I am luckier than most when it comes to living space in Hong Kong. 545sq is considered a big space for two people here. Despite the high ceilings, I feel stifled. I never knew how much I valued space until Hong Kong. I always thought that it would be great to downsize because there would be less maintenance. But the reality is not so.
Outside it is much worse. NYC Midtown lunch hour is Hong Kong normal hours. Sometimes I am swimming in a sea of people. The sideswalks are always crowded as is the MTR. This is especially bad during the rainy days where other people’s umbrellas are always poking at you. Space is so precious in Hong Kong.
Crowded MTR on a normal Saturday afternoon @ Hong Kong Station
The only place where one can have lots of space and quiet is in the upscale restuarants or hotel lobbies. The park would be nice if the mosquitos would quit biting me. No less than 5 quarter sized bites whenever I sit down for more than half an hour. It is no wonder that the parks are quite empty most of the time.
No city is perfect, but the lack of living space and personal space are among the huge downsides of living in Hong Kong.
I agree! Too many people, too little space. We’re heading to NYC next week, and I’m looking forward to bringing my boy to run around in Central Park. I remember buying our first rollerblades on our first stay in NYC (in ’07, before our boy was even in the picture) and rollerblading from downtown up to Central Park and back again. This isn’t our first trip to NYC, but I’d still appreciate any tips on where to eat (preferably family-friendly as I doubt we’ll be able to get a babysitter). Thanks in advance!
People might complain that NYC apartments are small, but at least New Yorkers have tons of outdoor space.
Check out my NYC favorites page. While the restaurants are not exactly kid-friendly, they are not kid-unfriendly. =) Email me if you need more specific suggesstions.
Super envious that you will be in NYC. Enjoy!
Even windowshopping (or windowlicking as they say in Paris – but I think that sounds disgusting and graphic albeit very accurate) – anyway, even browsing online at HK apartments, you never really get that much fun because it is obvious that the spaces are really small even for four million dollar apartments even penthouses in midlevels. It doesn’t feel you are spending your money wisely. Even stand alone buildings look dreadfully laid out unlike the peranikan townhouses in Singapore, Malaysia that look like Cantonese shopkeeper buildings.
Oh, well, who knows this jewel box will be sustained when all of China still has yet to put their best foot forward. I really hate hot weather. Maybe Shandong will be a nice place after it is fumigated and sanitized of bad elements.
I didn’t like Central Park when I was there but I did like the skating rink in Times Square – I wish we had loads of those indoor rinks conveniently located.
The nice things I noticed is that HK developer usually insist on ventilated bathrooms and kitchens that are usually enclosable AND their air conditioning units have a designated outside balcony space to make repairs and replacements less stressful and that is NOT the case in NYC.
Ventilated bathrooms and kitchens is a positive. But it does not make up for the cheap faucets/toilets and corian countertops they install in million dollar apartments.
Even new bathrooms look decrepit. DIY shows and Home Depot liberated nesters in America. HK needs that.
The people who live in the million dollar apartments could afford a new bathroom, but since they do not have people over they would rather spend the money on luxury goods.
except for that second apartment on your episode but that was way far
Maybe there is a secret underground city under Hong Kong:
http://www.theatlanticcities.com/design/2012/08/hong-kong-city-without-ground/3000/
I try to use the bridges and underground walkways as much as possible. Did you know I was able to walk from the Shun Tuk Center to Wanchai without walking on the streets of HK?