Anyone got first hand experience of living in Hong Kong?
Discussion
So, can anyone tell me what life is like in Hong Kong?
Its being discussed at work and I suggested I probably wouldn't mind going-it would be for 2 years.
But what's it really like? I love NY, so if it was like that, then fine!
I do not drink, so bars etc are not high on my priority list, but are there other things to do in Hong Kong?
Its being discussed at work and I suggested I probably wouldn't mind going-it would be for 2 years.
But what's it really like? I love NY, so if it was like that, then fine!
I do not drink, so bars etc are not high on my priority list, but are there other things to do in Hong Kong?
I lived over the border in South China for three years, and popped into HK pretty much every weekend as there was no ex-pat community in the industrial town where I was based.
I found it a really nice balance of China, UK and US atmosphere. Living is as cheap or expensive as you make it. Set 3 course lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe was about a tenner, for example. This was 10 years ago mind, and the exchange rates have slipped a bit since then.
I found it a really nice balance of China, UK and US atmosphere. Living is as cheap or expensive as you make it. Set 3 course lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe was about a tenner, for example. This was 10 years ago mind, and the exchange rates have slipped a bit since then.
I can tell you - been here nearly 3 years so far.
I would say it simply depends on your status. A young person/couple looking to socialise (not just drink, of which there is a lot, but eat) then it's great.
Someone who wants a springboard to explore Asia - it's great.
Family - not so, got a 5 month old and planning to leave. A load of my ex-pat friends who have new babies are also planning to leave.
PM me if you want more info.
I would say it simply depends on your status. A young person/couple looking to socialise (not just drink, of which there is a lot, but eat) then it's great.
Someone who wants a springboard to explore Asia - it's great.
Family - not so, got a 5 month old and planning to leave. A load of my ex-pat friends who have new babies are also planning to leave.
PM me if you want more info.
I live in Hong Kong, have done for a few years...
What would you like to know? What line of work are you in?
Jimothy raises good points - to me (married, no kids, no plans for them), it is a spectacular place to live. It's definately not cheap to live like a 'westerner', in terms of groceries and rent, but if you follow local trends and habits, you can get by on a real shoestring.
Rent will be the big one. Will you get a housing allowance? It's pretty common, and essentially amounts to extra cash towards your rent, which is very tax-efficient.
It has a great arts scene, amazing restaurants, cheap, clean & reliable public transport, and a very active social scene.
You're on the doorstep to the rest of Asia, so you'll find that your typical month will include a jaunt over to Bangkok/Penang/Bali etc, which is probably my favourite aspect. All in, it offers a very 'city' lifestyle. Hard to explain, but if you visit, you'll get the feel of it.
Most of the territory is green forest, and very mountainous. Many folks take up hiking, as there are hundreds of outstanding trails leading to spectacular views and secluded beaches.
The downsides (to most) are:
Cost of property/rent. Interest rate rises (soon) will probably be the acid test of the prices here. When prices correct, they do come down to pretty good value levels, by NYC/London standards, but have been a fair bit higher for a while. We shall see. If you've got an indexed housing allowance, however, you won't need to worry about it.
Schooling: to system is causing a huge problem to folks wanting to send their kids to international/English schools. It's just a capacity issue, but now, many schools are charging non-refundable large amounts to secure your child's place. Otherwise, you need to get your kids on the waiting list around the same time you plan on having sex.
Pollution: it's pretty bad. I don't walk around thinking 'Jesus, it stinks', rather its rare to see clear blue sky. The smoggy sky is a reminder of the state of the air. That said, it doesn't stop me doing anything. Naturally, the city centre is a pretty fume-filled industrial machine, so I wouldn't go for my jog through Tsim Sha Tsui, but otherwise, I find it fine.
My advice, especially if you are without children, is go for it. Especially for 2 years, no brainer.
What would you like to know? What line of work are you in?
Jimothy raises good points - to me (married, no kids, no plans for them), it is a spectacular place to live. It's definately not cheap to live like a 'westerner', in terms of groceries and rent, but if you follow local trends and habits, you can get by on a real shoestring.
Rent will be the big one. Will you get a housing allowance? It's pretty common, and essentially amounts to extra cash towards your rent, which is very tax-efficient.
It has a great arts scene, amazing restaurants, cheap, clean & reliable public transport, and a very active social scene.
You're on the doorstep to the rest of Asia, so you'll find that your typical month will include a jaunt over to Bangkok/Penang/Bali etc, which is probably my favourite aspect. All in, it offers a very 'city' lifestyle. Hard to explain, but if you visit, you'll get the feel of it.
