Getting started

[pambrent]

Hi there. My husband and I are heading to Hong Kong for an interview he has with Cathay Pacific next month. We will be spending two weeks there when we go to get a better feel for the place. I have tons of questions and am not sure where to start. Any answers would be appreciated.

1. Where should we stay when we're there? We'll spend our first week in the hotel they have chosen for us near the airport I assume, but will likely switch hotels for the 2nd week. Any suggestions on a good area to stay in that is somewhat "central" and easy to get around from. We'll want something clean, but nothing too fancy. I have no idea what prices are like, but hoping to stay to $100-$150Cdn/night if that's possible.

2. Any areas you would recommend checking out or things to take in while we're there?

3. We want to get an idea about living accomodations while we're there. If he's working at the airport, any suggestions of where we would likely want to stay and the price range?

4. I am a teacher, but am currently at home with our 5 month old. I would like to maybe do some part-time teaching when we move there. Any suggestions of where to start looking or things I could do?

Thanks!

[larac]

Do some searches on this forum for Cathay. There have been other Cathay staff that have posted previously and thier experiences are likely to be most useful.

Standard advice for coming here is to get a serviced apartment for the first month or so while you check out the different areas to live but where you live will be largely determined by your budget. Discovery Bay is often heralded the best place for families but others say it is too 'Stepford Wives'. You could consider Tung Chung for being close to the airport or Park Island. HK Island is the most western place to live but also the most expensive. Areas like Happy Vally or the south side of the island are recommended but getting to the airport could be a bit time consuming. If you live in Central/Mid levels/Sheung Wan on the island then you are very close to the airport express - a 23min train ride to the airport. moveandstay.com is a good site for serviced apartments, most require a 1 month stay but there is a hotel in Sheung Wan called Island Pacific that has hotel rooms and serviced apartments so could be good for your 2nd week. The area is quite local but very close to central and easy to get around from. Taxis are super cheap here. Also if you come be prepared to carry your baby around central, it is not pushchair friendly.

Some single Cathay pilots lived in my old building in Sheung Wan. It was a nice place and I just moved out and its still empty so pm me if you want the details.

Check out the westernised supermarkets like Great at Pacific Place or City Super in the IFC - they are a bit expensive but will help you realise that you can get just about anything you want in HK if you look around.

Good luck with your move.

[Kris18]

Having come here with a husband working for Cathay myself, I may be able to shed some light for you. I am actually still living in the Headland now.

Accommodation... During the time you are here for the interview you get to stay at the Headland for the 4 days or whatever they pay for for free. After that/or before you can stay at the Headland for a very discounted rate. Truthfully the Headland at that discount is going to be a way cheaper place (and probably nicer) than you would find to move to another hotel in Central unless you are looking to spend considerably more. When we came for the interview we stayed here at the Headland the entire time and it worked out OK. The bus you take from the Headland to Tung Chung (the closest subway station) is the S64. With the bus ride and then train central (Hong Kong Station on the Orange Line) is probably about 45 minutes away from the hotel. Nothing here is a bad commute since the MTR is such a great transportation system. It is 200 times cleaner and nicer than NYC in my opinion.

As far as looking at housing... You get 6 months to live in the Headland Hotel if he gets the job, and the company will set you up with an agent to help you look, so there is really no big hurry. Also, I understand price range to be very flexible up to a fairly high amount so I wouldn't be too worried about that. The company just has to approve the place and amount. I can understand wanting to check out the options though. We did the same. To see Discovery Bay, which truthfully with a family may be your favorite, you can simply jump off the first stop you come to from Tung Chung on the MTR (called Sunny Bay) and take a quick bus ride in to see the community. You may also want to check out other areas but seeing DB and the Mid-levels will show you some diversity. From Central you can walk up the Mid-levels Escalator to see the area there. It will be much more of a city life than Discovery Bay but is also a big expat community. Other than that, many Cathay pilots seem to want to be in the new territories. For me that seems like such a way of avoiding the really beautiful city life here. For the new territories you may want to see Sai Kung, but that might be too far for your visit for the interview.

As far as the sightseeing goes... Pick up Frommer's Guide to HK before you come. It is an excellent took to read and decide which things you will want to see while you are here. Since you will be staying on Lantau Island I would recommend a trip to the Po Lin Monastery to see the temple and have a traditional lunch. Also the new Sky Rail is open which you can ride up there from Tung Chung and see the sites on the way up.

As for part time teaching... I can't offer too much advice on that except that with a dependent visa here you will be legally able to work with no company sponsorship needed so you shouldn't have trouble finding part-time work.

Feel free to send me a private message if I can help you more. Tell your husband good luck with the second interview!

Kris

[KnowItAll]

Hey Kris, thanks for the super-detailed reply. Didn't know they allowed folks to continue stay at the headland, at a discounted rate.

[Kris18]

Yup, during the interview process it is at a discount, other than the 4 days they cover completely. After that when you are actually depatriated to HK then the company housing covers it for 6 months while you look for permanent housing.

Kris

[takamine]

I'm sure that there is a Cathay Pilots/aviation forum but I don't have the details.

As for teaching, if you are qualified B Ed/PGCE/QKT or equivalent, I heard ESF schools need Supply teachers. Try googling English Schools Foundation for the application form.

[carang]

if you decide to check out Db from tung chung DO NOT get the MTR to sunny bay then a bus. just get the direct bus from Tung Chung! it's much faster (15-20 minutes)!

[KnowItAll]

>> Cathay Pilots/aviation forum

pprune.org

[PDLM]

http://www.pprune.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=100 to be specific

[pambrent]

Thanks for all the tips. My computer is currently on the fritz, but as soon as I get it fixed up I'll be checking into some of your suggestions. I appreciate all the help!

I noticed one of the posts said that a certain area isn't too "pushcart" friendly. Would you recommend bringing our stroller or will it likely be more of a hassle than a help? I had intended on it, but am now reconsidering.