Should we stay or go?

[Coolboy]

Agreed, I think he objects to the term 'shit' ;-) without really getting that it means relative to the alternatives in Switzerland (and throughout most of Europe)

Who uses "shit" as a relative term? Shit connates a very negative quality, pretty much the worse. HK museums are mediocre compared to those in London. Accuracy in description matters.

[civil_servant]

Carrie Lam will make Hong Kong cultured again.



Then Switzerland can eat shit.

I think the OP got out of this thread what she needed. I think @shri can close this.

[SonicYouth1]

The argument is getting a bit ridiculous, you might as well add these categories as well:

Quality of tennis players
Switzerland 1 - HK 0

Who makes the best tasting chocolate
SW 1 - Hk

(Insert another subjective category here)
SW1 - HK

[bak875]

BTW, I'd like to add I consider the star ferry, peak tram, big budda and that statue on a mountain near lion rock tunnel to be museums.

[civil_servant]

BTW, I'd like to add I consider the star ferry, peak tram, big budda and that statue on a mountain near lion rock tunnel to be museums.

Add squatter villages to that. We can call it an open air museum.

[civil_servant]

Who makes the best tasting chocolate
SW 1 - Hk

Hong Kong has 3 silver awards.
Switzerland has 2 bronze awards.

Hong Kong wins.

https://www.internationalchocolateaw...%93%209%3A00pm.

[Elegiaque]

For heavens sake, who moves to a country because of museums?! Even my art historian friend prioritizes money over museums, and she was NOT bored in HK!

I think the perspectives here of Hong Kong being a western cultural desert are quite sad.

Turns out the salary difference and taxes is quite a lot. When you think of a concrete, 6 figure amount you can save each year here, makes it hard to consider going back. That old argument. If not now then when. Which six figure are we aspiring to and why... Really hard questions to answer. It was easier to decide in 2019.

[ByeByeEngland]

I can’t believe I’ve decided to wade into this one.

For a City that has no deep history in comparison to London and many other places in Europe and for a City that developed with a money, money, money culture I actually find HK really interesting if people get off their arses and actually take the time to appreciate life beyond the Island and TST.

OK so the Natural History Musuem is small but it is still worth a visit. The Walled City park is small but still worth a visit and then a google or YouTube stint. Culturally does it have the arts and sciences? No of course not. It has much more for the general public in terms of decent sports facilities and open space that many people appreciate. Try walking around central London. Green Park, Hyde Park, Regent’s Park. Beyond that virtually everything, including public transport, eats a hole in tourists pockets.

Try going to a beach in the UK and buying food, ice cream or alcohol at the same price you would pay locally. The only place I’ve seen that tries to inflate prices here is TST promenade and the shops at TST Star Ferry.

HK is too easy to knock at times. I’d take this over London 7 days per week.

[civil_servant]

That old argument. If not now then when.

It becomes easier once you get to the what if never stage. Then you truly make this your home.

All those things that people mention above that are drawbacks to Hong Kong are available to us on vacations, business trips, etc. I own a cottage in Northern Italy thus me living in Hong Kong doesn't stop me from enjoying that part of the world. Plus we have alternatives nearby in Asia that a European would need to travel hours for in order to get them. Instead of aspiring to a certain figure, you can also think of how you can maintain your income and get more time for the things you love doing. I think you're on that path. So why not take it?

[Elegiaque]

I can’t believe I’ve decided to wade into this one.

Try walking around central London. Green Park, Hyde Park, Regent’s Park. Beyond that virtually everything, including public transport, eats a hole in tourists pockets.

Try going to a beach in the UK and buying food, ice cream or alcohol at the same price you would pay locally. The only place I’ve seen that tries to inflate prices here is TST promenade and the shops at TST Star Ferry.

I'm not disagreeing with you, but in London we walked the London LOOP and the Vanguard Way (to the coast). It was the highlight of our time in the UK and we sorely miss those pastoral walks right now (especially my knees).

It becomes easier once you get to the what if never stage. Then you truly make this your home.

All those things that people mention above that are drawbacks to Hong Kong are available to us on vacations, business trips, etc. I own a cottage in Northern Italy thus me living in Hong Kong doesn't stop me from enjoying that part of the world. Plus we have alternatives nearby in Asia that a European would need to travel hours for in order to get them. Instead of aspiring to a certain figure, you can also think of how you can maintain your income and get more time for the things you love doing. I think you're on that path. So why not take it?

These are all great in theory and I appreciate the suggestions and ideas. They don't necessarily fit with our personalities or situation, though. I personally don't agree with overusing flying and living internationally because of the environmental costs -- it's a personal choice. I also like having pets, and I have two cats that need to be taken care of and cannot easily come and go with us. My other half doesn't like being "stuck" somewhere as he likes exploring new places. For some, they would be satisfied for life with the HK trails. In a way it's all about managing a relationship.

We don't necessarily need to maintain our incomes, but rather find more time for things (at least this is the problem of my partner).

I've found, I think, that I can do some top-up training to become a secondary school teacher that would lead to long-term job security for me in Europe, so I feel with that security that I'll have "something to do" that will also generate an income there is more reason to go. It would also put us in an even better position to come back to Asia in the future.