Is Quality of Life better in HK than UK?

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  1. #41

    Join Date
    May 2006
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    Pampanga, Philippines
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    My take on HK is that I love it because it is such a mix of cultures, so as far as food goes I can eat my western food, my wife can eat her Philippine food and we can also eat Thai, Italian, Indian, Chinese, the list is endless. I live in a Chinese dominated area but to be honest don't mix that much outside the UK and Filipino communities except for work.


  2. #42

    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    UK-HK
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    27
    Quote Originally Posted by Boris:
    Iden
    Thanks for the words and agree whole heatedly.
    I think Stevie Wonder should get a helper.
    Hey - not trying to take sides here. JayKay's entitled to express his views here, eh?

    Must admit, my first 6-8mths in HK, a long while back, I was sorta clueless... So-called BUSY & not inclined to explore "the local" & other myriad options.

    Depending on the individual, guess it takes time. It's just that it took me a bit longer before learning more about HK life &, in my own way, settling in. Things got interesting once I picked up speaking Cantonese, & understanding some of the chatter around, while mixing a little.

  3. #43

    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    UK-HK
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    27
    Quote Originally Posted by jaykay:
    We also have the VIP card and are regulars in Jusco, usually the Lok Fu store, sometimes Tai Po. One thing Jusco is good for is baby and kids stuff and we love the place for that.
    Yeah, it's a pretty good department store, tho' could be bigger... Especially love the sushi & sashimi counters (Hm, Jusco should thank our rave reviews).

  4. #44

    Thanks to all of you for your very helpful info. I'm not too worried about food, as I don't eat dairy products and i try not to eat bread. I do have a real love for asian food, especially sushi and thai. I also don't eat too much red meat and am totally open to experimenting with food. I love noodles and rice so I'm sure I'll be more than happy with what HK offers.


  5. #45

    Join Date
    Oct 2005
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    14,486
    Quote Originally Posted by barbiepike:
    Thanks to all of you for your very helpful info. I'm not too worried about food, as I don't eat dairy products and i try not to eat bread. I do have a real love for asian food, especially sushi and thai. I also don't eat too much red meat and am totally open to experimenting with food. I love noodles and rice so I'm sure I'll be more than happy with what HK offers.
    You're in the best place to be then, Sushi is so much cheaper over here, Think of yo sushi but ten times the choice and less than half the price and you're getting there.

  6. #46

    Hi

    Hi Barbiepike,

    I used to live on Lamma Island (just off Hong Kong) for just over a year and loved it. It is a beautiful island and totally unlike mainland Hong Kong. There are no cars, or high rise blocks of flats, instead you are surrounded by greenery, nature (including beautiful butterflies, frogs and birds) and some nice beaches. People either get around on foot or bike.

    A lot of expats live on the island alongside local Chinese residents. I found everyone really friendly, helpful and easy to get along with. Luckily my brother lives there, so when i arrived, he was able to introduce me to a lot of people and i soon settled in.

    I took the ferry and then a bus to and from work everyday (along with a lot of other Lamma residents) which wasn't a problem. The daily commute was over an hour there and the same coming back, but the ferries are very regular and you don't have to hang around for ages.

    Lamma island gets mixed reports as a lot of people think that Lamma is full of hippies/druggies and lost souls. Sure, its a bit of a party island, but there are many other things to do other than stay up all night. There are some BEAUTIFUL walks to go on around the island and some fantastic seafood restaurants to eat in. Many families live on the island too and there is a real community and laid back feel to the place. It does seem to be a bit of a magnet for musicians, artists and creative people which makes the island a really vibrant, interesting and colourful place to live in. I met some fascinating people from all walks of life there!

    Like you, i like being outdoors and being active. Lamma is a great place for this. I joined a ladies dragon boat team called the 'Lamma Ladies' which was fantastic, theres nothing like being out on the open water and being part of a great team. There is also an outrigging team if that floats your boat ('scuse the pun).

    Living on the island is a hell of a lot cheaper than living in Hong Kong. You can rent out a 2 bed place (700 sq ft) for just over £100 between you per week. The flats on Lamma island are very spacious compared to some of the shoe boxes you get on Hong Kong. Many of the flats on Lamma have roof top balconies which are huge and have great views of the sea and greenery.

    After living there for a year, i came back to England (regretably) with money saved! I don't think i would have been able to do that had i lived in Hong Kong. If i'd been able to, i would still be living on Lamma!

    One of the interesting things about the flats all over Hong Kong (including the flats on the islands) are the kitchens are tiny. You'll find that most kitchens have 2 cooking rings to cook off and thats it. Its rare to have an oven in the kitchen, as not much baking seems to go on in Hong Kong and most people go out to eat as its so cheap.

    I feel i had the best of both worlds living on Lamma. I could go into Mainland Hong Kong if i wanted to be in the buzz of the city (it only takes between 20-30 mins on the ferry, depending if you get a slow or fast one) or stay on Lamma surrounded by nature and greenery. The air felt a lot cleaner on Lamma than Hong Kong and it feels like the sun is always shining. I think the best time of year is Oct-Nov. Its not so humid but the sun is still quite hot.

    I feel like i've gone on and on about Lamma, but it really is a great place to live if you want to be close to the beach, nature and save money!!

    I would highly recommend moving to Hong Kong-its such an exciting, interesting culture and you've got nothing to lose by going for it-you really won't regret it! Good luck with whatever you decide to do


  7. #47

    Quality of life

    Just a note to let you know my thoughts on this subject. I moved here with my husband and two children from London in July and absolutely love it. In fact at the moment having been back to the UK at Christmas, I'm not sure whether I could ever live there again ( clearly these feelings might change in a couple of years ). I go hiking three times a week and at the weekends after the kids have done all their sporting activities, we go to the beach and seem to live a more 'outdoor' type of lifestyle. Depending on your budget, you might like to have a look at Tai Tam when you come out here to visit which is on the Southside of Hong Kong Island. Its very green but you've also got the sea right on your doorstep. I would say go for it - you won't regret it.


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