How much should I come to Hong Kong with?

[barnesc]

You have many options - bring a bunch of cash with you or just transfer it (that's your decision)

I would bring money for:

Covering 3.5 months for the apartment ( how much depends on where you want to live)
Deposits on your utilities (just to be safe assume 1000 HKD per utility needed)
Money for food, transit, entertainment until you are getting a steady paycheck (talk to your HR department and find out when you will be paid and when you will receive your first paycheck)

If your company is providing you with a serviced apartment for a month - that should help you out with the money situation. It's too hard to give actual figures, but things you'll need money for is a lot easier for us to give you advice on.

Assuming you have your apartment situation sorted out for the first month that you arrive (serviced apartment paid by your company) 2000 USD should be plenty to have on hand... and having access to more in a bank account back home... Or parents or friends that will help you out in an emergency :-)

Best of luck!

[bak875]

Isn't your HR dept providing any assistance? In my company expats get a relocation allowance of USD 5K and the keys to the service apartment upon arrival THEN they start their search for a home.

Also they pay for the estate agent fee.

I thought this is the norm.

[jaykay]

Isn't your HR dept providing any assistance? In my company expats get a relocation allowance of USD 5K and the keys to the service apartment upon arrival THEN they start their search for a home.

Also they pay for the estate agent fee.

I thought this is the norm.

There is no norm actually. Some get everything, others get nothing.

[Satay Sue]

Isn't your HR dept providing any assistance? In my company expats get a relocation allowance of USD 5K and the keys to the service apartment upon arrival THEN they start their search for a home.

Also they pay for the estate agent fee.

I thought this is the norm.

Didn't happen to us

[chingleutsch]

Bak875 is obviously not a teacher .......

[tien long]

Bak875 is obviously not a teacher .......

Ha, exactly. As a short aside, during an interview with the educational consulting company which I will start working with later this month, they said that they'd set up a service apartment for me when I would arrive and give me two weeks to find an apartment. After receiving the job offer, however, they then told me that the service apartment that they have an agreement with didn't have any rooms. Thus, I myself had to find a hotel to stay in for two weeks and pray to god that I'll be able to find an apartment on my own.
Yeah, it's a learning experience, and yeah, I expect to get a big wake up call when I come to Hong Kong, but sucks nonetheless.

Still, thanks for the inform concerning how much money to bring, for both renting an apartment, utitlities, and spending. Definitely was considering bringing a whole lot less then I originally intended.

[fraxbo]

Bak875 is obviously not a teacher .......

I am moving to HK August 1 and actually am being provided with a relocation package and serviced apartment for two months as well as a housing allowance thereafter. And yes, I am a teacher (though on the university level, if that makes a difference). So it seems there is variety throughout.

[chingleutsch]

I am moving to HK August 1 and actually am being provided with a relocation package and serviced apartment for two months as well as a housing allowance thereafter. And yes, I am a teacher (though on the university level, if that makes a difference). So it seems there is variety throughout.

True, the employer and grade of the job makes a HUGE difference. Happy moving, Fraxbo!