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Salary v/s Cost Of Living in HK

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  1. #1

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    Salary v/s Cost Of Living in HK

    Anyone finding it difficult to survive in HK with their salary and cost of living? I feel like I am near poverty level here whilst in cheaper places like US or Europe I could live much more comfortably...

    decben likes this.

  2. #2

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    Quote Originally Posted by DimSum88:
    Anyone finding it difficult to survive in HK with their salary and cost of living? I feel like I am near poverty level here whilst in cheaper places like US or Europe I could live much more comfortably...
    Book yourself a cheap ticket back to Southern California?
    MandM! and toni_celin like this.

  3. #3

    When was the last time you lived in the US? Cheaper? In what domains of life? The US is a large country and many regions are expensive. Could be even more expensive with taxes and health care.

    But back to your question. So far so good here. Outside of rent and school, I find HK reasonable in terms of costs.

    MandM! likes this.

  4. #4

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    I may seem obvious but you have to live within your means. I would love a nicer home (I rent), to eat and drink out more and at higher end places. Lots of people I work with live in better homes and have luxurious social lives. I have different priorities so moderate my lifestyle to allow me to save. HK provides a marvellous opportunity to build a solid financial foundation. I save a similar percentage of salary as I did elsewhere, it is much more money as I earn more here.

    I don't know your situation but look at where your money goes first.

    z754103 likes this.

  5. #5

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    Salary does little in Hong Kong to improve the quality of life IMO. If we are talking about cost of living, most cities with strong job & property markets will be expensive too. Having said this, dollar-for-dollar, Hong Kong represents the poorest value:

    - Dilapidated buildings
    - Narrow walkways overrun by zombies
    - Cars that are separated by nothing but a little space from the pavements
    - Lowest quality foods, produce and eating out options
    - People trying to stab your eyes out with their inconsiderate pointing. What's with all the pointing being done in Hong Kong? I can't understand this
    - Sharing tables and having no space
    - Rude service staff

    The good things about Hong Kong are:
    - Low tax rate if you really are building wealth
    - Proximity to Asia
    - Airport is not too far from the City centre
    - Fast escalators

    Also, check this link out... done my a comic artist:

    https://www.buzzfeed.com/kevintang/1...ong-and-taiwan

    kimwy66 and Skyhook like this.

  6. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by DimSumBond:

    - Lowest quality foods, produce and eating out options
    Too many things to comment on... This stands out though, and I think your observation here says a lot about your general disposition in Hong Kong. Best leave. You'll be happy until you're not.
    civil_servant likes this.

  7. #7

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    Quote Originally Posted by Kowloon Goon:
    Too many things to comment on... This stands out though, and I think your observation here says a lot about your general disposition in Hong Kong. Best leave. You'll be happy until you're not.
    Yup stands out for me too as absoulutely spot on. People will decide when it is best to leave, which will be when then money no longer outweighs the negatives. Money is a great motivator to ignore the downside, and some people have a greater ability to deal with the negatives. Only works for so long though. Most expats I knew when we came here have long since left and love their quality of life out of HK.

  8. #8

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    I'm just calling it for what is is.

    There is a reason why people who were bought up in Hong Kong are petit/ petite. It is poor nutrition. Let that sink in.

    To eat well, one would need to spend a lot of money.


  9. #9

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    Quote Originally Posted by kimwy66:
    Yup stands out for me too as absoulutely spot on. People will decide when it is best to leave, which will be when then money no longer outweighs the negatives. Money is a great motivator to ignore the downside, and some people have a greater ability to deal with the negatives. Only works for so long though. Most expats I knew when we came here have long since left and love their quality of life out of HK.
    Perhaps this is a measure of when it is time to go? First few years I thought the food options were great, towards the end not. Clearly the food options didn't change, just my personal attitude. Mind you I would kill for some of the western options now .
    Kowloon Goon likes this.

  10. #10

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    Your views, hobbies, and interests change over time. Be willing to call it quits when the time comes.

    greenmark likes this.

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