I just got two more interview requests, one "About cultural diversity on Lamma Island" and one about Lamma property for Squarefoot magazine.

Checking out Squarefoot's website, there's not a single property available for rent on Lamma and no flats for sale, but 2 houses for sale, one the infamous Village House which has been up for sale and auction for several years now, increased now to $21 millions, not a single picture or any details, listed as a NEW ad on Squarefoot!

Plus a nice-looking house on the opposite side of the bay from Sok Kwu Wan, making for a pretty long walk to the ferry:

http://www.squarefoot.com.hk/search/?type=buy&area=4&district=119&price_min=&price_max=&size_min=&size_max=&bedroom=&floor_zone=&layout=&keyword=&x=36&y=10

Gohome.com.hk - "Hong Kong's No.1 Property Website, Over 100,000 property listings in Hong Kong" - does not have a single Lamma property for rent or sale. Only AsiaXpat seems to advertise some Lamma properties, usualy directly from the owner.

Here are the questions from Squarefoot. I'm sure many of you would have much better answers than mine, please comment:

1. Why do you choose to live here?
2. What kind of house are you living in?
3. What do and don't you like about the Lamma?
4. Which groups will find the island attractive? expats, locals, those with pets/ kids?
5. How would you compare the Lamma with other alternatives such as Cheung Chau, Mui Wo, Discovery Bay, etc.
6. What do you think of the "hippie" label on islanders?
7. Some said the island has a close-knit community. Do you agree?

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1. Why do you choose to live here?
Because it is beautiful, quiet, 25mins from HK and pretty cheap

2. What kind of house are you living in?
Small house

3. What do and don't you like about the Lamma?
I love the unspoiled pathways, the sea, the beaches, the wildlife, the community and the sunshine when the rest of HK is in mist.
I don't like the dog cr*p everywhere, the snakes, the way the developers get their way eventually because the local authority rarely listen to the views of residents affected and that large areas, esp in YSW look like a dump.

4. Which groups will find the island attractive? expats, locals, those with pets/ kids?
Anyone who wants to feel remote from the bustle, whilst actually being pretty close. Anyone who enjoys wildlife and wants their kids to grow up with a sense of adventure.

5. How would you compare the Lamma with other alternatives such as Cheung Chau, Mui Wo, Discovery Bay, etc.
Can't say I know most of them so can't comment.

6. What do you think of the "hippie" label on islanders?
What - no sewers? No cars? No supermarket chain? No skyscrapers? No MTR? If that makes me a hippie then so be it.

7. Some said the island has a close-knit community. Do you agree?
I've certainly found it to be that way, very friendly. As with any community you have to be prepared to make an effort - take up painting, go to church, become a regular at a bar, join a beach clean-up - get to know people.

1. Why do you choose to live here?
Rent refugees fleeing HK Island's rents. Instead of moving to Kowloon side, we chose a much nicer living environment just 25 minutes from Central.

2. What kind of house are you living in?
Standard 700sqft Village House, top floor w/balcony and rooftop garden, a nice flat that would be unaffordable for us in town.

3. What do and don't you like about Lamma?
Same as the other correspondents above and below this post.

4. Which groups will find the island attractive? expats, locals, those with pets/ kids?
All of these.
But there's the vast majority of people, especially HK people, who would find Lamma NOT attractive to live on. Check out my WARNINGS before moving to Lamma Island:

5. How would you compare the Lamma with other alternatives such as Cheung Chau, Mui Wo, Discovery Bay, etc.
I've only lived on HK Island and Lamma, so can't compare the other islands.
Each island is very different and has a different vibe. I've got friends who prefer to live on the other islands for various reasons. Visit these places to get a feel, talk to residents, maybe even stay for one night in a cheap "holiday flat" to get a good impression of the environment and lifestyle on each island.

6. What do you think of the "hippie" label on islanders?
Nonsense these days, ancient history, last millennium.

7. Some said the island has a close-knit community. Do you agree?
Yes.

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Ha ha Lamma Gung you'll soon be homeless the way you keep promoting Lamma in property magazines, you're doing a fine job of shooting yourself in the foot, congratulations!

