西貢 避世安居 Sai Kung A Retreat from the City

SAI KUNG

新冠肺炎在全球肆虐，各國為減少傷亡，採取史無前例的隔離政策，封城與停擺之聲此起彼落，各行各業陷入困境。樓市交投淡靜，發展商延期推出新盤，準買家推遲入市，一切以健康為大前題。

疫情期間，人們深深體會到清新空氣的可貴，儘管尚未有數據顯示，遷往鄉郊地區的買家或租客上升，但經此一「疫」，社會衛生意識顯著提高，市民更重視健康的居住環境。不知被美譽為香港後花園的西貢，會否成為下一個樓市旺區呢？

雖然西貢沒有港鐵連接，人們還是不厭其煩走到西貢，看那秀麗景色，感受那輕鬆氛圍。事實上，前往西貢亦非想像般長途跋涉，專營西貢及清水灣物業的The Property Shop創辦人catherine Giblin表示：「西貢有良好的交通配套，從坑口、烏溪沙、彩虹港鐵站乘搭巴士、小巴或的士到該區只需短途車程。」此外，西貢亦有來往銅鑼灣、旺角、觀塘的小巴路線，對於在市區工作，但嚮往大自然的城市人來說，西貢的低密度環境相當吸引。

Catherine補充：「許多西貢居民，不論是本地或外籍人士，均對區內生活環境與質素讚不絕口：優美海灘與島嶼星羅棋布，擁有適合家庭與養寵物人士的社區設施，更有豐富的水上運動、郊遊徑、健身中心、藝術與音樂活動。另一方面，西貢居民的社區意識很高，很支持地區商店，又積極參與美化社區活動。」

Catherine指出西貢居住空間較市區大，「而且戶型多元化－獨立屋、設管理服務與設施的聯排別墅、連平台村屋、連花園村屋、分層式住宅、複式戶、海景戶、設私人泳池的洋房等，住戶安在家中便可享山水或島嶼景致。」區內近年多了低密度豪宅屋苑進駐，設園景花園與住客會所，例如逸瓏園和逸瓏海 。

根據中原4月中數據，西貢近期實呎為13,720元，較上月升6.2%。區內最新樓盤

有信置的133 Portofino；大型住宅項目有新世界的傲瀧、新地的帝琴灣、 地的匡湖居。近月區內村屋睇樓量稍為回升，目前分層（700方呎）月租約15,000元起，複式（1,400方呎）約33,000元起，全幢式（2,100方呎）約45,000元起。

With the Coronavirus outbreak spreading rapidly across Hong Kong and the globe, several countries have imposed strict isolation measures in a bid to slow the spread. Locally, a large-scale lockdown and shop closures are disrupting businesses across several industries. The same goes for Hong Kong's property markets, with developers postponing new launches and potential buyers delaying purchases as a result of social distancing.

The awareness of personal and environmental hygiene has been greater than ever. Although no evidence seems to suggest that buyers or renters are moving towards the countryside for better air quality, a healthy, pristine living environment is highly desirable amid the current health crisis. Famously known as Hong Kong's back garden, thanks to its fresh air and low rises, will Sai Kung become the next hotspot in the property market?

Despite the perceived lack of transport links in and out of Sai Kung, there is still a vast number of people visiting the area for its beautiful views and laid-back lifestyle. In fact, going to Sai Kung is much more convenient than one would normally expect, “Sai Kung is served by a large transport network of taxis, minibuses and double decker buses. There are also three MTR stations—hang Hau, Wu Kai Sha and Choi Hung—within a short commute,” said Catherine Giblin, owner of The Property Shop, specialising in handling Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay properties. There are also minibus routes running between Sai Kung and major commercial areas such as Causeway Bay, Mong Kok and Kwun Tong, and its high level of accessibility makes the area an ideal place for city workers who prefer to live in the countryside.

“Many Sai Kung residents, whether local or from overseas, consider living in the area for its great quality of life and cleaner air,” Giblin continues, “The area of natural beauty offers a whole host of activities suitable for all family members and pet lovers. Abundantly available are a variety of water sport activities, country park hiking trails, fitness clubs, art, cultural and music activities. Sai Kung residents are also proud of their enthusiasm to support local when shopping… and make Sai Kung town centre a vibrant and colourful place.”

Sai Kung homes, as Giblin sees it, offer more spacious living than downtown areas and “There are plenty of different kinds of homes—detached residences, townhouses in complexes with management and facilities, secluded village houses with terraces and gardens as well as apartments, duplexes, waterfront and private pool villas. Residents can enjoy spectacular sea, mountain and island views from their homes.” In recent years, the sub-market has seen a rising number of lowdensity luxury developments with landscaped gardens and clubhouse facilities, such as The Mediterranean and Park Mediterranean.

According to the data from Centaline Property in mid-april, Sai Kung averaged around HK$13,720 per saleable square foot, a 6.2% increase from the previous month. The latest residential project in the area is Sino Land's 133 Portofino. Other large-scale developments include New World Development's Mount Pavilia, Sun Hung Kai Properties' Symphony Bay and Henderson Land's Marina Cove. The number of flat viewings for Sai Kung's village houses has seen a rebound while the monthly rent for a single-storey unit (700 square feet), duplex (1,400) and three-storey unit (2,100) begin at HK$15,000, HK$33,000 and HK$45,000 respectively.