Hong Kong, China Report of what it's like to live there - 06/17/08
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, this was my second overseas tour - I previously lived in the Caribbean.
2. How long have you lived here?
2005-2007.
3. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
I am posted at the U.S. Consulate.
4. Travel time and best routes to this city from Europe or the US:
Hong Kong has tons of flights each day - there are nonstop flights from both the East and West Coasts of the U.S.A. as well as lots from London/Europe.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Most expat housing is in really nice, large apartment buildings on Hong Kong island (as opposed to in Kowloon). I lived in Shouson Hill near Repulse Bay, which I loved because I could walk to the beach, but others didn't like it.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Now, this is the bad part of Hong Kong. It is EXPENSIVE. The expat-type food and household supply selection is great but it is all generally imported from England, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. If you chose to eat only local foods, you can shop at markets and save some money.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
I would ship stuff that may be expensive here if you want but you can get anything you need. I remember that party supplies and childrens toys were expensive. Also, if you wear a larger size of clothing or shoe than normal Asian sizes, I know some people had trouble finding clothes and shoes. I am a women's U.S. size 8 and I was probably on the larger end of what they sell in the shops. However, any woman who wears U.S. size 8 or under (including children) will be able to buy factory rejects from Gap, Ann Taylor, Lucky Brand jeans, etc. etc. for about $5 per item. It's great!
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Hong Kong mail is often faster and cheaper than APO or pouch anyway. You can use either.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Hong Kong has a great immigration scheme where they allow domestic helpers to come in from Indonesia, Thailand, the Phillippines, etc. If you sponsor one of these helpers, it is Hong Kong dollars $3600 per month (divide that by eight for approximate U.S. dollar equivalent) and that gets you six days a week of full-time live-in child care, cleaning, running errands, etc. It is a really nice set up.
3. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
4. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Of course Anglican church is big here, as are Catholic churches (all in English), and there is a huge mosque. I imagine any religion you want, they would have it here.
5. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
The South China Morning Post is the main one and it is quite good (Check out their website if you don't believe me). You can buy newspapers from the US and UK at imported prices. The cable TV was quite good and features a selection of shows from the US, Australia, UK and Canada, New Zealand. The cable TV was less than mine is here in the U.S.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
I did not know any Cantonese and I was fine. However, some taxi drivers don't speak English so it is a good idea to have the address written down for you if you think this might be a problem. I never had a problem with this though. All customer service representatives, McDonalds workers, etc. will speak almost-perfect English. The locals would love it if you can try to learn even just a few words or phrases in Cantonese.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
The taxi drivers are generally extremely accomodating for persons in wheelchairs, etc. I have seen them lift elderly people out of the chairs and gently place them in the taxi, fold up the wheelchair, put it in the trunk, and after a 5 minute taxi ride, do it all over again in reverse. That being said, Hong Kong is extremely hilly. It is difficult to get around in this respect - the sidewalks can be very narrow. I think it would depend on the disability, really.
Transportation:
1. Do you drive on the right hand side of the road or the left?
They drive British-style here.
2. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
See above comments. Taxis are all metered and extremely cheap, as are buses. Hong Kong has an excellent public transport system.
3. 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?
Because so many Hong Kong locals have so much money generally you can buy a used car for really cheap - the rich people all want the latest model so the market is flooded with nice used cars. I would not bother bringing a car. The public transport system here is so efficient, safe and cheap I would wait to see if you even want to buy a car. I bought a car but I really didn't need one, and most of my friends didn't bother.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
High speed internet is all over the place, including wireless hot spots, and again, I was paying less than I am here in the U.S.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Check on their website for PCCW and you'll see the latest deals, etc. PCCW is a main service provider and they also did cable TV if I recall. I was happy with them.
3. What is the best way to make phone calls back home?
You can buy local scratch-off phone cards from 7-11 that are very cheap. Hong Kong cell phones do not charge by the minute so you can use your cell phone (with one of those cards) to call anyone anywhere in the world for literally pennies. Also, the internet is high-speed so you can use that as well.
Pets:
1. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?
I did not use a kennel as I had a domestic helper. When we went out of town, we just left our dogs at home with the helper. We used the vet at the RSPCA when our dog became ill and he was a UK-trained expat. The experience was pleasant, and reasonably cheap. I know there is a vet that makes house calls in Hong Kong - a lot of expats use him.
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?
This depends on how long you are going to be living in Hong Kong and what skills you have. There are a lot of teaching jobs and I think a lot of computer or IT sorts of jobs.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Hong Kong locals wear a lot of black suits! For work they dress up, and dress conservatively. Even in their free time, they tend to dress fashionably (think Tokyo). I would have felt uncomfortable dressing like a total slob, even if I was just running down to the supermarket. Hong Kong is a city that is very much into fashion. Men can get really nice suits made here, for cheap.
Health & Safety:
1. Pollution index (Good, Moderate, Unhealthy, or Very Unhealthy)?
Pollution gets worse each year. One week a year the factories across the border in the Mainland of China shut down and you can see clear, sunny skies for that week. All of the pollution in Hong Kong seems to be air pollution from the factories across the border. Having said that, the pollution did not affect me at all and I still spent many happy days at the beach or hiking, etc. I think the pollution is better than it is in Beijing, for instance.
2. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
No security concerns. Hong Kong is probably the safest city in the world. I never felt afraid there - ever - as a woman walking alone, anytime day or night. There aren't a lot of cities in the world that are like that anymore. The locals sometimes talk about getting pickpocketed but I never heard of (or saw) anything like that happening.
3. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
The aforementioned pollution did not bother me but if I had a child that had asthma or something I might have worried about it. The medical care is extremely good as you may expect and there is a large offering of both eastern and western medicine.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Usually it is mild and pleasant but sometimes it gets a little chilly so definitely bring a coat. In the summer, it is extremely hot and humid. And three months of the year it rains, rains, rains.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
I don't have kids but the one thing I know is it is an absolute must to get your kids on a waiting list for a school basically the minute you have an inkling that you might be coming here. The schools are very good and competitive. I know a lot of expats like the HKIS (Hong Kong International School) which is world-famous.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
I have heard that special needs children have a hard time finding adequate schooling in Hong Kong. The schools here are (from what I hear) generally quite competitive and maybe not very forgiving in that respect.
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?
Hong Kong has a great immigration scheme where they allow domestic helpers to come in from Indonesia, Thailand, the Phillippines, etc. If you sponsor one of these helpers, it is Hong Kong dollars $3600 per month (divide that by eight for approximate U.S. dollar equivalent) and that gets you six days a week of full-time live-in child care, cleaning, running errands, etc. It is a really nice set up. In addition there are lots of preschool programs as well as stuff like Mommy & Me, Little Gym, language classes, music classes, etc. Hong Kong is a very child-centered city in a lot of ways.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
HUGE. We have tens of thousands of Americans in Hong Kong alone (I think around 30,000 or so). I believe the UK has even more than that.
2. Morale among expats:
I think most people feel geniunely fortunate to be living in Hong Kong. There is something for everyone and everyone finds their own niche. Hong Kong locals are (I found) generally positive, optimistic, family-centered people and I think that attitude is contagious. Of course when you are talking about 100,000 people or so this is a gross generalization, but the morale is probably the highest here that you will find. Everyone that I ever knew/met was having the time of their lives. Expats in Hong Kong work hard and play hard. When people complain it is generally about the pollution, and about how crowded certain areas of the city can get, especially on weekends. If you go to Central on a Saturday, some people can start to feel claustrophobic.
3. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Local Hong Kong residents have small apartments so almost every meal is eaten out. The main form of entertainment for them is definitely eating! As for expats, the bar and club scene is excellent, and it is fun to get a big group together and rent a
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
This is a great city for all. Families, singles, and couples - men and women, gay and lesbian, etc. etc. Anyone would be happy here. The one complaint I did hear from people that have children are during the rainy season (about 3 months a year) the children can feel cooped up and bored and people can get a bit stir crazy.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
See above answer.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Not that I ever saw or heard about. Definitely as a woman, I felt that I probably got more respect in Hong Kong, professionally, than I do even in the U.S.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Oh gosh - you name it, Hong Kong has it. Whatever you are into, Hong Kong probably has a club for it. There is a lot to do. Getting bored in Hong Kong would pretty much be impossible. I think interesting things in Hong Kong include: taking day trips to the outlying islands to experience a slower, more authentic way of life; taking trips over to the spas & casinos in Macau; hiking some of the many fascinating and well-kept trails; participating in a Dragon Boat rowing team; and of course the food/restaurants and nightclubs are world-class. Believe me, you will not get bored here. Also, unlike my previous posting, the actual tourist attractions (Star Ferry, The Peak Tram, Big Bhudda etc.) never got boring for me. Whenever I had visitors I was happy to revisit these places.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Wooden furniture can be made to order from a photo or a catalog for a fraction of the cost of what it would be in the U.S.
9. Can you save money?
I did not! I spent way too much money! I went out all the time, and went shopping all of the time, so that is my own fault. If you ate local food and tried to stick to a budget you might be able to, because food and transport is cheap enough. But, Hong Kong is an expensive city - probably because there is a lot to spend it on!
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Oh, definitely. I thought Hong Kong was going to be fantastic and it was way better than I thought it would be. I would have tried to save some money BEFORE I went.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Out-of-date technology - you can upgrade here for cheap. Old VCRs, Camcorders, etc. - you won't need them and the electronic stuff here is great.
3. But don't forget your:
Rain gear. When it is the rainy season you'll need boots or at least crocs or something, and a waterproof rain jacket. An umbrella is not gonna cut it.
4. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
My Favourite Wife by Tony Parson (even though it is about Shanghai, it captures the feeling of living in Hong Kong right now)
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
My Favourite Wife by Tony Parson (even though it is about Shanghai, it captures the feeling of living in Hong Kong right now)
6. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:
If you can catch the Globe Trekker episode about Hong Kong that is a great one.
7. Do you have any other comments?
If you have read the above, you can see that I am absolutely in love with Hong Kong. Some people get sick of it after 2-3 years but I would still be there if I could!My only advice is if you think the pollution is going to annoy you, or you don't enjoy big cities, I would not come here. Hong Kong is a huge, bustling city but there are a lot of opportunities to go from Central to within one hour be walking on a trail in the mountains, totally alone. It is a fascinating place to be, especially right now, and if you are considering having a child anytime soon, the maternity hospital is supposed to be the nicest in the world!Hope that helps.
