Hi, as the title of my post suggests, I am a single twentysomething female (U.S. securities lawyer) moving to HK the first week of October and am just posting to introduce myself. I'll be living in corporate housing in Kennedy Town for the first 30 days and then likely moving to the mid-levels (i.e. anywhere near Bowen Road as I am an avid runner).
Anyhow, I'm madly excited but am curious about some aspects of ex-pat social life. If anyone could give me the down-and-dirty that would be great! Let me know things re: ease of making friends, dating life (since I am single), and all that good stuff. I'll be working long hours most of the time but will still always find time for a proper G&T!
Cheers!
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14-09-2007, 08:55 PM #1
Single Twentysomething American Girl moving to HK in October!
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16-09-2007, 01:57 PM #2
Welcome to HK. I had similar questions when I moved from New York to HK late last year, and even though I am an ethnic chinese, i had some problems adapting to the language and food. Getting around will be easy once you get the hang of the MTR. Taxis can be a problem so it might be a good idea to have the destination written in chinese and to keep the address you stay in chinese on you. There are tons of places to hang out, party, etc....there are also good hiking trails though not as good as in the US. I do the Wilson Trail on Sundays which takes me from Parkview near the Mid Levels to Stanley. Working late here is a given...I think most of us here put in 9-12 hour days 5 days a week. Good luck.
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18-09-2007, 11:14 PM #3
Welcome to Geo! I spent a good six years of my life in and around NYC. There are a surprising number of NYers and ex-NYers on Geo. I live in the Mid-Levels and I'm down in Kennedy Town a few times a week. I think you'll find the differences between NYC and HK interesting. You won't have a hard time finding a good G&T, although some bartenders here tend to be a little heavy on the vermouth.
Expat women tend to have it pretty good when it comes to dating here. Lan Kwai Fong is the place to be if you like to party, and a cab ride home won't cost you more than $5-6 US. No tip required either. Geo is perhaps the most efficient way to make new friends. I'm always amazed at how friendly, openminded and intelligent Geo members are, and how amazingly diverse we are too.
One thing about running here is the pollution. I just went for a run with my brother, and both of us noted the pollution is pretty bad right now. I have friends who moved to NJ several years ago and were told to quit smoking by their doctors. The pollution's even worse now.Last edited by jayinhongkong; 18-09-2007 at 11:16 PM.
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18-09-2007, 11:47 PM #4
Ahh Jay be careful this is a loaded statement as I know at least two dozen expat women that say when they moved to Asia for a career that they unknowingly and unwilling gave up dating. ***It would be interesting to hear the perspectives from other Geoexpaters on this topic.***
True a majority of expat women have it relatively easy in Asia as the cost to pamper oneself with weekly manicures, pedicures, massage and bi-weekly facials is a fraction of the cost in the US! It is true that most people put in 12 to 15 hour days so this makes it easier to relax and de-stress.
It is extremely safe here - sometimes after working late I find myself on a nightly run or walk at 1am! Being from Boston and having lived in a other major cities in the USA in some places I would think twice before doing such a thing.
Shopping here as a female is an adventure - some things you can get great deals on - like several make-up brands in places like, Sasa, Bonjour and even Fanda.
There are great sales and just about every place has a VIP card from restaurants, to retail stores and luxury brand shops. These shops/stores tend to only have specials and sales for their VIP members - a majority of the membership either requires a minimum purchase or just your name - but getting these is good - as one can get a special VIP only sale which sometimes have up to 60% or more of the original price. Most of the time the card is not required as the shops can look it up via your name and/or with some type of identifying number (i.e mobile number or birthday, etc.) I have several friends who keep a spreadsheet of their VIP membership and numbers and share it with a small group of friends as it almost assures that every store/shop/restaurant one goes into there is a discount of sorts offered. For years I put of getting such cards and even being involved but having learned from others I can see that these type of things can a big difference both in cost and selection.
Plus, airfares to other destinations from HK are extremely cheap making it easy to get away for weekend or a few days.
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19-09-2007, 12:19 AM #5
I did say 'tend,' so it's only a tendency. Some women definitely have a harder time here than other places.
Depends what you're looking for too.
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19-09-2007, 02:22 AM #6
Which kinds of women find it hard to date in HK than in other places? I found dating in NYC to be maddeningly difficult, so I can't imagine HK to be any worse. As for what I'm looking for, I notice that I tend to gravitate more toward foreign men (esp. Brit/Aussie) than Americans, but that's not at all without exceptions and is probably the only dating "quirk" that I have.
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19-09-2007, 02:43 AM #7
you will love HK. I dont know about dating, didnt experience anything yet
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19-09-2007, 04:58 AM #8
in all honesty, from the sounds of it, you seem to be pretty well off. Being someone in your financial position you would probably want someone around the same salary as you.
Through all my girl-friends that live in HK, they say that the older, more well off men are very stuck up and full of themselves. Only like to flaunt money etc etc.
BUT they have had a few good experiences. I found through them, that meeting guys in Lan Kwai Fong at the bar is not the best place to meet guys. i guess you can strike lucky sometimes though.
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19-09-2007, 10:33 AM #9
LKF is not the place to meet women for me. I find dating in NYC to be way easier than here in HK, but that's because I tend to like American women best, mainly because we communicate better.
One thing about HK is the expat population is pretty small. There are way more people who speak English (well) in a city like New York, which is why I had a significantly easier time meeting women there.
One reason why expat women don't meet guys here is that a lot of the foreign guys have money and are chasing younger Asian women. A lot of people come here with their significant others in tow too. Then there's the whole isolation thing: the long hours means you don't have as much time or energy to socialize, and some people voluntarily isolate themselves too. I guess the more work you put in and the more you're willing to accept, the easier you'll find your situation. Looking purdy doesn't hurt either.
Oh yeah, one thing that sucks is the transitional nature of the expat population. I've been back for almost three years and got into a great relationship, but my girl left and will probably never return. At least in NYC, people have a greater tendency to stay put.
Friend of mine just pointed out I said bartenders go heavy on the vermouth. Looks like I was thinking martinis rather than G&T.
Last edited by jayinhongkong; 19-09-2007 at 10:40 AM.
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19-09-2007, 11:06 AM #10
HK v NYC
If you are in any way decent looking you will find it no problems getting a date here. Doubt it will be LKF that does it though unless you are in to the drunken one night stands. You will meet people quickly here and then that special someone will take your eye - and off you go.
Good place to live - lots to do espacially if you are in to the great outdoors. Hiking, Wakeboarding, sailing, beaches, drinking, eating, more drinking, tennis, hockey, squash, cricket, soccer, drinking etc etc.
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Originally Posted by jayinhongkong:
