By Jamie Douglas
Expat life in Hong Kong has its ups and downs. Those who are employed have very good incomes for the most part, but the astronomical cost of housing pretty much dictates that your employer sending you there will need to cover that, as $5000 to $10000 per month for apartments is not unusual at all. The recent housing boom has done little to alleviate the acute shortage of dwellings.
The legacy of the British occupation of course is a big plus for expats, in that the city features first rate infrastructure, schooling, and health care. The level and cost of health care are almost on par with the US, with hospitals and clinics that are world class and costs rising constantly. Because of these rising costs, it is highly recommended that you obtain insurance from a good carrier. It is good to remember, here, that the lowest price is not always the best. Coverage varies wildly, and you have to be sure that most Hong Kong medical facilities are listed therein.
If you are moving to Hong Kong with school aged children, it is important to check out the educational options available to you and your younglings. Public schools are good and plentiful and your children may enroll in them, provided you are all legal residents. For those wanting a more tailored approach, something resembling your home country’s teaching methods, there are many international private schools available, for a higher price, of course. Here are a few links to the more popular institutions:
You may find the links to the German, Swiss, French Montessori and many other schools here:
Hong Kong of course is one of the words most important financial centers and many expats living there are involved in the financial industry, drawing salaries commensurate with the cost of living. Pretty much everything of an everyday nature is between expensive and very expensive to the visitor; however, for the resident it is a similar situation as living in Oslo, Zurich, or Geneva, the three most expensive cities in the world. It is all relative. Hong Kong does not even make it to the top 10. It is number 37 on the list of the costliest places to live as an expat. Maybe that explains the staggering numbers of luxury cars competing for space in this relatively small territory.
Food here is great and plentiful, and perhaps one of the more affordable pleasures to be had. You will find a large selection of fine dining establishments as well as eat on the street establishments, which serve good food at affordable prices. Unlike many other places where there is some risk to partaking in culinary delights on street corners, the government in Hong Kong is very strict about health regulations being observed by food vendors on the streets. So go ahead and sample that weird looking unknown. It probably will not harm or kill you.
As for entertainment, this is definitely an alpha city, offering the best of Eastern and Western culture. Fine art museums, classical as well as modern ballet recitals, all varieties of music, including American blue grass and country western, Chinese opera, old world classical music performances, and much more. In short, there are as many things to do in HK as there are days to enjoy them. A very favorite past time for many is Karaoke, which, mixed with alcoholic beverages, leads to some memorable performances.
If you are transferred to HK or are already there, this is Hong Kong’s time in the lime light. Enjoy it, because nothing lasts forever.
Jamie Douglas
San Rafael, Mendoza
Home of that Fine Malbec Wine, also available in Hong Kong’s finest establishments!
