If you had a choice : HK vs SYDNEY

ontheroad · 27-01-2007, 04:44 PM

If you had a choice, would you live in Hong Kong or Sydney? Pros and cons, everyone!

PDLM · 27-01-2007, 05:08 PM

Given where I am today (with PR in HK) then all other things being equal I wouldn't mind a spell in Sydney, but I'd see myself coming back to HK long term, particularly if the pollution problem is fixed.

The pros for Sydney would be the weather and the environment. The cons would be almost certainly not being able to walk to work, not having a helper, and the locals. Obviously it also depends on disposable income after comparable accommodation and so on.

ontheroad · 27-01-2007, 05:11 PM

I don't have a helper and I can't walk to work here either, but the taxes there are pretty crazy! I'm wondering if the better quality of life is worth it!

howard_roark · 27-01-2007, 05:26 PM

HK, if you are single or in your 20's / early 30's

Sydney, if married.

PDLM · 27-01-2007, 05:28 PM

I think the thing that would get to me first would be the fact that Australians can't/won't "do" service. It's tolerable for a week or two on holiday when the other aspects of Australia make up for it, but I'm not sure I'd like living with it month after month. Having said that, central Sydney now seems to have a high proportion of first generation immigrants from Asia (and elsewhere) which means that things are getting better there - it's once you get outside the centre that you have no choice but to deal with the local concepts of "service".

PDLM · 27-01-2007, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by howard_roark:

HK, if you are single or in your 20's / early 30's

Sydney, if married.

And if you're older than early 30's and single?

DAQUIRI · 27-01-2007, 09:04 PM

Why's Sydney better if you're married?

dropdedfwed · 27-01-2007, 11:46 PM

Originally Posted by PDLM:

I think the thing that would get to me first would be the fact that Australians can't/won't "do" service. It's tolerable for a week or two on holiday when the other aspects of Australia make up for it, but I'm not sure I'd like living with it month after month. Having said that, central Sydney now seems to have a high proportion of first generation immigrants from Asia (and elsewhere) which means that things are getting better there - it's once you get outside the centre that you have no choice but to deal with the local concepts of "service".

What are you saying? If I am getting your meaning of "service" right (please explain, BTW), the reason for this is in Aus they have such thing as a minimum pay, as well as decent unions. This means that (generally speaking) each person is treated the same, and you cannot expect someone to work ludicrous hours for crap pay like you can in HK. This has been done such that the average person has a decent way of life. Sure there are exceptions and people in Oz who are paid crap, but this is not the norm. this is the sort of thing that seems to go to some expats heads. they go to HK, get paid some rediculously high salary, can afford to pay some poor bugger pittence to do crap work at any hour, knowing the person won't complain, then they travel elsewhere and expect the rest of the world to also treat them as if they are king. Just because in asian countries you can afford to pay other humans low down wages, does not mean that the rest of the world needs to bow down to your expectations. re the OP question: depends on your field of work, and what you want to get from the posting. you have a better chance of saving some $$ in HK, but if you wish to see a coutry full of natural treasures (albeit a long drive between the good bits

) then go to Oz...

kakai · 27-01-2007, 11:50 PM

Yeah, l stayed in Sydney for a few yrs for study..... it was quite boring for a teenager like me that time..... i'd love HK more from its entertaining places & "things to do".

9315934 · 28-01-2007, 01:49 AM

Hi Dropdedfwed,

I think Australia is a great country, however, I think you have some misunderstandings on HK. I disagreed with your comment on "ludicrous hours for crap pay like you can in HK". We are Chinese and we work hard. We do not work "ludicrous hours for crap pay" like people in many developing countries. In fact, the GDP and income of HK are one of the highest in the world (top 10). Surprisingly, our income is even higher than Australia. But, of course I agree with you that there is a very high living standard in Australia, inc housing and environment etc. I think your (negative) impression on HK people is simply because of what you have seen in Sydney. However, in fact, HK people in HK are very different from HK people in Sydney. There are a large number of middle class in HK with very high income and education background....

Australia is a great country, so does HK.

Thx...
Wai