Where do I start

[Carloscad]

I left my current emplyer in the Uk a month ago and have since been contacted by one of the directors who has offered me a job in Hong kong, which is something that IH ave been interested in for a long time. It is up to me when I go over there. WE are discussing package this week but I imagine I will be paid 40,000 hkd per month. Is this a realistic budget? And how much can I realistically afford to spend on fixed outgoings - i.e. rent, bills etc and how much will be required to live.

My office will be in the Central district and Im not sure where to live. I would also like any information that you may have about how to go about meeting new people - expat clubs etc etc.

How does the visa process work?

Any Help that you may have would be extremely helpful and greatly appreciated.

[ash12006]

hey pal
40k is enough to live "Comfortably" but you won't be living in the mid levels in a large apartment for that.
i would guess you wouldn't want to spend more than 12-14k on rent which will get you an ok apartment depending on the area...
Would suggest having a look at gohome.com.hk and hongkonghomes.com to get an overall idea of pricing.
Re meeting people, best to stick to expats as most locals don't mix. Probably meet people through your work or just hanging out at lan kwai fong. If your overseas educated asian you'll do ok as most recent expats seem to be of that variety.
The visa process is very easy assuming your human resources is handling it and has an office in hk. Should take 5-8 wks and you can come before its ready to set yourself up and just go to macau to activate it.

[larac]

In your negotiation try and get 1-2 months accomodation in a serviced apartment at the beginning so you have time to find an apartment. Also setting up is expensive you need 3.5months rent in bond, first month and real estate fees to get into your apartment plus you have to pay deposits on your ultilties so try and get a lump sum set up bonus to help you pay for it or at least get the company to agree to loaning you the set up costs that you can repay over the first 6-12 months. $40k is ok but you wont be living the high life. My bills (phone, gas, tv, water, power) come to $1k pm.

[Carloscad]

thanks guys. We are discussing the package side of things on Wednesday and I will know more about it then. DOes anyone have any idea as to the market rate for recruitment consultants. I will be employed by our HK subsidiary and paid out of HK and therefore it isnt realistic to look at UK salaries.

WOrk will pay for my initial flight, 1st months serviced accomodation and ?1,500 towards shipping costs. Although I dont think I will be brining that much. They will also be sorting out my visa. 3.5 months rent bond is a slight worry.

Anyhow this is going very quickly, Im very excited, nervous, scared, but excited and this is something that has to be done.

[larac]

I think Robert Walters has a salary survey on their site. I have seen it on a similar thread previously so try doing some searches.

For the rent you need to pay;
first month in advance
2 months bond
1/2 month to the estate agent
2 year lease that you can break after 1 year making it a 14 month minimum stay.

This is really standard and hard to avoid so best to know and plan for it now.

If you don't want to get that committed you can stay in a serviced apartment long term. You pay 1 month at a time, have a cleaner and no set up costs or bills. Great if you are working to a budget. The power bill skyrockets in summer because you need air-con every minute you are home so in a serviced apartment you wouldn't have to worry about that. I found moveandstay.com to be a good site for serviced apartments but they weren't cheap in central. Causeway Bay had more reasonable deals from memory.

[makwaa1]

I'm going to HK for an internship in 4 weeks, but the pay's rubbish ($5000/month). In Sydney, that's around $800AUD, which is below the Australian poverty line, I think. But the experience is great, so my dad is sending me money every week to live off. According to the budget my dad's set, here is what i'll be spending, which according to my HK friends, is a reasonable standard of living:

-$12000/month serviced apartment in Causeway Bay
-$24000/month spending money
-$5000/month that they're paying me will be used for odds and ends.

So all together, just over $40000/month, and everyone says it's enough.

[PDLM]

Given that the average graduate salary in Hong Kong is about about HK$12000 per month, I would say that's more than enough!

[adam65]

Buddy, most likely the company will use a relocation firm (such as Santa Fe) to sort out the shipping and accomodation search - if so as long as you use one of their approved rental agents (they've vetted for integrity) the agent fee is 25% instead of 50% - and usually the employer picks this up also, still leaves you with 3 x monthly rental to stump up, but saves you 50% of the first month rental.

Good luck, I'm in the same boat and can't wait to go.

[ash12006]

no idea how makwaa1 will spend 24k a month "spending money"
wanchai hookers everynight??
but then again if daddy is paying, why not.."a reasonable standard of living" haha there are so many rich kids in hk

[makwaa1]

Sydney is an expensive city, and so is Hong Kong. I'm used to this kinda lifestyle. I don't wanna be begging... Is that ok?