Thanks all for your help! This is really helpful! I come from Singapore where local eateries are really cheap, so no issues with eating at local eateries in Hong Kong. I will also stretch that budget for simple cooking for the other 2 days of the week since i dont expect that i will spend 150 on every meal! Also not a huge alcohol drinker.
Re MPF: I have asked the company if i can be exempt from the first 12 months as that was what i read on the MPF website, but they have said that its mandatory from day 1 (with employer matching).
Re rental: Yes, i was hoping i can find an apartment for 14K for SYP, but i guess a more reasonable amount would be 15K? Is that doable? Would apartments in KT or Tin Hau be in the same price range?
Re Utilities: Good to know that I have over-budgetd! I will put the budget down to about 1K instead of 2K, that will give me extra savings to put aside for trips. That's something i definitely plan on doing!
Re Transport: Yes, i would like to try to take the MTR and/or bus as much as I can. But just out of curiosity, what is an average cost of a taxi from KT to Admiralty in rush hour? I heard the traffic can get bad, so assuming worst case scenario, what would I be looking at?
Re: taxes, thank you! i will look into the tax certificates as forced savings for tax. i put aside 5k as i wanted to take into account the amount taxable for the bonus figure (otherwise i guess my whole bonus would be spent on paying taxes only!)
Rental: 15K (to get more choices)
MPF: 1.5K
Gas, Utilities, Internet, Mobile: 1K
Transport: 1K (About 400HKD for public transport in 1 month, and 600HKD for occasional taxi)
Food - Eating Out: 6K
Household goods/Groceries: 2K
Miscellaneous/Entertainment: 3K (clothes, movies)
Savings for Tax: 5K
Financial Commitments back home (non-reduceable): 22K
Balance (savings for rainy day): 1.5K +/-
I will use the USD5K allowance + some personal savings for the 3.5mths upfront requirement. Is the 2 mth deposit refundable? For the 1 mth upfront, does that go into the 1st month's rent? Or does the landlord hold all 3 months until my lease expires?
Also i have lots of air miles to fly me home (or for other trips) in the next 1-2 years!