Go Home to the Country

The average person in Hong Kong lives in less than 250 square feet of space in a crowded area. That’s not much space. They prioritize convenience and that means they generally live close to an MTR station. Choosing to live further away from an MTR station means longer commute times to work, and as you know work is a huge part of life in Hong Kong. Check out – Overtime – Because You Want it. However living further away from public transport can also mean more space and a nicer environment. Unfortunately, it’s rare to find a place that has a good balance of nature (a nice environment) and convenience at the same time. Yes, I know that they are out there but they will likely be more expensive or really far from public transport. The above photo was taken from Island side’s Hong Kong Trail. It’s a pretty picture from a distance. Hong Kong has many high rises that fit into this category. They are pretty from a distance, but I’m glad I don’t live in one of them. I prefer to go home to the country and get away from the crowds.

Working in Cubicles

Many people go to work and sit at cubicles. Then they go home to tiny cubicle like spaces. Not long ago, I heard a physical therapist say that our modern life style is sedentary. We just don’t move enough. It’s like we are living in human zoos, he said. I know you might be saying we don’t have a choice. I used to live in a 200 square foot flat in ShaTin. It cost about 130 USD less than the 700 square foot flat I live in now. That’s not much difference. The trade off is that the 700 square foot flat is not close to an MTR station. We need to walk about 13 minutes to get to a bus and sometimes the bus schedule is not frequent enough. Therefore a decision to live in the countryside may also mean a decision to buy a car. Most of our neighbors have cars. It makes living out here more convenient.

Peaceful Surroundings

Tracy likes to say that we live in an old country park. There are trees, grass and mountains. We also have cows that come visit us. No need for a lawn mower out here. The cows come and cut the grass. A home for the Cows to Come Home to considers the effects of all the surrounding construction on the animals. The village houses here are unique in that we actually have some space between them. We aren’t too packed together. We have car parking and it isn’t too expensive. It feels peaceful. I shot this picture from our balcony in the evening a few months back. It had been raining and a thick white fog had collected over the mountains. I know it is not a Thomas Kinkade painting. I doubt Mr. Kinkade has ever been to Hong Kong, but I think if he came. He might want to paint something like this. Personally, I think we take Hong Kong’s beauty for granite. Over the summer we had the chance to go to JiuZhaiGou. There everyone stood in amazement at the fog over the mountains. Don’t get me wrong, it was lovely. I just think we should appreciate what we already have more.

Of course, you could live in a beautiful house in the countryside and not really experience rest there. Lots of people work too many hours. For them countryside or city, it doesn’t really make much of a difference they are always going and not really taking the time to rest.

Weekend Recreation

Hong Kong has many options – Where to live in Hong Kong. Whether you choose to live in the countryside or in the city, make sure you get out to enjoy Hong Kong’s hiking trails. Here’s a shot from a trail I discovered in Clear Water Bay not too long ago. It is very close to Clear Water Bay Beach. I know the hiking trails, beaches and country parks will never be our home, but they can help us feel more at peace.

MacLehose stage 4 remains my favourite trail for it’s terrain and view of both MaOnShan and SaiKung. Plus it’s close to where I live. The music in the background is from Andrew Peterson.

Go Home and Rest

Ideally I think more people should live in the countryside because nature helps people relax, but that is not practical for everyone. Where every you live, take time to rest. Move your body. Walk, run, play games but don’t just sit. Take time to appreciate your surroundings and where you are on life’s journey. Whether or not you live in the country, make sure you take the time to explore Hong Kong’s natural beauty.