Hong Kong, China Report of what it's like to live there - 04/25/16
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, we have also lived in Europe and Eastern Europe
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?
Northern Virginia. Shortest flight is about 20 hours out of Washington Dulles with a layover in Newark.
3. How long have you lived here?
About a year and a half
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
US Consulate
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
All housing is currently in high rises. There are some government owned low rising on the south side that are currently being renovated and will be getting filled again next summer. That housing is very spacious and near HKIS. The rest of the housing is either near HKIS with a 30-60 min commute or in the canter of town near the consulate with a 5-25 minute commute.The housing in the city is not as spacious as what is near the school and the storage space can range from modest to nonexistent so if you come here, pack light!
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
You can find just about anything and they will deliver it to your door! Great convenience but super expensive here. I can buy a basket of groceries..not a push cart, but a basket you carry, and it'll cost me over US$100! Food also seems to go bad more quickly here...not sure if it is the air or lack of preservatives but you have to be careful not to buy too much fresh produce or it'll go bad. Nothing worse than having to through out a US$10 avocado!
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
I would have brought a mini consumables of the staples we love that are cheap back home. I can still buy most things through Amazon or locally if I can't wait so I don't think you really need to stockpile unless you want to save some money.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Lots of fast food, McDonald's is everywhere and while I rarely eat it at home, I admit we go there 1-2 a week because it one of the few inexpensive meals in the city. We also hit up the Subway nearby for a good cheap meal. They have fantastic food in this city but it is really expensive. At a local casual burger place, it'll cost you about US$40 for a burger, fries, and a drink. When we go out for a bite, we never get out for less than US$100 for two, it stinks! Since there are so many places, we tend to go with places people confirm as good. Nothing worse than randomly picking a place to have a bad meal that you pay US$200 for. We try to eat at home as often as possible but groceries are also super expensive so while you save a bit eating at home, it's not a huge value. We find ourselves going to places like pret, Subway, McDonald's, other fresh food spots that cost about US$5-15 per person in an effort to save a little cash.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
We have had none in our house but we are pretty high up in a high rise. I have seen very little sign of bugs when I have been out in the city.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
We have DPO and pouch. Things mostly get here pretty quickly, it's nice.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Yes, very plentiful and according to local government law, they need to be live in. There are all sorts of details about salary, food, and travel requirements online but since we didn't hire a helper, I am fuzzy on the details.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
A bunch! Big gyms, boutique gyms, cross fit, you name it. The consulate has a small gym and the apartments often have their own, as well. The local gyms are super expensive but if that is your thing, then it's probably worth it.
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?
Safe and easy. Not all places take credit so we try to keep cash handy as well.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Just about any I can think of are here and available.
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! The whole city seems to be uphill. The sidewalks are uneven and the are lots of stairs everywhere. I am able bodied and I struggle walking the streets here in some areas.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Yes! Safe, affordable and super easy. Most taxi drivers speak enough English to get by but just in case, I keep my destination on my phone through google maps so I can show the driver which has come in handy a few times!
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?
They drive British style here so that has to be weighed when deciding about a car. Honestly with the cheap and easy public transport I have no idea why anyone would want to bring a car here. I absolutely love the freedom of not having to deal with the added expense of a car while we are here. A side from traffic and crazy drivers, there isn't much issue with having a car if you absolutely must have one.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes! We got the fastest option which the local company makes you bundle with a cable package and it comes to about US$100 a month. Internet is very fast and reliable and the cable packages comes with HBO so I can't complain.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
The consulate issues a phone but the family has a T-Mobile international family plan so we get unlimited data and texting in most countries. If we have to make a call, we do it through wifi of data on FaceTime.
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?
Vets here do house calls and this seams to be a city of dog lovers. Importing and exporting pets seems to be a really long process that has most people opting to hire an expediter.
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?
If you speak the language, it is possible. There are also a good amount of effort jobs at the consulate, surprising considering its size.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Tons. Can volunteer to help the homeless, the elderly, animals, trash clean up. If you have a passion to help, there are places to do so here.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Same as DC for work. In public, people are overly bundled in the winter, like it's Siberia. In the summer, you gotta dress to be cool and comfortable, so I've seen business to very casual on the streets.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
No, just normal common sense. A huge plus for living here is how safe this city is, it's great!
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Pollution is bad much of the time. If you have sensitivities or pre-existing issues, factor that in.
3. 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?
