Leaving HK for the kids...

[hullexile]

I know i'll get shot down for this but life really isn't that bad (for me). On the ground it's very different to what you read/see. UK media loves to do itself down. (Quite a refreshing change from HK/China)

Yes, yes, yes - figures are horrendous I know.

But...if you have the ability to choose your life style, pick when and where you go then life's pretty good. I'm very much enjoying being back. Glad I'm not still stuck in HK. Missing the winter Hong Kong weather though!! Planning a getaway to Barbados for a bit of sun soon though.

But no, other than if you are very wealthy, I wouldn't choose to return a family with children quite at the moment.

Yes it was a much more open, spacious, relaxed lifestyle, with friendly welcoming people especially for my wife and kids. Shame about the winters though!

[ByeByeEngland]

Fascinating thread. My kids are grown up and lived their entire lives in the UK. My concern with anyone bringing kids up in HK or Singapore isn’t the standard or education and what they learn about the world or is suppressed. I’m trying to be subjective about what I’d do if my kids were still in the early stages of education. I’m not a fan of the US system. UK on the whole is fine but the pressure to go to Uni and still end up in McDonald’s makes no sense to me. I can’t answer that and don’t envy others facing that choice.

I would worry that once they go out into the big wide world are they ready for it. We forget, protests aside, how exceptionally safe both places are.

Does anyone have any direct experience of this and any thoughts?

[Daniel08]

I chose the UK over HK and would do so again without any hesitation. Though perhaps not right at this moment

@hullexile, are you in HK now though? Or have you been here and left a while ago? I hear a lot of people saying country X over HK but most of them who stay in HK do that cause HK give them opportunities they wouldn't be able to get elsewhere (for example financial compensation, convenience etc.).

Don't get me wrong. I also see the cons of HK, however, the expats that have been in HK/are still in HK are here because they are reaping the benefits and this obviously outweigh the cons of HK.

[hullexile]

@hullexile, are you in HK now though? Or have you been here and left a while ago? I hear a lot of people saying country X over HK but most of them who stay in HK do that cause HK give them opportunities they wouldn't be able to get elsewhere (for example financial compensation, convenience etc.).

Don't get me wrong. I also see the cons of HK, however, the expats that have been in HK/are still in HK are here because they are reaping the benefits and this obviously outweigh the cons of HK.

No I left. Took a big financial hit to do so.

[Aramis]

Let's be real, wherever kids are they will have opportunities that they don't have elsewhere. Schools in HK are horrendously expensive but generally provide a nicer environment for kids than many if not most state sponsored schools with amazing trips every year(if you can afford it). It's a bit easier to be involved with elite sports or arts which again provide unique experiences and there's an exposure to culture and language they might not get. Parents can have home help which if they don't work like crazy can afford more time with kids.

On the other hand, kids tend to lose out on space, outdoor experiences, life skills like working on the house or cars with parents, the pollution is horrendous, not much home parties, no getting cars and driving a 16-17. Of course that's not to mention being currently jailed in HK with an authoritarian government and a police force that engages in terrorism.

At the end of the day, the answer is one for each family to figure out weighing what the alternatives are and what is right for them. In the current climate, it's more than fair to consider looking at alternatives. The virus crisis is also much more severe in urban areas so going to a western country is not necessarily the nightmare that is sometimes painted.

[abehan]

Any advice on moving from HK to Canada. Nearly 20 years in HK, as a teacher, from India. I am 48,with two kids. All good documents (IELTS 8.5, Liberal Arts Degree equivalent to Canadian 4 year degree, 2 post graduate degrees of 1 year each. Spouse's brother and family in Canada. Age is an issue but financially self sufficient.
Going back to india after 20 years is a nightmare!!! Tried to resettle back to india 3 years ago but failed, kids couldn't cope with the weather.
Holds an Indian passport
Any possibility ?

[MABinPengChau]

Canada has a lot of investment visas...can try one of those if you have some $$ saved up.

At around that age I briefly immigrated to Ottawa (long story) as an American and the visa was kind of a hassle so I can't say that it's easy.

[mrgoodkat]

Any advice on moving from HK to Canada. Nearly 20 years in HK, as a teacher, from India. I am 48,with two kids. All good documents (IELTS 8.5, Liberal Arts Degree equivalent to Canadian 4 year degree, 2 post graduate degrees of 1 year each. Spouse's brother and family in Canada. Age is an issue but financially self sufficient.
Going back to india after 20 years is a nightmare!!! Tried to resettle back to india 3 years ago but failed, kids couldn't cope with the weather.
Holds an Indian passport
Any possibility ?

At that age Express entry is probably impossible and I don't think any Provincial Program invites teachers. If you have money you can go the owner/operator route and sponsor yourself for a job offer and then PR. Better talk to a lawyer.

[abehan]

Thanks for the advice, will consider.

[Aramis]

Any advice on moving from HK to Canada. Nearly 20 years in HK, as a teacher, from India. I am 48,with two kids. All good documents (IELTS 8.5, Liberal Arts Degree equivalent to Canadian 4 year degree, 2 post graduate degrees of 1 year each. Spouse's brother and family in Canada. Age is an issue but financially self sufficient.
Going back to india after 20 years is a nightmare!!! Tried to resettle back to india 3 years ago but failed, kids couldn't cope with the weather.
Holds an Indian passport
Any possibility ?

I know there is a very big shortage of teachers in Quebec, they were even hiring people with degrees if they committed to completing their education degree while working. Not the place with the greatest weather and not the kind of indian community you find in Toronto or Vancouver, they're also a bit more xenophobic there especially towards muslim but maybe worth looking into if you are keen. There's also the French thing. I'm not sure the family would cope any better with 6 months of winter and -30C temperature.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montr...ebec-1.5694681

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montr...inds-1.4577746