More Hongkongers would like to live on a boat, if only they could
Hong Kong is a city of high rises and high rents, but a growing number of Hongkongers are expressing an interest in living aboard boats rather than being confined to small, overpriced apartments. It is a lifestyle decision that resonates with the promise of greater freedom, privacy and open space.
However, there is a setback - a shortage of berthing spaces. Apart from native fishing families, there are only about 200 Hong Kong families who live on boats. The Discovery Bay Marina Club on Lantau Island is home to about 150 of them and the rest are spread among the eight marinas in Hong Kong, including Gold Coast and Causeway Bay.
'We have a long waiting list for those who want to use our marina to live aboard. We are popular because we are the only location to accommodate live-aboard with privacy,' said Albert Wu Ei-ming, general manager of the Gold Coast Yacht and Country Club, an affiliate of the Sino Group.
'We offer all facilities - a cleaning service, electricity, water, a hook-up connection for cable TV and broadband. Water is free and electricity is on a consumption basis.'
With Hong Kong home prices among the highest in the world, living on a boat may be a more practical option and a better investment.
