The Move to HK - I'm scared!

[sarpesius]

Hello! Moving to HK within the next month. Where do I start??!

I'm a male 25yr old US Citizen. Please help me with any of the following questions you may have an answer for:

Living - Intend on spending about $2000-2500USD per month for 1bdrm. Will be working in Central. Mid levels or central/ sheung wan better?

Cost of Living - Intend on getting fully furnished apartment, but looks like HK is more expensive than US. How about for electronics? Should I bring my lcd tv from USA and other expensive items?

Nightlife - I hear there is a large expat community. Is it friendly and fun enough even if I don't know anyone? Will be working A LOT so not too much time to make friends.

I was thinking of bringing my girlfriend over the short term at least - is this a bad idea? she has nothing to do there except maybe take an online course? will it be easy for her to find friends?

Given all the uncertainties this decision brings in terms of career and my relationship, this is the most stressful decision of my life. Any words of wisdom / help would be greatly appreciated.

It sounds like you are nervous really just about going international. When you have crossed as many borders and gone through as many customs stations as I have, you will regard the whole thing as just a formality before the fun begins.

Don't think about getting an apartment until you get on the ground in HK. You will just find out that you have wasted money on something that did not make you happy. You must check out the districts and the transportation from any particular district to and from work, and to and from shopping for what you need. There are temporary rental or apartment shares being offered in this forum that you might avail yourself of. Personally, when I first hit HK, I would stay in a super cheap hotel like Chungking Mansions. Some of the places are flea bag, but some are well kept up. This will offer you a low-cost way to get a feel for HK. You can then adjust your plans according to your budget. You can pm me for a reference if you wish.

Before you get an apartment, go through this forum thoroughly researching different districts and especially the names of different apartment complexes and rental agents to find the good ones.

Come as soon as possible to get set up in HK before your assignment starts, because you don't want to be suffering the stress of the former, while you are trying to impress the people at the latter with your implacable calm.

If you are a typical American, you are addicted to media, like TV. This is not a figure of speech. It is a real addiction and 99% of what you watch on TV worldwide is junk, that merely propaganizes you into a false worldview. You can use this experience to wean yourself from TV. Don't waste your money either shipping or buying; and the cable and phone companies in HK are notorious ripoffs. Browse through the posts here on that.

You will get a taste on this forum that not all expats in HK are nice guys, and since most of them work in fields similar to yours, this will tell you what this lifestyle is really worth. You will find out that most of the expats are non-American, so when you are over here, you will find out what they really think of Americans (not what American media hides from you). They are not eager for competition from a yank to see who's king of the dung heap. So don't wear your heart on your sleeve, just so they can knife it.

The reason you come to HK or anywhere is for the native culture.

[goleoboy]

It sounds like you are nervous really just about going international. When you have crossed as many borders and gone through as many customs stations as I have, you will regard the whole thing as just a formality before the fun begins.

Don't think about getting an apartment until you get on the ground in HK. You will just find out that you have wasted money on something that did not make you happy. You must check out the districts and the transportation from any particular district to and from work, and to and from shopping for what you need. There are temporary rental or apartment shares being offered in this forum that you might avail yourself of. Personally, when I first hit HK, I would stay in a super cheap hotel like Chungking Mansions. Some of the places are flea bag, but some are well kept up. This will offer you a low-cost way to get a feel for HK. You can then adjust your plans according to your budget. You can pm me for a reference if you wish.

Before you get an apartment, go through this forum thoroughly researching different districts and especially the names of different apartment complexes and rental agents to find the good ones.

Come as soon as possible to get set up in HK before your assignment starts, because you don't want to be suffering the stress of the former, while you are trying to impress the people at the latter with your implacable calm.

If you are a typical American, you are addicted to media, like TV. This is not a figure of speech. It is a real addiction and 99% of what you watch on TV worldwide is junk, that merely propaganizes you into a false worldview. You can use this experience to wean yourself from TV. Don't waste your money either shipping or buying; and the cable and phone companies in HK are notorious ripoffs. Browse through the posts here on that.

You will get a taste on this forum that not all expats in HK are nice guys, and since most of them work in fields similar to yours, this will tell you what this lifestyle is really worth. You will find out that most of the expats are non-American, so when you are over here, you will find out what they really think of Americans (not what American media hides from you). They are not eager for competition from a yank to see who's king of the dung heap. So don't wear your heart on your sleeve, just so they can knife it.

The reason you come to HK or anywhere is for the native culture.

Wow, great advice - now I think he's more scared of his fellow expats than anything else!! :-))) Hahah. Basically I wouldn't worry, I think there are people you should be cautious of anywhere (here / there / locals / expats etc). although I think the expat-circle in HK is probably very small and maybe there is more of a sense of competitiveness between them? Don't let that scare you from making friends. You'll know who's your friend and who's not soon enough - perhaps better to make friends in other industries not competitive to yours? Anyways, you're 25, young, this is a GREAT opportunity to get some international exposure! Best of luck!!