Most of the territory is green forest, and very mountainous. Many folks take up hiking, as there are hundreds of outstanding trails leading to spectacular views and secluded beaches.
The downsides (to most) are:
Cost of property/rent. Interest rate rises (soon) will probably be the acid test of the prices here. When prices correct, they do come down to pretty good value levels, by NYC/London standards, but have been a fair bit higher for a while. We shall see. If you've got an indexed housing allowance, however, you won't need to worry about it.
Schooling: to system is causing a huge problem to folks wanting to send their kids to international/English schools. It's just a capacity issue, but now, many schools are charging non-refundable large amounts to secure your child's place. Otherwise, you need to get your kids on the waiting list around the same time you plan on having sex.
Pollution: it's pretty bad. I don't walk around thinking 'Jesus, it stinks', rather its rare to see clear blue sky. The smoggy sky is a reminder of the state of the air. That said, it doesn't stop me doing anything. Naturally, the city centre is a pretty fume-filled industrial machine, so I wouldn't go for my jog through Tsim Sha Tsui, but otherwise, I find it fine.
My advice, especially if you are without children, is go for it. Especially for 2 years, no brainer.
If you can bag a place to live on Lamma Island, its a lovely retreat out of the big city, but within easy commute. Rent isn't particularly expensive there either, a spacious 1 bed-apartment with a balcony (and a roof terrace if you get lucky) was around £700/month when I was there in '06.
shakotan said:
If you can bag a place to live on Lamma Island, its a lovely retreat out of the big city, but within easy commute. Rent isn't particularly expensive there either, a spacious 1 bed-apartment with a balcony (and a roof terrace if you get lucky) was around £700/month when I was there in '06.
Yes, Lamma, and a good few other places (Discovery Bay, Mui Wo, Pui O, South Lantau) offer peace and quiet, but easy access to the city.Unfortunately, such was the property market since 2008, any rental figures pre-2012 will be hugely off. Rents are up about 75% since 08. I'd wager you'd be spending HK15000 or more for that place now, Shakotan. Something has to give, it's just a case of when. Interest rates, I reckon, will be the catalyst. I'm usually wrong with this kind of stuff, though.
ETOPS said:
shakotan said:
If you can bag a place to live on Lamma Island, its a lovely retreat out of the big city, but within easy commute. Rent isn't particularly expensive there either, a spacious 1 bed-apartment with a balcony (and a roof terrace if you get lucky) was around £700/month when I was there in '06.
Yes, Lamma, and a good few other places (Discovery Bay, Mui Wo, Pui O, South Lantau) offer peace and quiet, but easy access to the city.Unfortunately, such was the property market since 2008, any rental figures pre-2012 will be hugely off. Rents are up about 75% since 08. I'd wager you'd be spending HK15000 or more for that place now, Shakotan. Something has to give, it's just a case of when. Interest rates, I reckon, will be the catalyst. I'm usually wrong with this kind of stuff, though.
Well, naturally, you're at the mercy of public transport. But, if you want the peace and quiet, I guess its worth it. It's actually easier for 1/2 of DB to get the bus to Sunny Bay, and the MTR in. Same journey time, but with far greater frequency.
I guess most of the folks in DB/Mui Wo/Lamma etc make it work, but I totally see your point. I think (and even moreso if you're only here for 2 years) that Kowloon Station/Mid Levels/Causeway Bay are where you'd want to be.
I guess most of the folks in DB/Mui Wo/Lamma etc make it work, but I totally see your point. I think (and even moreso if you're only here for 2 years) that Kowloon Station/Mid Levels/Causeway Bay are where you'd want to be.
A bit slow on the reply here, but I moved out 10 months ago to Hong Kong so I'll stick my ore in. Im looking at staying for a few more years at least. Absolutely love the place and Im so glad I took the plunge, if anything, I should have done so sooner!
Theres loads to do out of the drinking scene (which is also excellent buy the way). Any team sports, water sports, hiking, eating out (all types of food), exploring local Islands and culture, exploring asia very easily and cheap, shopping etc. Theres a track in Zhuhai for bikes or cars, although Ive never been. Theres also motor-x in the new territories which is basic but a good laugh. If you enjoy home cooking, I find it difficult to buy decent quality meat here though without paying for extremely expensive imported stuff but everything else is fairly easy to come by or you bring it back with you from visits home. If you like watching sport on tv, expat bars show it, or you can set up a vpn through your internet and access everything you could from the UK. My Mrs still watches Xfactor...