Don't forget you're poor!

Do the answers above really promote Lamma to readers of a luxury living magazine like Squarefoot which does not list a single Lamma flat for rent on their property website and only two village houses for sale, one of them in Po Wah Yuen at $21 million!

Did you ever check out my WARNINGS before moving to Lamma Island linked here and above?

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Not going to reply because I'm selfish and don't want Lamma to become another HK Island. At least my big Tai Peng hill is keeping development away, tourists away and rent down. Also keeping my weight down!

Replies from http://www.LammaFlats.com who also got contacted independently by the same Squarefoot.com.hk reporter: They are renting out several fully-equipped flats for at least half a year, so these answers promote Lamma much more than my own replies as a tenant.

"1. Why do you choose to live here?
Its great to be outside of the city, live in a quieter place and have plenty of green around us. Lamma also has a wonderful sense of community

2. What kind of house are you living in?
We live in a village house, the ground floor of a 3 storey building, with a patio and garden

3. What do and don't you like about Lamma?
I love living there, I’ve been there for 15 years and my husband Chris has lived on Lamma for 32 years, so there is not much we don’t like.
I like the sense of community, the space, the walking trails, the beaches, the safety, the fact that there are no cars....
It is occasionally challenging to live there in the rainy season.

4. Which groups will find the island attractive? expats, locals, those with pets/ kids?
Many different groups of people enjoy Lamma - as long as they like slightly quieter and slower pace of life than in the city.

5. How would you compare the Lamma with other alternatives such as Cheung Chau, Mui Wo, Discovery Bay, etc.
I’ve never lived on any of the other islands, it is certainly a less ‘organized’ than DB.

6. What do you think of the "hippie" label on islanders?
Come to Lamma and look, we are a relaxed island on the weekends, but the large majority of people are professionals and work in Hong Kong. I think the hippie label is left over with people who haven’t been to Lamma since the 80’s.

7. Do you find commuting a problem?
Commuting is not a problem at all. Its a great way to get to work, I would much rather sit on a ferry for 25 minutes and read the paper or do some work than stand on an MTR or crowded bus or even drive. The ferries are frequent and only take 25 minutes.

8. I can hardly find anything about Lamma property online, but one or two occasional ad placed by a private landlord. Is there not a property agent which specializes in this? Where can I get such info?
As I mentioned above, there are a number of agents – if you come to Lamma you can speak to them.

9. Some tenants complained about the surging rents on the island. What's the situation/ trend now when compared to one or two years ago? Is the small supply of new houses much to blame?
From what I hear, there has been an increase in rents, but I think this is the same everywhere in Hong Kong. Our rental prices have stayed fairly steady for the past 2 years. They vary slightly depending on the length of stay.

10. What kind of properties are out there that are popular? (village houses/ studio flats/ any luxury development?)
All types – there is a new luxury development, I’m not sure if it is open yet."
[Not open yet and no opening date announced at all]

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1. Why do you choose to live here?

It’s cheaper and quieter than Mid Levels, where I lived previously. Also, I have a large dog.

2. What kind of house are you living in?

I live in a small ground floor flat.

3. What do and don't you like about Lamma?

For likes, see #1 above. What I don’t like is that the houses are poorly built and not insulated and it gets very cold on Lamma in winter. Also it’s impossible to commute and stay dry when it rains and the air conditioning on the ferry is way too cold, so I used to have a lot of colds when I worked in town. There’s no emergency medical care after office hours, which has obvious disadvantages, especially for those with children (the helicopter service can take a long time to get you to the nearest hospital in an emergency). On the plus side, Lamma’s in the catchment area for Queen Mary Hospital, which is probably the best in Hong Kong.

4. Which groups will find the island attractive? expats, locals, those with pets/ kids?

Lots of expats live on Lamma, especially those with young children, which is a bit surprising given the lack of emergency medical care.

5. How would you compare the Lamma with other alternatives such as Cheung Chau, Mui Wo, Discovery Bay, etc.

As far as I know, it’s similar to to the other islands, apart from DB of course. Lamma also has a large power station, if you like that sort of thing.