[ggsize]

aaaaaaaaaa

[kiffguy]

I think very few people don't like Hong Kong, so chances you and your G/F will both love it. If you live in a space that is friendly and comfortable, and if she can keep busy.

There is loads to do and to be honest, people are pretty nice to the new guys. I know because I'm a new arrival and other expats have gone out of their way to make me feel at home.

Just walking around the escalator area at night you will see loads of trendy little bars and restaurants and will be able to hook up with lots of other people who are in the same boat as you.

I'm currently staying in a serviced apartment in Sheung Wan - which is pretty central. I walk to escalator and most places and my MTR is only a about five minutes walk away. My apartment is a bit more than what you want to budget, but yesterday I popped in to look at these:

5luard.com.hk and there was a 600sq ft apartment available for about $25HKD. Tiny, but perfect for a young couple. It is in Wan Chai, very central. Also, that comes with everything like a flatscreen TV, broadband and cable TV.

I would think your G/F might feel a bit more isolated in Kowloon if you work during the day. I think Kowloon i great for shopping and walking around, but it is a tight commute during rush hour.

[carang]

thanksgiving is easy... there are many places around that will provide you with a whole cooked turkey and all the trimmings... you pay for it of course, but you'll not miss home!

[HKBanker2007]

wow, I'm amazed by how many people contributed to giving me advice. Thanks to everyone!

Company will provide corporate housing for a month, one time agent fees, and moving expenses so I'm sure my gf will enjoy the task of finding our long term apartment in the meantime. Nea - my girlfriend's initial response mirrored your response to your boyfriend and I've made her read the wallposts here to ease her mind so thanks to all of you!

I'm coming from Houston TX so it is difficult to swallow the housing costs when I currently pay $600US for a 1000sq ft wonderful apartment. I do want to have a nice place so I'm willing to move up my budget to the $3000k zipcode. Will this work?

I'm working at Exchange Square and I want to be able to be home in 10-15mins. I'd like to live in mid-levels (and definitely nothing further) but will my commute time to work be longer than 10-15?

I don't watch much tv - but would nevertheless like a big lcd tv. I have a 47inch LCD, and it seems like the tv runs for an incremental $1000USD MORE in HK. Is that right? figured electronics would be cheaper in HK..
But if you guys think the configurations won't sync up, I should look into it further.

Also - anyone from the US have to deal with tax filings? I will have to file in US and HK? Does anyone know the stipulations around past one year and staying less than one year? I'd like to hire a professional to help me. Would I hire someone here in the states or in HK?

Once again, thanks to all for helping out! I'm hoping to meet some of you when I touch ground if possible!

Thanks

-Mani

[jimmy332]

We like our UK 'Sunday Roasts' but no oven.............just buy a portable one, they are cheap and we find nearly as good as the ones built into kitchens back home..............have a good Thanksgiving !!!

Take a deep breath...it'll all be okay!!!

I cannot offer any advice on finding a place to live, as my boyfriend handled all the details, but I do live in Kennedy Town (as was mentioned earlier) and I love it here, and the rent is decent. I'd describe it as 'old school' and much quieter than other neighbourhoods in Hong Kong. The transit system is great, and there are a million buses you could take to get to work in Central. The hardest thing that I had to deal with in regards to our apartment is the lack of an oven, which is going to make Thanksgiving dinner VERY DIFFICULT!

The expat community is very large, and I've met all my friends here through this website actually. There is ALWAYS something going on.

On bringing your girlfriend: My boyfriend got transfered here for work, and when he asked me to come along, I said ARE YOU CRAZY??? HELL NO!!!. Then I said maybe. Then I said no again. Then I said what the hell, okay hahaha. It was the best decision that I have ever made. If she decides to come, I'm always looking for new gals to hang out with!!

Good luck with the move!

[Nea]

Thanks for the "Thanksgiving" advice...I will have to go the restaurant route...my kitchen is a joke, and I don't even have room for a microwave, let alone a portable oven *sigh*.

HKBanker - It'll be a quick commute for you since you'll be working in Exchange Square, if you live in the mid-Levels, you could probably walk. Me, on the other hand, I travel one hour going to work, and a half an hour minibus ride coming home, so you are VERY LUCKY, hahaha. With your housing allowance, you'll have no problem finding a nice place.

I'm not sure about US tax laws, but I will have to pay taxes in both Canada and HK.

As with any big move, you'll have days that you'll love Hong Kong, and you'll have days of EXTREME FRUSTRATION! I have absolutely no regrets in coming here and I think you and your gf will enjoy your time spent in HK.

[KnowItAll]

>> you'll have days of EXTREME FRUSTRATION!

But it will also be a self fulfilling prophecy at times. If you come in here with a negative attitude, guess what, you're probably going to be back home doing the things you did in your comfort zone in less than a year.

[carang]

nea, why do you have to pay in both canada and hk? while in hk you are a resident in hk...i have been resident here in hk for 12+ years and have never filed in canada....