Hong Kong or Singapore ?

[wcdma]

Is there anyone out there, who has experience in living in both Singapore and Hong Kong ?

I'm currently in situation, that I have been offered similar type of position in HK and Singapore. Salary wise HK offer is a bit better, including also a bit better benefits. S'pore job would include 50% of traveling within Asia-Pacific, but HK job would mostly located within HK. Generally, I don't mind traveling, but it's also not a_must_have.

When looking at Mercer's Quality of Living surveys, Singapore seems to be doing better than HK, but is this is everything or only one view point?

Any comments ?

[pin]

many many posts about this.

both very similar but different as well.

singapore more family friendly, more relaxed.

hk great if you are single.

[ray98]

Depends on your personal preference for weather. For me, I like the occassional cold couple of months in Winter that SG doesn't have. But SG is cleaner in almost all respects but can be a bit of a nanny state too.

[jwyl]

my personal opinion is that sg is just a cleaner, more sterile version of HK

but at least everyone speaks english there and all the signs are in english

I found that there was more to do in HK and the transport system is better over here, and taxis in Sg are much more expensive than in HK

[Load Toad]

I don't understand the 'sterile' bit about SG - you can pretty much get up to whatever you would in HK with the possible exception of recreational drugs (not that you can't but you are risking a hell of a lot). Otherwise - what degree of filth do you want? 'I'll take the dog turds and fast food wrappers but leave the chewing gum'. Also 'sterile' hardly describes the back streets of Little India or such.



OK - otherwise. SG - cleaner and compared to HK more relaxed and laid back. Not half as 'busy' and 24 hours on the go feeling. Probably better place to be if you have a family.

Both places have loads of bars, clubs and restaurants etc. SG is close to Malaysia & Indonesia so it's easy to get away for a weekend break.
HK has a bit more about it in terms of night-life and directly accessible countryside & beaches - but as above - from SG you can drive into Malaysia in 30 minutes. I'd reckon that with the last few years liberalisations in SG and money spent on arts that both places have similar amounts of things re. arts / culture.

If I was single I'd take HK everytime I think - but if it was a family decision I'd tend to SG. Both places are really safe for Ang Mo / Gweilohs.

Really? - Not much in it - it will come down simply to which feels right to you - SG would appeal more if you like the order, cleanliness and almost 'resort' like feel the place has - rather a town than a city. HK is a rough diamond that you have to work at but well worth the effort put in.

[PDLM]

And Hong Kong has great countryside, 3000' hills for hiking, many hundreds of kms of trails, plus cooler weather for half the year so you don't have to sweat so much over them, none of which Singapore has.

[imparanoic]

what is the censorship like in singapore, some people moan about films shown on HK TV are censored for sexual scenes or swear, would this be worst in singapore.

I gather 'fit birds' books 靚模 would be available in singapore

Censorship in Singapore - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[PDLM]

No - the reason the films are censored in HK is that they are supplied for the "Asian" market which means that they have to conform to the lowest level, which is Singapore, so you get the same standards (on TV at least) in either place.

[jamesii]

great topic - how many times have we seen this?

Agree with most posters:
- HK Single friendly. If you are young, and really want the buzz, HK is for you - plus is actually gets cooler here
- Singapore - Family friendly. Always 29+ degrees. Bigger streets, more space, less crowded.

Personally the food for me is much better in singapore, all those great hawker centres. It also depends on your nationality - i.e. Big Indian, German communities in Singapore, in HK - big French (who all appear to live in Stanley) and mainlanders.
Unfortunately you can't escape the Aussies - they are everywhere in HK and Singapore


However in the end... if you are in Singapore on similar money travelling - if you are comfortable with it, then you will make more in the end.

After many years of consulting and spending months/years in different locations, everytime I travelled I always saved money cause I never spent any of my own

[wcdma]

Thanks for interesting answers !

In the beginning I was considering Singapore more than HK, but during last few days my mind has gone more towards HK, and I wonder if it starts going back and worth, and finally I don't know what to do. :-)

I'm single, and appreciate interesting night life, but still I am not the most active party person.

I have visited both place few times, so I have some experience about both places, but sure living in a country is still quite different compared to few weeks visits.