'The first day we moved into the apartment, my husband went to work,' she said. 'I closed the door and I looked into the apartment. I said now what do I do? How do I start with a three-year-old?

'I went down to the playground and saw some mothers with their children. An American lady asked how I was doing. I told her okay. It's taking time, because I'm starting all over. And then she said, 'It takes time but here you'll be fine. In one or two weeks you'll be fine.' She was right.'

Now, Mrs de Santis and other residents do the same for newcomers. If they see somebody who is not coping well, or is unhappy or lonely, they organise lunch for them or visit them.

'Because we know what it is like. Everybody has been through it,' she said. 'You go to a new country. Your children go to school. Your husband goes to work and, if you are not working, you are on your own. Where do you start to meet people?

'Here we have built up a good support network. People look out for each other. It is very difficult to be lonely. You are never far from a helping hand.'

When her daughter Michelle was young Mrs de Santis used to look out the window in the mornings and watch the mothers putting their children on the school bus. She thought, 'I can't wait until it's my turn to do that so I can meet all the mothers'.

Consequently, every morning since Michelle started Primary One, Mrs de Santis gathered with all the other mothers at the bus stop. They talked and were still talking after the bus had left.

On the last day of primary school, Michelle got off the bus crying because she would soon go to secondary school.

Mrs de Santis was crying too, because she wouldn't be at the school bus stop with the mothers every day anymore. One of the mothers said to her that maybe it's time for another mother to take her place.

'That was true and that really meant something to me,' she said. 'Six years, every day, the bus stop, but I had to give up my place for another mother.'

The close-knit network was not built by chance. The events and courses organised by the management of The Repulse Bay also helped bring people together. It organises celebrations for every major calendar event, including the Mid-Autumn Festival, Halloween and Easter.

The management also has a wide range of quality courses such as drawing, jazz dancing and yoga for children and adults. Residents can always find something to do in the complex.

Mrs de Santis used to go to an aerobics class with a group of mothers. They went to the gym class while their children were at school. Three days a week they would meet at the class and, afterwards, they always had a drink together. The group became good friends. One of them had even become the godmother of Mrs de Santis' daughter. Most of the children also know each other at The Repulse Bay.

'The children mix together nicely. Without realising it, they are learning to socialise with other people, not only from their schools but from everywhere with different backgrounds, ages and races,' she said.

'It's actually great socially for the children. From age three to 13, Michelle is lucky enough to be in a place where she feels a great sense of community and belonging.'

Mrs de Santis said she knew many people who were moving apartments within the complex instead of moving away. And most of those who moved out because they went to another country, moved back to The Repulse Bay when they returned to Hong Kong.

'We've been here 10 wonderful years. And I've made some of my closest friends here, whom I know will remain lifelong friends,' she said.