6. What do you think of the "hippie" label on islanders?
It depends what you call a ‘hippy’, but there are a few dubious characters with no visible means of support. The police certainly think Lamma’s a hot bed of drugs though, given the frequency of raids and busts on the island.

7. Do you find commuting a problem?

No, but I work on-line at home. When I did commute, it was a pain when it rained, though.

8. I can hardly find anything about Lamma property online, but one or two occasional ad placed by a private landlord. Is there not a property agent which specializes in this? Where can I get such info?

There are many property agents on the island, but not all of them are trustworthy.

9. Some tenants complained about the surging rents on the island. What's the situation/ trend now when compared to one or two years ago? Is the small supply of new houses much to blame?

My rent has been stable for the past 2-3 years or so, but I believe some of the newer places are ambitiously priced, to say the least.

10. What kind of properties are out there that are popular? (village houses/ studio flats/ any luxury development?)

Shoddily built small village houses and flats. There’s a new ‘luxury development’ that has remained empty since its completion several years ago, which sums up Lamma, really.

1. Why do you choose to live here?

I prefer birds to car horns, trees to concrete, natural ventilation to compulsive air-conditioning. I like an unblocked green view

2. What kind of house are you living in?

I live in a small ground floor flat with a patio and a garden

3. What do and don't you like about Lamma?

I like the fact that i can spend time in my garden and go for a pleasant walk any time i feel like it. As i hate traffic and noise, living in the city doesn't appeal to me.
Unfortunately village houses are poorly built and not insulated. The lack of planning has created a messy sprawl of hideous village houses built too close to one another, poorly conceived government projects that are completely out of touch with Lamma's rural character have created eyesores, and future development plans are very worrying. The natural environment is under constant threat due to lack of education and disregard for nature.

4. Which groups will find the island attractive? expats, locals, those with pets/ kids?

I often invite my townie friends over. Due to working in the evening, my social life on Lamma is pretty non-existent.

5. How would you compare the Lamma with other alternatives such as Cheung Chau, Mui Wo, Discovery Bay, etc.

Lamma has a smaller population, which i prefer.

6. What do you think of the "hippie" label on islanders?
It's a tired cliche

7. Do you find commuting a problem?

No, i like commuting by ferry because i can sit and read a book.

8. I can hardly find anything about Lamma property online, but one or two occasional ad placed by a private landlord. Is there not a property agent which specializes in this? Where can I get such info?

There are property agents on the island.

9. Some tenants complained about the surging rents on the island. What's the situation/ trend now when compared to one or two years ago? Is the small supply of new houses much to blame?

I bought my flat.

10. What kind of properties are out there that are popular? (village houses/ studio flats/ any luxury development?)

Very few village houses are for rent or sale, it's easier to find flats, though very few of them are well located, well designed and have open views.

1. Why do you choose to live here?
I like being part of a community. Quiet, friendly and lovely surroundings.
2. What kind of house are you living in?
A village house,(thin walls) but friendly people.
3. What do and don't you like about the Lamma?
I love the activities that go on in each neighbourhood each village has interesting things to offer. People dumping on green areas makes me cross, especially as I am here to enjoy the beauty that Lamma holds.
4. Which groups will find the island attractive? expats, locals, those with pets/ kids?
Everybody who enjoys nature, socializing or meeting new people would enjoy this diverse community
5. How would you compare the Lamma with other alternatives such as Cheung Chau, Mui Wo, Discovery Bay, etc.
Have friends that live or have lived in these places over the years, just doesn't sound like our community at all.
6. What do you think of the "hippie" label on islanders?
Rubbish, I'm not a hippy, i enjoy simple pleasures in life and lead a simple existence.
7. Some said the island has a close-knit community. Do you agree?
I agree, I love being part of a small community and not just a face, in a lift in a block of flats!

