I'm not from the US, but prior to arriving and preplanning, I googled and discovered Geoexpat in order to ask questions so that I'd know what to expect from HK life. Upon arriving, the LAST thing I thought of was to seek out fellow expats from my own country. My first help, and now a friend, is the PA of my husband's boss , who is a local. The rest, I have met some through groups listed in HK Meet up, Internations, geoexpat groups. Infact, I couldn't say I'm best buddies with anyone from my home country, but friends with people from different countries and walks of life. That's what has given me a positive perspective about living in HK.