On its best day, and there aren't many of those, it is decent. I find most days I've lived here the pollution is pretty bad. Our family is very healthy and we have been negatively impacted by it on a regular basis. I can only imagine it could be a nightmare for anyone with health or respiratory issues. If I had known it was this bad before coming here, it would not have made the list.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
See comments about the pollution. Food allergies would apply too just about anywhere else I'd imagine.
5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
From mid-April to November it is hot, humid, and wet. During that time it rains daily so you have to keep an umbrella on you at all times. Hong Kong has a typhoon season but fortunately we haven't had anything too severe while we've lived here. November to April it rains much less and the air gets pretty cool, much cooler than I expected. This past winter it was unseasonably cold to the point that there were flurries up in the peak and the closed school! I have been told this isn't the norm but it can get pretty chilly, as low as the 40's F at night and high 50s during the day. Coming from a much colder climate, it never felt that cold to me and I never needed to use the portable heaters that were provided. Humidity stinks though! We have four big dehumidifiers in the house and we have to empty them twice a day.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
HKIS seams to be the top choice but it is very competitive and there is no guarantee of entrance so people are encouraged to apply to more than one school. Another popular choice is HKA but there are also some others including Montessori, British international, French international, Canadian international, etc. The CLO office here does a great job in staying on top of these schools to advise on the best choices. My kids go to HKIS and it is a pretty impressive school but it has mostly expat and local kids of means, the consulate kids seem to be looked down on by other students as temporary "poor" kids just passing through. That mentality is rough on my kids who came from schools made up primarily of embassy kids. Having said that, they have managed to make a few good friends and they are getting a very challenging, top notch education. Also to add, the "add ons" required for the school that parents have to pay out of pocket is ridiculous. Between requiring a certain type of Mac laptop for each kid, compulsory week long trips out of country each year, and for fee after school activities it is really expensive to have kids in school here. This was a big factor for us not extending.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
Not many. There are some schools out there with accommodations but research will need to be done to find the school that meets your needs.
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?
They are around but most people opt for a live-in helper who takes care of the house and non-school-aged kids. Some people have one helper per kid, or one helper per kid and one to take care if the house....definitely a different lifestyle. It is very unusual to not have a live-in helper but there are some Consulate families, couples, and singles who go without.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Yes, the schools have activities for a fee and there are also some local sports teams for kids. They are also pretty pricey and require some traveling for games. They have Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts too.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Morale is mixed. While is is a safe, beautiful city, the expense and pollution is enough to get some people down. It is also very far from home and without an R&R it is too expensive for many families to return home during their tour.
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?
Eating and drinking and shopping. Some people love hiking the mountains and trails around the islands too. There are lots of great movie theaters and they have great entertainers who tour through this area.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
It is good for everyone. All come with their own set of pros and cons.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Yes, there doesn't seem to be any hostilities that I've seen and i know a few openly gay people here. They've had no complaints.
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Not really.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
There is always some sort of festival or event happening, as well as fun happy hours and dining pop ups. I don't think I will ever get over the sticker shock but I am doing my best to enjoy it in moderation. The Disneyland is small but very cool, getting an annual pass has been well worth it to have a fun day out of the city. The biggest bonus here is how cheap and efficient public transport is. The MTR, buses, and taxis are safe, clean and very affordable. In fact, the city itself is the safest I've ever encountered.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Disneyland, Victoria Peak, big Buddha, ferry to the smaller islands for a day trip, Macau is just a 45-minute ferry away for some fun. LOTs of brunches and meet ups for just about any hobby. Lots of dragon boat teams for the dragon boat season. Losts of festivals to check out and Chonese New Year was really neat to experience.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Still looking...haven't really found anything that is worth it and screams Hong Kong yet,
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
It is a vibrant, fast-paced city. It is close to many other locations in Asia and reasonably close to the South Pacific and Middle East. There are lots of options for eating, shopping, and outdoor activities. This is one of the most expensive places in the world to live and I don't think it would be possible to save money living here.
10. Can you save money?
No..you can only slow the bleed if you online shop for deals whenever possible
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
The pollution and the extra school expenses.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Probably not.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Savings plan and subzero clothes.
4. But don't forget your:
Money...all of it. If you want to experience this city, you're going to be spending it up.
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
Travel channel shows on Hong Kong...such as the layover, booze traveler, I'll have what Phil's having. They give a pretty great glimpse of Hong Kong's highlights. In reality, this is a pretty tiny place. It does not take long to see everything there is to see.