This bilingual Square Foot Magazine feature story has been published a while back, but the reporter has only informed me about it the other day. Lots of quotes from Lammaites:

http://www.squarefoot.com.hk/news/153/pressure-points/

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It's horrible here, unspeakably awful, a living hell. I suggest people looking for flats go and find somewhere else to live. Discovery Bay is supposed to be very civilised, and Tseung Kwan O I hear has great facilities and good transport.

Yes, you have pointed out the 'bad points' of living on Lamma, but only AFTER pointing out that Lamma was the 'Coolest Outlying Island' a couple of years previously.

If I do recall, you 'changed your tune' after you were shot in the foot, and your lovely landlord that you initially gushed about, raised your rent by a huge percentage.

1. Why do you choose to live here?
Came here by accident and can't afford to move on

2. What kind of house are you living in?
Village house at the top of a steep mountain which leaves you knackered and sweaty half way to the top. Exhausting

3. What do and don't you like about the Lamma?
Absolutely nothing to like.
Dislike poisonous snakes, spiders and centipedes, cliquey expats, rude and money-grubbing locals, dog shit, choking fumes from the chimneys, packs of wild dogs and feral pigs and children, high prices, greedy landlords, suffocating holiday crowds

4. Which groups will find the island attractive? expats, locals, those with pets/ kids?
Only mentally deranged hippies would want to come here

5. How would you compare the Lamma with other alternatives such as Cheung Chau, Mui Wo, Discovery Bay, etc.
Absolutely bottom of the pile

6. What do you think of the "hippie" label on islanders?
Very appropriate. You cant walk down main street without being hassled by hippies, drug addicts, hustlers, deadbeats and layabouts - human flotsam from all corners of the earth have washed up here.

7. Some said the island has a close-knit community. Do you agree?
Close-knit, inbred, paranoid, yes. Don't even think about coming here.

My landlord has refrained from increasing my rent this summer, even though he was entitled to at the end of the first year contract. My rent is actually quite reasonable these days as a lot of people pay more nowadays than I do for similar flats. So my landlord is still a lovely guy and I'll continue to gush about him, if you don't mind.

He even declared his two illegal structures on our rooftop, at several thousand dollars for each, so we might keep them well to the end of our tenancy. I love our fixed, open metal canopy and it's typhoon-proof. Thank you, lord, er, landlord!

And Lamma is still the Coolest Outlying Island, despite all the negative aspects, so well and accurately described by Zep above. But the fact is that now all Outlying Islands have become uncool because you need to get on a ferry to get there and Lamma's Fung Shui has been crushed.

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I was talking about your 'previous' landlord

Around the time that you were promoting Lamma as the best place to live. I was talking about a 'few years' prior, which I did mention. Your previous landlord increased your rent by a ridiculous amount.

And of course 'The Coolest Outlying Island' I'm sure is debatable. Well, it's been my home for many years, so I have to agree to a certain extent.

And to Zep.... yes totally,.. made me laugh out loud, and I'm with you on that one. Lamma.... terrible place to live .... don't move here. (hopefully your post will cool the local property market?)

Certainly hope so!

Now I'm intrigued. As a long term HK resident, and knowing how the locals view 'Fung Shui', I thought this would have had an impact on a community.

Not nowadays though, but many many moons ago.

Nowadays, with property developers, and a whole new market (mainland China money pouring into HK),.. do you think the ferry tragedy will have a 'Fung Shui' impact on the Lamma community. I think it would have done years ago, but not today. New generations and 'keeping up with the Jones')

OK.. going off topic, and please post this in the relevant place

But I am interested in what the local community think about this, so need to bring it up here. Thanks!

Jones is going back to Vietnam tomorrow, so you won't have to keep up with him for a while

LG - If you are on a 1+1 contract your landlord is not entitled to put the rent up after the first year - that is the point of a 1+1 or else you might as well just do 1 year contracts. After the first year of a 1+1 you are entitled to give one month's notice but the landlord cannot put the rent up. They can only kick you out if they need the property back to move into themselves. In reality this is not checked up on so in theory landlords could claim this and then just increase the rent and lease it to another tenant.

Yes, you are right, and this excuse is widely used to get people out after 1 year and then charge higher rent from the next tenant.

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