Garden Road and Kennedy Road, is lined with trees and is a moderate length, making it very popular with joggers.
Mid-Levels East
Mid-Levels East is located near Hong Kong Park and extends to Wong Nai Chung Gap Road. Housing types are mostly mid-rise buildings and luxury properties.
Rents for units on Kennedy Road are in the medium to low range for the area, suitable for singles or young couples. Units on Stubbs Road are mostly from older properties and are larger in size. The area is currently actively developing luxury properties. Units in the area have open views, overlooking Wan Chai, Happy Valley, and Causeway Bay, with some even having sea views.
You can walk from Kennedy Road to Hong Kong Park in 30 minutes and enter the trendy shopping center Pacific Place from there. You can also walk to Wan Chai via the Hopewell Centre.
There are many international schools near Mid-Levels East: Chinese International School, Bradbury School, and French International School.
There are three private hospitals in Mid-Levels East: Matilda International Hospital, Canossa Hospital, and Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital.
Mid-Levels West
Mid-Levels West is close to the Central business district and adjacent to SoHo and Lan Kwai Fong, making it particularly suitable for expatriates in Hong Kong. The area offers units with varying rents to suit different budgets, and many units have sea views. The living environment in Mid-Levels West is quiet, with many rest areas and playgrounds in the community, offering pleasant scenery.
The area has an 800-meter-long escalator system leading to Central, which takes about 20 minutes to complete the full journey, allowing you to reach Central more quickly.
Pok Fu Lam
Pok Fu Lam is located on the west side of Hong Kong Island and is a low-density residential area. The University of Hong Kong is located in Pok Fu Lam, and many dormitory buildings have been built in the area for teaching staff and students. There are many tenement buildings, village houses, and a few high-rise estates in the area, with a roughly equal mix of local and expatriate residents. Most units offer views of the outlying island of Lamma Island and Pok Fu Lam Country Park.
The area has convenient transportation and many shops, and there are two international schools: ESF West Island School and Kennedy School.
Repulse Bay
Repulse Bay is one of the largest beaches in Hong Kong and also one of the most popular, crowded with people on weekends. The beach at Repulse Bay has clear water and fine sand, shaded by green trees. The area has many seaside shops selling ice cream and swimming equipment.
There are two famous temples in the area, dedicated to the compassionate Kwun Yum and Tin Hau, the protector of fishermen, respectively. There are also statues of the Big Buddha and various deities placed in different temples. The area has a famous attraction, the Longevity Bridge; legend has it that crossing the bridge adds 3 days to one's life.
The area offers different types of accommodation, from small residential units to large detached houses, almost all of which have sea views.
Repulse Bay has a good transport network, and it takes only 30 minutes to reach Central by bus. The area is full of restaurants and many shops selling specialty foods.
The Hong Kong International School and South Island School are both located here.
Shouson Hill
Shouson Hill is located in the southern part of Hong Kong Island, near the Aberdeen Tunnel. Shouson Hill is one of Hong Kong's prestigious residential areas, with many low-rise estates and luxury villas. Most residences have private swimming pools and large green parks, providing a quiet and comfortable living environment. The area has beautiful scenery, where you can overlook Aberdeen and the South China Sea, and the nearby area is lush with trees, suitable for morning exercise enthusiasts.
The area has convenient transportation with multiple bus routes passing through, and other areas can be reached via the Aberdeen Tunnel and Deep Water Bay Road. There are not many public facilities in the area, and residents generally go to nearby communities for shopping, such as Repulse Bay and Hong Lok Yuen.
The famous Ocean Park, The Hong Kong Golf Club, the Aberdeen Marina Club, and Deep Water Bay Beach are all near Shouson Hill, which are very crowded and lively on holidays.
The international school near Shouson Hill is South Island School.
Stanley
Stanley is located on the Stanley Peninsula in the southern part of Hong Kong Island, south of Tai Tam, and is a famous tourist attraction. The area has a shopping center with parking, a supermarket, restaurants, a wine cellar, a bookstore, and various shops. On holidays, many locals and tourists come to the beach, shop at the Stanley Market, and dine at different restaurants. Within a 10-minute walk from the town center, you can find many stylish Western restaurants, Chinese restaurants, specialty seaside restaurants, bars, and cafes. Stanley Main Beach is one of the more popular beaches in Hong Kong, with plenty of sunshine, and is the venue for the annual Dragon Boat Races.
The area has many low-rise estates offering small units, as well as many luxury houses. There are tennis courts and swimming pool facilities nearby, as well as the Hong Kong International School.
The area has convenient transportation, with at least 6 bus routes to different locations in Central. Residents can find grocery stores, pharmacies, and post offices in the market to meet their daily needs.
