Comparison to Vancouver

[Anto]

Yumiko

Understood. In HK you would also hv alot of tax breaks and pay less taxes then here in canada. There's alot of loop holes in HK.

There are a few places that fit that kind of budget.

Happy Valley district is most similiar to Vancouver, clean quiet, nice friendly people. Alot of designer live in that area. shopping convient, transportation also convient, close to causeway bay.
transportation: tram, taxi, green top van.

Tai Kok Tsui district - Olympic Plaza II is also a perfect place to live, shopping, MTR, clean & quiet. Facilities, security, Swimming Pool (w/steam & sauna), Weight room, billards room, Bowling alley, movie cinema, supermarket & etc..) Flat sizes around 600 - 1200square feet. If your lucky you can get a flat with a view of Victoria Harbour to watch fireworks. (It is a beautiful view) close to mongkok. Not too manny people as it is a residential plaza similar to the residential area at stadium station.
transportation MTR taxi bus station.

Causeway Bay District - Main shopping area on HK island. there's two nice quiet living areas, one near the harbour and the other near time square. alot of the flat here don't have alot of facilities, cos the buildings are older. supermarket 24hrs, alot of restaraunts.
Transportation: MTR, Bus stations, red top van (24hrs).

Central District - Mid levels, Alot of expat live in that area. close to Lan Kwai Fong and Soho. (party area) it's pretty quiet on weeknite and more roudy on weekends and holidays. but it's a really cool if you like to live in an older traditional area, something similar to yaletown. but not many facilities and security is ok.
transportation, MTR, Taxi, Buses, mini buses.

HK uses a full array of broadband networking ranging from 3m 6m 10m. good stable broadband providers, PCCW, Hutchinson. Hutchison has pretty good deals but it is depending on where you will be living. they also hv Icable networking. PCCW is quite expensive abt 210/mth for 18month contract for 6m. Hutchison is abit less plus in there plan they might hv a special for landline phone services.

HK has a lot of mobile phone providers, regular to 3G mobiles. Good and reliable smartone, one2free, sunday. there's alot more but from some past experiences don't want to recommend them. mobile phones are quite inexpensive but very cool. They all provide the very latest models for nokia and sony ericsson & etc..price ranges 700 - 8000hkd. they also should hv the latest IMac mobile too.

PC - you are able to build the most powerful pc in a inexpensive way. compare to here, the flexiblity will amaze you. the variety ranging hardware and software is unbelievable. whatever you need you hv it. best places to look is Wanchai next to the wanchai mtr station. With Mongkok and Sham shui po would suggest you go with someone who you know well and is familier inorder not to be ripped off.

this is an important question, what kind of passport will you be carrying ?

Anto

[Anto]

I think you will find there are more Chinese people in Vancouver

actually there's more chinese in Toronto than vancouver according to stats canada. the chinese community in calgary is also growing.

[Anto]

You really think it's that simple?

If you do work whilst physically in Hong Kong then you are employed (or are running a business) in Hong Kong and will be subject to tax in Hong Kong.

Where the people are who pay you is irrelevant - it is where you are when you do the work that counts. Many expats in Hong Kong are paid in other countries but taxed in Hong Kong. If this were not the case then no-one anywhere in the world would pay tax simply by having their contract of employment in a different country form where they live and do the work.

the taxes in HK is still alot less then it is in Canada almost half of what it is in canada. Plus if you hv a business running in HK you hv alot of other tax breaks if you know how to use it.

[Anto]

I like to get dirty. Where should I spend time? LOL

Try Laos, cambodia, India, jakarta or berma..

[HKChigger]

actually there's more chinese in Toronto than vancouver according to stats canada. the chinese community in calgary is also growing.

Toronto's overall population is how many times that of Vancouver though? I mean you take a walk through Richmond and I am pretty sure you would be convinced you are actually in HK and start pointing out the non-chinese in surprise.

[Yumiko]

Anto: Thanks for the list of places! Sounds like I have a variety to choose from and if I decide to settle in Hong Kong maybe I can find at least one that I like just as much as Vancouver.

this is an important question, what kind of passport will you be carrying ?

I have a Canada passport. I might be able to get a Hong Kong one too---my estranged father was born in Hong Kong, so I think that means I should have Right of Abode in Hong Kong, too? I lost track of my father though so I can't get him to help me apply for Right of Abode.

[Anto]

Toronto's overall population is how many times that of Vancouver though? I mean you take a walk through Richmond and I am pretty sure you would be convinced you are actually in HK and start pointing out the non-chinese in surprise.

I know. I grew up in this area. but its still abit different.

[Anto]

Yumiko

You will need your father HKID (original copy signed by him) and your birth certificate to establish relationship. It will be better if he is there in person with you. this may take about 1 to 3 months depending on yr documents and how busy immigration is.

If you do decide to go to HK. Let me know. I will be returning to HK later on to establish a little busniess there. I might be able to help you. I already hv the right to abode in HK plus china pass and is pretty familiar with the area. Plus got some good friends there to help.

let me know. feel free to email me if you like @ [email protected].

God it's so cold and icy outside right now. So becareful.

Anto

[Yumiko]

My parents divorced when I was 12. I have not seen my father for over 10 years and I don't know where he is (and he probably doesn't care about me either)...

Is there another way I can prove my father was born in Hong Kong to get Right of Abode?

[Anto]

My parents divorced when I was 12. I have not seen my father for over 10 years and I don't know where he is (and he probably doesn't care about me either)...

Is there another way I can prove my father was born in Hong Kong to get Right of Abode?

well, do you still have the original immigration papers ? your father old HK passport ?