Salary in HK

MovingIn07 · 22-05-2013, 02:39 PM

Although the points Dipper was making about objectives are very valid. For folks who want to recreate their home lifestyle and view HK as a hardship posting, a LOT of money is necessary to be happy. I think we can all point to a few (past and present) posters who appear to live in this category.

I had a great salary living in Kuala Lumpur and a fabulous flat (probably one of the biggest and nicest places I have ever lived). Company car, cost of living allowances, flights home, +++. Still hated the place and couldn't wait to leave and give up all those luxuries just to go to a "nice place".

nonopie · 23-05-2013, 11:34 AM

$20,000 will definitely get you something decent around your working area, if you're worrying abt to be ripped off, i can introduce my real estate agent lady to you guys, she's a nice and professional lady(works for 21st century) who will get you good bargains, and of course some times you need a bit of luck too when hunting flats.

shsteve · 23-05-2013, 06:11 PM

In my opinion, with both of you on that salary you will be very comfortable......I would spend less on rent by living in the NTs and run a car!

Having a car and living than is cheaper than living in HL/Kowloon and using public transport? I would not think so but would be interested in comments from people that do have cars in NT.

chris_yang22 · 23-05-2013, 06:22 PM

Originally Posted by shsteve:

In my opinion, with both of you on that salary you will be very comfortable......I would spend less on rent by living in the NTs and run a car!

Having a car and living than is cheaper than living in HL/Kowloon and using public transport? I would not think so but would be interested in comments from people that do have cars in NT.

Either way, they're going to have to fight traffic. They can choose, people or cars? Also, with those salaries I would live in the city, if that's what you want or are used to. The new territories is BFE.

PotatoGun · 23-05-2013, 07:34 PM

My girlfriend and I just moved here on 19000 per month each. Based on what we've seen we should be able to survive relatively comfortably. We are both English teachers, btw. Is this a fair salary for an English teacher or did we get done over a bit?

MovingIn07 · 23-05-2013, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by PotatoGun:

My girlfriend and I just moved here on 19000 per month each. Based on what we've seen we should be able to survive relatively comfortably. We are both English teachers, btw. Is this a fair salary for an English teacher or did we get done over a bit?

You'd have got lot more on the NET scheme. But if you have no experience, it's fair.

PotatoGun · 23-05-2013, 11:29 PM

Originally Posted by MovingIn07:

You'd have got lot more on the NET scheme. But if you have no experience, it's fair.

Yeah I think we missed the sign up date for NET, but I at least satisfy the requirements for the top level, I think. I was a high school teacher before I decided to move overseas.

Thanks. Might be in a better bargaining position once we have some experience. I only ask because it seems some of my girlfriend's colleagues who are on the same pay aren't nearly as qualified as we are.

RobRoy · 23-05-2013, 11:30 PM

Originally Posted by MovingIn07:

Certainly some folks answer this way. But not every expat is a banker. There are plenty of teachers and general industry folks for whom 40k is a pretty decent living. It all comes down to your expectations and previous history. Friends of mine who moved to HK after teaching in Taiwan and Thailand thought that a salary in HK (including housing allowance) of under 40k was an absolute fortune and were saving > 60% of their salary. I would not have moved here for it - but having lived here now for nearly 6 years - would (and do) accept some months I get that or less. I would probably say for me, living a semi-expat style lifestyle - that 40k for a couple is the minimum to have a comfortable life with a fair number of luxuries if you live somewhere sensible - but probably not that comfortable if you wish to live in Mid Levels and eat out in Soho.

But if you are working in the South of HK Island, take a look at Aberdeen and surrounds (or even Lamma) for much more sensibly priced accomodation.

Sure there is not one answer fit all.

My statistics hunting was about finding the figure, that in my example was 75K, to be able to give a more fair general guidance and starting point for expats/foreigners, instead of referring to the median income in HK or the like..

MovingIn07 · 24-05-2013, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by PotatoGun:

Yeah I think we missed the sign up date for NET, but I at least satisfy the requirements for the top level, I think. I was a high school teacher before I decided to move overseas.

Thanks. Might be in a better bargaining position once we have some experience. I only ask because it seems some of my girlfriend's colleagues who are on the same pay aren't nearly as qualified as we are.

If you are a proper qualified teacher with real experience, yes, it's low. Very low. You'd probably double it (incl. housing allowance) on the NET scheme.

PotatoGun · 25-05-2013, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by MovingIn07:

If you are a proper qualified teacher with real experience, yes, it's low. Very low. You'd probably double it (incl. housing allowance) on the NET scheme.

Right. I guess we will need to properly look into it. I did want to have a go at TEFL though, especially teaching adults, and didn't really consider proper schools this time around, though. But if we can make that much more then it's definitely something we'll need to consider. Thanks.