2 September 2019 - Discovery Bay is undeniably a unique residential community in Hong Kong. Located on the northeast coast of Lantau Island, it is surrounded by mountain ranges and has a 400-metre long man-made beach, giving residents easy access to beautiful hikes and plenty of fun in the sand. Residents enjoy a sense of charm, comfort and tranquility, thanks to the restriction on private cars. On the other hand, it combines an escape from the city with convenient access to Central (by ferry) or the rest of Hong Kong with 25-minute buses connecting you to the Sunny Bay MTR or the airport.
Perhaps most notable is the multi-cultural sense of community that residents enjoy. People from both Hong Kong and dozens of other nationalities mingle and form friendships, very often centered around their children’s schoolmates, making it stand out from the rest of Hong Kong as one of the most sought-after areas of choice for home buyers.
We’ve listed three of the top reasons why people choose to move to Discovery Bay, together with an example of a beautiful property – just one of many options to consider if you’re looking to broaden your Hong Kong experience and live in Discovery Bay.
1. Access to Nature
Discovery Bay is carved out strategically so that residents can truly take advantage of nature. Stunning hikes of every difficulty level are minutes away. Water sports and activities are popular and supported by a boat club for sailing, kayaking and paddle-boarding. There is an abundance of parks or playgrounds so you are within a few minutes’ walk of playing with your child outdoors, wherever you live. Finally, the rest of Lantau is easily accessed via a ferry to Mui Wo, from which you can spend a day on South Lantau’s many beaches, campsites, bike paths and longer hikes.
A 2-minute walk to the beach, this 1,442-square foot, four-bedroom, two-bathroom duplex at Beach Village – Seabird Lane, is also only 5 minutes from the Discovery Bay Plaza and ferry to Central. With a stunning HK skyline view and huge terrace, it’s a view that you’ll enjoy night after night. A designer kitchen and all bathrooms are fitted with top-of-the-line appliances so you can enjoy your time inside as much as you do being out. Rent: $98,000 per month.
2. Convenience
DB’s relaxed ambience is appealing to many. With some feeling of being in a residential “resort”, it’s only a 25-minute ferry ride from Central, and a 20-minute bus ride to Sunny Bay and Tung Chung MTR stations. Travelling abroad for real? The airport is only 30 minutes away by bus or taxi, while a 45-minute drive can take you to the newly-opened Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. And within DB, buses run continually so you’re never more than a few minutes away from meeting friends, enjoying tennis or a swim at the DB Resident’s Club, or heading to the Plaza or a meal or to run errands.
Every unit in Discovery Bay is similarly convenient and generally within a few minutes of the Discovery bay Ferry Pier, connecting you to Central. Residents at Peninsula Village also can quickly access the Kai To ferry to Mui Wo, mentioned above. Apart from the luxurious sense of space that this three bedroom, three bathroom apartment enjoys, this 1,381-square foot unit is also includes a beautiful outsized garden that adds around 1,000 square feet to the interior area. Selling price: $21.5 million.
3. A Premium Education for your Children
Apart from the benefits of being close to nature and having plenty of space to roam, children living in DB also grow up with great English-focused international schools. Within Discovery Bay are two renowned international schools, Discovery Bay International School and ESF Discovery College, both of which go all the way through secondary school levels. There are also numerous schools for children ranging from toddlers through kindergarten and primary ages, often with small class sizes for children to thrive in.
If those schools are what you have in mind for your children, this 1,479-square foot flat at Positano Discovery Bay may be a good option as it’s a few minutes’ walk from Discovery College and several smaller schools located in the North Plaza.
The three-bedroom, two-bathroom (plus a guest bathroom) duplex comes with a balcony, a generous 3,000+ square foot garden and a private swimming pool - just the place for kids’ parties and barbeques, and let’s not forget wine and cheese nights for the parents! Selling price: $35 million.
What’s so special about Discovery Bay is it truly combines a sense of a neighborhood community with an offering of luxury for those seeking it. Hike, bike, run or swim, and once you feel well-rested and refreshed, you can get back to the city for work or to socialize in the fast-paced city life that Hong Kong’s famous for.