Tai Hang
Tai Hang is located below Jardine's Lookout, near Causeway Bay and Happy Valley. Residential types in the area are mainly old tenement buildings, but in recent years, many luxury estates have been completed. Rents in the area vary, making it suitable for singles, young couples, or families.
The area has a diverse range of transport options, including buses, minibuses, and taxis. Residents can reach Causeway Bay MTR station in about 5 minutes by car, and reach Wan Chai and Central in about 5 to 10 minutes. There is also a cross-harbour tunnel nearby leading to Kowloon.
There are many international schools near the area, including the Chinese International School, Japanese International School, and French International School.
St. Paul's Hospital is located in the area.
Tai Tam
Tai Tam is located in the southeastern part of Hong Kong Island, adjacent to Stanley and Tai Tam Reservoir, and has a large country park.
Residential types in Tai Tam are mainly village houses and residential units, with many residences having independent gardens, private swimming pools, and clubhouse facilities. Most units have open views, overlooking the South China Sea. Because the American Club and the Hong Kong International School, which teaches an American curriculum, are located in the area, it attracts many Americans to live here.
The area is covered by multiple bus routes and taxi services, and it takes only a few minutes to reach Chai Wan MTR station. There are many shopping centers nearby, including grocery stores and laundries, as well as a large American-style supermarket.
In addition to the main residential and shopping areas, Tai Tam has other outdoor areas, such as Turtle Cove Beach.
Wan Chai
Wan Chai is located north of Admiralty and Causeway Bay and is one of the oldest districts in Hong Kong, with a mix of new and old buildings. The area near the Wan Chai waterfront is one of the central business districts on Hong Kong Island, with many Grade A office buildings and five-star hotels.
Residential buildings in the area are generally older, but with community redevelopment, many new buildings have been completed in recent years, providing a large number of residential units. In addition, the area also provides serviced apartments equipped with fitness facilities, swimming pools, saunas, tennis courts, squash courts, and children's play areas for residents.
Aberdeen
The scope of Aberdeen is defined as south of the Aberdeen Tunnel and north of the coastline, opposite Ap Lei Chau. The area is a natural typhoon shelter, and its main industry used to be fishing.
Between Aberdeen Praya Road and Wong Chuk Hang Road, there are many public housing estates, private residential buildings, and industrial buildings along the road, and there is a large shopping center near Aberdeen Main Road.
Ap Lei Chau is an island off Aberdeen, connected to the two districts by the Ap Lei Chau Bridge. It has been developed into a large residential area, among which South Horizons is the largest estate in the area, with vast harbor views and a large shopping center, Marina Square.
The area has convenient transportation, with buses and green minibuses connecting to other parts of Hong Kong, and it takes only 15 minutes to reach Causeway Bay and other urban areas via the Aberdeen Tunnel. There are many tourist attractions in the area, such as the Aberdeen Marina Club, Ocean Park, and the Jumbo Floating Restaurant.
Kowloon Station
This residential area is located above the MTR Kowloon Station and Olympic Station and is a new redevelopment project (Union Square) in line with the West Kowloon reclamation development. Starting from 2000, developers began building many residential and commercial buildings, including the WorldWay Centre (ICC), all of which were completed by 2010.
Transportation in the area is very convenient; Kowloon Station is an interchange station for the Tung Chung Line and the Airport Express, and there are many bus and minibus routes nearby, reaching Kowloon via the Western Harbour Crossing.
Due to its proximity to Central and the airport, many expatriates in Hong Kong like to live here. The area has many famous luxury development projects, such as The Arch, The HarbourSide, The Waterfront, The Cullinan, and The Sorrento, all of which have stunning sea views and are highly sought after.
The area has the tallest building in Hong Kong - the WorldWay Centre, which houses many multinational companies. The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, which has the world's highest hotel lobby, also moved here from Central.
Elements shopping mall is located on the lower floors of the WorldWay Centre and is a high-end shopping center with an ice rink, cinema, parking, and various high-end fashion stores, making it very popular with foreigners.
Kowloon Tong
Located at the foot of Lion Rock, Kowloon Tong is between Kowloon City and Sham Shui Po. The area has well-planned urban development and is a low-density residential area with a quiet environment, popular among the middle class. Many celebrities, tycoons, and corporate executives have moved into high-end detached houses on La Salle Road and Oxford Road.
There are many international and local schools in the area, such as the American International School, Australian International School, Delia School of Canada, King George V School, and Beacon Hill School.
Kowloon Tong is an interchange station for the MTR Kwun Tong Line and East Rail Line, and the Festival Walk shopping mall is located above the MTR station.
Clear Water Bay
Clear Water Bay is located north of Tseung Kwan O, within the Sai Kung District. Because of its beautiful environment, beaches, and country parks, it is also known as the
