Hi all
Have been digging into this website and found a lot of useful advice.
I will be moving out with my company in a few months and have been trying to put a budget together for costs of acommodation, utilities and transport of goods from home.
Are there any hidden costs that I have missed that i need to budget for?
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11-07-2007, 07:09 AM #1
Hidden Expenses
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11-07-2007, 08:45 AM #2
Just curious how we would know if there is hidden costs you have missed in your budget if we don't know what is in your budget?
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11-07-2007, 09:04 AM #3
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11-07-2007, 04:46 PM #4
Whoops, forgot to add that part.
The budget is what I am trying to work out at the moment. The company isn't paying for a relocation company but are paying for a relocation package so trying to source prices.
My budget for a rented flat is about 10K max and am looking in the Kowloon district near the olympic MTR for property.
As for hidden cost (as well as unplanned), i'm thinking along the line of start-up expenses:
Connection to Utilities
Mobile phone prices
Deposits
ID Cards
Purchase of White goods in furnished flat
Again any info would be helpful
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11-07-2007, 04:48 PM #5
Many companies will provide an allowance of 1-2 months salary for setup costs, if it is a transfer.
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12-07-2007, 03:24 PM #6
You need to pay a deposit for gas, electricity and water. They are in the region of $600 each from what I recall. These are payable in your first bill so 1-2 months after arrival.
You will need 3.5 times your rent in the first instance: 1 month deposit, 2 months rent in advance and 0.5 months for the agency fee.
You can trade in your current phone to get a discount on a new one. You could also just get a new SIM (PAYG) for about $60 for the time being. I just got one for a friend who was visiting and calls back home were charged at the same rate as local. Your phone will need to be unlocked though. It's only UK phones that are locked as far as I know but you can get that done in various places. For a new phone with contract, depends what your budget is like but you can get them for under $500. You usually need to pay a deposit for IDD (international calls), I paid $3000, and perhaps your first months rental (under $100).
HKID is free...just a couple of boring hours at immigration tower.
Hope this helps!
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12-07-2007, 07:16 PM #7
Quote
Originally Posted by ExpatInTraining:
