Hong Kong, China Report of what it's like to live there - 02/23/15
Personal Experiences from Hong Kong, China
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
No.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
California - direct connections to L.A. and San Francisco.
3. How long have you lived here?
over 2 years.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Government.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Short commutes (15-20 minutes); U.S. government-leased housing is much larger than average.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
You can get everything here, but it may cost ten times what it does in the U.S.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
More maple syrup (too expensive here). Otherwise, generally should have brought less (little storage) and you can order most things through the DPO.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Everything, at a cost.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Some mosquitoes, but not too bad.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Very good, cheap, easy to get (under Hong Kong law you must be the sole employer, house your household help, and pay him/her HK$5500 per month for full-time work).
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Yes, but quite costly.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
No problem at all.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
None.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes, it's a hilly city without a lot of access for folks with disabilities.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Yes, very safe, extremely cheap (best deal in Hong Kong).
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
Do NOT bring a car, buy one here. They have left-hand drive and importing a car is quite difficult. Also, it can be hard to get parts if your car is not common here (I have had to wait weeks to months to get car parts a couple of times).
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, though mine often conks out in the early evening (I hear other complexes have better connectivity).
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Tons of options - if you want a cheap deal, go to an area like Shamshuipo and talk to the touts.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
No quarantine from some countries (like the U.S.) if your pet meets certain requirements, but 6 months from other countries. All dogs have to be brought in by cargo, so it's expensive. Good vets are available.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
Yes.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Plenty (for refugees/NGOs especially).
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Pretty formal.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
None - one of the safest cities anywhere.
2. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Very unhealthy, and unlikely to improve any time soon. There are portable air filters for our housing but I don't know how much good they do.
3. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
The pollution is bad. Foodwise, higher class restaurants will be careful but cheap places it may be hard to know what's going into a dish.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Very hot and humid summers (though thankfully air is less polluted when the winds blow from the south); cool winters (but smoggy).
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Great schools, though places are limited -- apply early and to several! I have 2 kids at HKIS, though in retrospect might have preferred the Canadian International School (due to their Mandarin program and great music facilities). HKIS has done a stellar job helping my eldest apply to colleges in the U.S.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Yes, quite a few (again, at a cost). My kids have a great horseback riding instructor. Our friend's child did a lot of competitive swimming including plenty of international competitions.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Huge, many lawyers and bankers, but also academics. Generally quite happy other than the pollution complaints.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Anything you'd do int he U.S.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
yes, all of the above, though single women may find it harder than single men (there are a lot of single women prowling every bar...).
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
OK, though locals are very conservative (and anti-gay). That said, the laws in the books against gays/lesbians are no longer in force, and there appear to be a lot of activities (and nightlife). Hong Kong is NOT recommended for someone bringing a gay spouse who wants to work: they will not receive a work permit as a spouse of someone allowed to work here (the marriage will not be recognized).
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Boat trips to outer islands; touring Southeast Asia.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Outer islands and hiking in the "country parks" (protected areas). Also, some of the bird reserves near the border.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Clothing made to order.
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Great base for touring Southeast Asia - local flights aren't cheap but there are deals to be had. The city is one of the world's great metropolises, with fabulous food, and also has outer islands and lovely hiking areas.
10. Can you save money?
No!! Most expensive place I've ever lived (and my COLA was higher elsewhere...)
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
Didn't appreciate the level of pollution. Also - for anyone with motion sickness: the roads are windy and bus and taxi drivers like to jerk around the curves.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Absolutely. Just not sure I want my kids breathing this air (though the schools are great, and they've gotten a lot out of our time here).
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Wish to get anything bureaucratic done quickly -- everything takes 10 times more paperwork than you expect.
