Hong Kong life vs NYC

[MovingIn07]

lived in nyc for past 7 years, grew up around the area...lived in hk for the past month...

1. humidity- yes it is that bad. take nyc on your hottest most humid day...and add more humidity. at least in nyc, if i stood outside (still/shade) and didn't move, i'd be ok. now i sweat...so even though one doesn't mind walking a few aves/blocks in nyc...the same is painful in hkg.

2. everything in central is covered walkways for the most part- good planning due to the amt of rain...

3. cabbies are jerks in hkg. in nyc, they'd take you wherever you wanted to go...in hk, they kick you out if you only want to go a few blocks...

4. distances to places- i lived on 25th and lex...if i were going out anywhere in manhattan, it wasn't a problem. if i'm in central and decide to go to causeway bay, it's a bigger issue...

5. locals in nyc walk like locals...only tourists stop in the middle of the sidewalk. locals in hk, walk like tourists.

6. ppl don't j-walk. i.e...nyc= no cars/cabs coming, you cross. not so much here

7. nightlife- the clubs in nyc, while selective, always had an out for those looking to get in- buy a bottle/table. in hkg...not so much, if you're not a member, you basically will have a hard time getting into the nicer ones (prive/m1nt)..unless you're white(truth!)

i make it seem worse than it is, but if you're only here on limited assignment like myself, then i'd def. take it. if for nothing else than to make yourself realize where NOT to live...not saying i feel that way, but it's one way to look at the option.


oh. and while the mtr is wel lconnected...I HATE IT. ppl here have no sense of personal space- during rush hour. i.e. on the 456/ace in nyc, i'd always get on the subway, even if it were packed, i'd still have enough room to at least breathe. here, they pack the trains japan style (look it up on youtube)...so much so that i've had to bitch in the mornings to let ppl know, there is no more room! throw in the odd voyeur old chinese guy taking pics of my gf while on the subway...and you get the clue...

There is nothing like a post like this to make you realise you make your own happiness.

Central to Causeway Bay? Get real man. 5 mins on the clean, incredibly frequent MTR or about the same on one of the thousand-odd buses that ply the route. Or a 20-30 min walk - big deal.

Crowded MTR? NO - it's not like Japan. In Japan they force people into the middle of the car so that all the space is actually used. here people cram into the doorway and try not to go into the centre of the car! If you want to breathe, move into the centre of the car.

And I dunno what you have been saying to cabbies - maybe they don't understand you man because I find HK cabbies, language problem and all, about 200% better than any I ever found in the USA and about that fraction of the price!

No jaywalking? Are you wandering around with your eyes closed?

Sure, the walking like tourists is true and the humidity is hell, but it's only been like that for a month or so and will be lovely again by October.

I hope you manage to last long enough here to appreciate the good things about it or if you are that closed minded, go home.

[filin]

You also get to moan about paying tax in two places (if you're earning above a certain amount).

Hmm, could you please elaborate on that? I was under the impression that from the tax perspective, its actually benefitial to work in HK because I wouldn't have to pay the US tax on the first 85K or so?

[filin]

Thank you all for your helpful replies! I'll post back here if I actually end up moving, and then I'll bother everyone again about choosing a place to live

[campas12]

There is nothing like a post like this to make you realise you make your own happiness.

Central to Causeway Bay? Get real man. 5 mins on the clean, incredibly frequent MTR or about the same on one of the thousand-odd buses that ply the route. Or a 20-30 min walk - big deal.

Crowded MTR? NO - it's not like Japan. In Japan they force people into the middle of the car so that all the space is actually used. here people cram into the doorway and try not to go into the centre of the car! If you want to breathe, move into the centre of the car.

And I dunno what you have been saying to cabbies - maybe they don't understand you man because I find HK cabbies, language problem and all, about 200% better than any I ever found in the USA and about that fraction of the price!

No jaywalking? Are you wandering around with your eyes closed?

Sure, the walking like tourists is true and the humidity is hell, but it's only been like that for a month or so and will be lovely again by October.

I hope you manage to last long enough here to appreciate the good things about it or if you are that closed minded, go home.

meh, it's all relative. if you're from east bumblef*ck missouri, or some farm in africa, moving to any real city would be 'great'.

as far as being openminded- i am...i never said i dindn't want to live in hk...i am, and i don't regret it...the guy asked for a comparison for nyc...that's what i gave him.

[bklynfan]

Hmm, could you please elaborate on that? I was under the impression that from the tax perspective, its actually benefitial to work in HK because I wouldn't have to pay the US tax on the first 85K or so?

I was under the same impression...

So under 85K (USD I assume) you only pay HK but after that you also pay US taxes? Of the remainder? How does this work?

[KnowItAll]

Most of us who are not American, only have to pay HK taxes, which are much lower. Hence the original comment... that you're paying taxes in two countries if you make more than $85K (or whatever the new limits are).

[Claire ex-ax]

Folks asking about the tax need to check with a US tax accountant (there are some in HK). What I know comes from talking to US citizens. I believe the 85K also includes accommodation if supplied.

Some people I've meet have been ticked off about the double taxation. Some want to pay US tax only. Some want to pay HK tax only. Some want HK tax to be more like US tax, a million pages of tax regulations but with more possible deductions.

If you're not earning the 85+K, you're fine. Otherwise start your search for an accountant and see if you can get the cost included in your expat package.

[jonnye]

Oh good - one less person clogging up the wonderful hiking trails at the weekends!

Thanks a lot

The trails are yours if you feel that way, I promise to stay away from them...

Preconceived notions aside, I am not looking to walk about in the middle of the day just because I can.

bklynfan - I think you may have missed the humour in the reply. It was a slight teasing at the response that the pollution here is so bad that you can't do any outdoor activity.

There are plenty of outdoor activities available in Hong Kong not just the hiking that PDLM alluded to. Football, tennis, hockey, rugby, cricket all seem to be adequately catered for. Plenty of basketball courts around too.

[backpacker]

about the tax thing, the exemption is $87500 for your federal tax only...you still have to pay state tax.

[campas12]

about the tax thing, the exemption is $87500 for your federal tax only...you still have to pay state tax.

i'm 99% sure your'e wrong. states do not tax if you're not workign in the state. federal only taxes abroad ...cause it can (sorta).

I'll be speaking with my tax guy over the next few days to get specifics on my situation...but basically, yes, you're marginaly better off cause you're essentially getting a tax break on the first 85 or so thousand US....

you def. don't pay MORE than you would if you were living/working in the US...i think the main issue is us americans in hkg feel a little jealous at all other countries which don't apply a world tax to it's citizens...but at the end of the day, we still are paying less working in hkg than in the US (of course if you're making millions, than the 85K at 15% is nothing)