Moving to Hong Kong

My ex-girlfriend went to HK after we split up, and she has now been there for about 12 years, with no plans to come back here. A good friend of mine at the time looked her up when he was out there and they now have 3 kids. They love it there. I don't think you will have any problems at all.

I did two 1-year stints out in Hong Kong and loved it.

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I would welcome any views or experiences anyone is willing to share. Did you have a tough time settling in?

Not at all - it's a very easy place to be an expat.

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Was it difficult to find a flat?

Both times I went there I found a flat and moved in within about a week. The rental market is extensive and there are lots of agencies to help out. Both times I stayed in a place called Discovery Bay, which is about a 25 minute ferry trip away from Central, and loved it.

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Do you ever get over the rent levels?

The rents were expensive, especially the first time I was there, but the salaries more than compensated (as long as you're not on a local salary deal) so it wasn't a problem. On my 2nd stint I even had a place with a garden and fantastic views over the harbour into Hong Kong. At the time it did cost about £3000 a month to rent though...

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Is it tought to get children into schools? Etc, etc.

On my 2nd stint my daughter went to school there and while we weren't able to get her into the Discovery Bay school we did find a good alternative on Hong Kong island (Kennedy School).

I know from a recent visit that Hong Kong isn't quite as good now as it was when I was there (the handover happened during my 2nd stint) but I still know folks living out there that are still enjoying it.

One thing we particularily liked was having a maid to help with the housework and childcare and that meant that we used to go out as a couple a lot more than anywhere else we've been before or since. I also quite enjoyed not having a car for the time I was there, which meant I'd often go for a drink after work with colleagues - something I pretty much never do over here.

If there is anything more you'd like to know then just ask.

Regards
Steve

Hong-kong does particularly well in international comparative studies of the mathematical and scientific literacy of school populations.

Nick

I was brought up in HK.

1961 - 1980.

Went Kowloon Junior School then came back to UK as King George V was not so good.

Island School was very good so was the International School.

But that was 20 years ago.

My Father worked for the civil aviation dept so rents were 7% of salary.

Hong Kong if you are paying can be very expensive. But if your employer is giving good terms then you can live very well.

Used to be members of the Hong Kong Cricket Club which was a great place to go.

There are many sports and social clubs and they are essential for your expat social life.

When i was 17 in 1976 i worked on Alexandra House in Central. Then it was the 2nd tallest building in central. now it is but a minnow.
There were some fabulous HiFi shops there and that is where i got the bug.

many thanks to The Radio People Ltd, Excel HiFi, Jolly Sound Co, Moutries and many others.

Some of the stuff is for HK and far east only.

HK is 220/240 v 50hz as per UK.

We really enjoyed our time there .

I have no desire to return as the HK i knew is long gone. Looking at photos i do not recognise the place.

The amazing flat we lived in at Leighton Hill Happy Valley is long gone. The foundations were undrmined as the secret Japanese headquarter were under Leighton Hill so when they collapsed in late 70's the flats had to be pulled down.

I used to frequent the Bull and Bear, The Galley,the Jockey, thingummy's, the GODOWN and many others.

Happy Days.

SO if you go i hope you enjoy.

The climate can be very interesting . I endured Typhoon Wanda and Typhoon Rose. Also 90 degrees and 98% humidity is fun. But swimming in the sea at Xmas is the reward.

Going to Lantau island used to be a long ferry ride from Central but now the airport is there.

regards David

Thanks for the advice guys. Luckily as it would be a foreign posting the company would be paying us a housing allowance (of course that is an amount to be negotiated). My partner is looking forward to having an "ammah" join our home and tropical warmth in winters. The three of us are really eager to learn Chinese (curiously enough, my son is already taking Cantonense lessons) and are looking forward to the experience.

The one thing I want to avoid, however, is just falling into an expat banker ghetto along the lines of South Ken in London (weekly groceries at Harrod's anyone?). When I first moved to London from Canada I actively tried to avoid all that (rather than frivolties in Fulham, I opted for the decidedly park-free Tufnell Park at first), and am eager to do so again. We shall see.

In any case, as developments continue, I thank you all in advance for your offers of further advice. I shall certainly need it.

Toodles,
Will