I found it very difficult at first without any kind of engine to tinker with, wash at the weekend etc. I cant afford a car out here and it would be difficult to do so as there's no where to park it where I live in Central. My solution was to buy an old vespa which has been an excellent breath of fresh air and retreat out of the busy city. It takes you where the tourists cant easily get to and satisfies the motor scene for now. There are also afew car clubs and plenty of car porn on the streets each day. Mostly the newest outrageous supercars being driven poorly by a local.
Get stuck in! You wont regret it.
Theres loads to do out of the drinking scene (which is also excellent buy the way). Any team sports, water sports, hiking, eating out (all types of food), exploring local Islands and culture, exploring asia very easily and cheap, shopping etc. Theres a track in Zhuhai for bikes or cars, although Ive never been. Theres also motor-x in the new territories which is basic but a good laugh. If you enjoy home cooking, I find it difficult to buy decent quality meat here though without paying for extremely expensive imported stuff but everything else is fairly easy to come by or you bring it back with you from visits home. If you like watching sport on tv, expat bars show it, or you can set up a vpn through your internet and access everything you could from the UK. My Mrs still watches Xfactor...
I found it very difficult at first without any kind of engine to tinker with, wash at the weekend etc. I cant afford a car out here and it would be difficult to do so as there's no where to park it where I live in Central. My solution was to buy an old vespa which has been an excellent breath of fresh air and retreat out of the busy city. It takes you where the tourists cant easily get to and satisfies the motor scene for now. There are also afew car clubs and plenty of car porn on the streets each day. Mostly the newest outrageous supercars being driven poorly by a local.
Get stuck in! You wont regret it.
I have lived in Hong Kong for more than 5 years, having originally come here for 3. I have three children here I would say if you are a singleton or couple then it's a great opportunity and it is a very vibrant place with a good (but not great) arts and music scene, a great social scene ( a bit like living in a very large Fulham for many), a very cosmopolitan feel and outlook. Tax is low and restaurants have really stepped up in the last three years? If you have money then great for owning cars but everything is 50-100% more than uk and no motor racing. It is also very easy to use hk as a travel hub so you will probably travel from hk a lot. Great for sports with many gyms rugby, boot camps etc. great for water sports. . I have seen comments about living on lama but honestly in your first three years while you are building your social network i would not recommend If you have a family then all of the above is possible but nothing is free in hk whether we are talking schooling, healthcare etc. activities. There are basically no international school places a available. Housing is 3-4 times what you would pay in uk, pollution is terrible. However I reckon if you are either a singleton or couple or getting good career position with an acceptable increase in salary or are just gonna earn a truck load then hk is great , but don't come here if you believe you can survive on a similar deal to London. I would say as a minimum you need 30-40% more net disregarding any school or housing issues. Hope this helps
J
J
As there's a number of Hong Kong people on here I wonder if I could possibly ask a favour.
I live in Dubai and am in urgent need of a pair of fuel pumps for a Ferrari 360..... I called the Hong Kong dealer earlier and they have stock (the first of the 6 dealers I've called that have some)
I'm considering flying into Hong Kong overnight tonight to collect them, but knowing my luck they'll turn out to be out of stock when I arrive....
I wonder if any HK residents would be prepared to pick them up for me (I'll pay over the phone for them) so that I know they exist before I book my flight.... I'd then meet up tomorrow to get them from you and hand over a bottle of something nice by way of a thanks.
ETOPS - wonder if you're in the flying game with that sign-on.... wouldn't happen to be flying to DXB tonight would you lol
I live in Dubai and am in urgent need of a pair of fuel pumps for a Ferrari 360..... I called the Hong Kong dealer earlier and they have stock (the first of the 6 dealers I've called that have some)
I'm considering flying into Hong Kong overnight tonight to collect them, but knowing my luck they'll turn out to be out of stock when I arrive....
I wonder if any HK residents would be prepared to pick them up for me (I'll pay over the phone for them) so that I know they exist before I book my flight.... I'd then meet up tomorrow to get them from you and hand over a bottle of something nice by way of a thanks.
ETOPS - wonder if you're in the flying game with that sign-on.... wouldn't happen to be flying to DXB tonight would you lol
In the end not, I needed the parts in Dubai today at the latest and it just couldn't be done unless I flew there personally. I was all set to do so then the CEO called a meeting that I had to attend and that's that...
Just means a delay in being able to actually get the car registered and drive it!!
Just means a delay in being able to actually get the car registered and drive it!!
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