Living in Discovery Bay

Living in Discovery Bay with Richard Hainsworth

My wife and I moved to Discovery Bay six years ago from where we had been living on Lamma Island. Now that we have two young boys, we plan to remain here for the foreseeable future.

We were attracted to the serene, green lifestyle that Discovery Bay offers, especially being only 30 minutes from Central by ferry. With its many parks, playgrounds, and countryside walks, it is the perfect place to bring up young children. Of course, that works best if you have good educational facilities on offer and D Bay's two International schools fit the bill.

The Mix

We have such a diverse mix of locals and expats from all corners of the world. We love the eclectic mix and strong expat community. There is something for everyone with Discovery Bay’s wide variety of property types, from detached luxury houses to studios in apartment buildings. Here we have many CEOs from the banking and finance industry, teaching professionals, established business and start-up owners, and so on.

It is a very social place and we find our children at times struggle to fit in all their play dates and activities into the week. We have a wide range of friends, reflecting Discovery Bay's mix, most of whom we have met through our children’s school and social activities.

What’s it Like to Live Here? 

After a busy day working in the city, I always find it so comforting to get back to Discovery Bay. The fact that there are no private cars means cleaner air quality, more peace and quiet, making it a safer and secure place for our children.

With plenty of parks, playgrounds, a terrific beach, and several countryside walks, it’s too easy not to want to leave.

There is a really great sense of community spirit with many events held throughout the year, including Picnic in the Park, Team Fear with up to several hundred kids participating, and go-cart racing.

The array of teams and clubs is incredible. There’s every kind of sport and hobby imaginable for the kids, from football to judo, acting school to Girl Guides and Boy Scouts. There are so many “get fit” opportunities for adults, with gyms, football, and team sports, hiking, water sports, tennis, squash, and so on. There are many clubs where it’s very easy to network and I should not forget to mention the DB Golf Club. This is a premium-rated golf course and club with three 9 hole courses with the most stunning views of the Harbour and out to sea. The clubhouse has tennis courts and a swimming pool and offers accommodation on site. They have some very nice restaurants and bars to relax in and a great pro shop on site.

My good friend Adam and I established the Vikings football Club www.vikings,hk , 4 years ago and now have 100 or more children from 2 to 12, playing Football in Dbay every week. It’s a hobby but a professional one, with ex-UK professionals running our coaching.

For the keen sailors (of which there are many here), we have the upmarket marina and yacht club which has many resort-style facilities. They have a host of sporting activities outside of water sports and a beautiful pool for the family members and it’s a good place to go kayaking on the weekends. For the walkers, with or without their dog, there are many great trails in the surrounding hillside, or it’s just nice to take a leisurely stroll along the beachfront.

The beach is popular with sunbathers and sailors alike and usually, there are a few volleyball nets up for the sporty crowd.

The kids love the beach playground with its swings, slides, and zip wire.

Excellent Amenities

We are very fortunate to have two excellent educational schools right here in Discovery Bay - Discovery College and Discovery Bay International School as well as a local system primary school. There are a wide range of kindergartens and daycare centres all around the area.

We have two well-stocked supermarkets, where you can buy pretty much everything, including a lot of imported brands for the expats. Both will deliver groceries to your door, which is a blessing when you’ve got young kids. There’s also a good selection of convenience stores about.

Eating Out and Entertainment

There are many international restaurants and bars, including Spanish, Italian, Indian, and Korean, most of whom also deliver or can organise take-out. The bars are popular and on most weekends, you will often find one of the expat bands playing to the DB crowd. At Hemingway’s, we can often be found at a popular weekend hang out with a great atmosphere, a happy hour, and interesting vegan bar snacks. When we are not at Hemingway’s, we may well be at Solero, the Spanish restaurant enjoying taps at happy hour.

Convenience

There is a ferry service connecting Discovery Bay main plaza with the Central Pier, taking 25 minutes. The service is regular and runs till late all week and weekend. For Kowloon, we have a bus service with a direct route to Sunny Bay or Tung Chung, and for the airport, we have a 20-minute direct bus service. There is also a taxi rank In the North plaza. If you have never been to Discovery Bay, you may not know that we have no private cars. As well as the internal bus service, people can rent or buy golf buggies!

What Would be Your Advice to People About Buying or Leasing Property Here?

Buying executive homes in Discovery Bay, as anywhere, requires obtaining good and accurate advice. Ensure you research the town well and work out which areas within DB suit your commute, education, and leisure requirements. Make sure you use a trusted, professional real estate agent that you feel comfortable with who will best look after your interests.

At Engel & Volkers we have integrity and experience. Whether you are selling, leasing or buying a luxury home in Hong Kong, we go that extra mile to ensure the experience is professional, positive and rewarding.

Any Experiences that are Unique Because You Live in Discovery Bay?

Living in Discovery Bay is a positive shock to the system, getting used to not having heavy traffic like most of Hong Kong. After a while, you can tend to take this for granted and the security of living in a secure enclave. These are some of the good things that make us want to stay living here. Want to experience the same things as Richard? Contact our real estate agents to help search residential properties in Discovery Bay for you.

Interested in living at or investing in a property at Discovery Bay? It’s not only a great place to look for apartments for sale in Hong Kong, but also a great place for real estate investing in Hong Kong. Contact our real estate agents in Hong Kong at Engel & Volkers for more information and viewings of the luxury homes and apartments for sale and rental. Engel & Volkers’ product portfolio ranges from elite homes, luxury mansions, premium residential properties, and other real estate for sale in Hong Kong. We also provide information regarding the real estate market and housing market prices.

Find more at our website at https://www.hongkongev.com