My parents bought a studio in stage 3 in late 80s, for around HKD 300,000 (not a mistake!). 6 days a week they catch the hovercraft to Central then use MTR then minibus to work place, return home around 10pm at night. Nevertheless it was very enjoyable during weekend, walking around the ferry/shopping area or along the beach. In their days there were many ex-pat living there for the good lifestyle. The other infamous event associated with DB was the US woman drugged and killed her husband and stored him in a roll of carpet.