Is Hong Kong really that undesirable when it comes to bringing up a child?

[imparanoic]

but when I go home to visit them, they are living in 3,000 sq ft houses, with an acre of land, two large cars and blue skies, clean air and plenty of space to move around. In many ways, the people back in the US have a higher quality of life than I do...even though I make triple or quadruple what they do. I choose to stay here because I have learned to tolerate (and even enjoy) the inconviences here...but mostly because my bank account is growing

sounds like my village, 2100 sq ft houses, vast fields of grassland, barely any buildings, a single main road ( not even busy), car ownership is much higher ( necessity rather than luxury), clean air visible for miles ( can see eastern side of shenzhen looking from a the north western pov and shueng shui and fanling from south with is infact almost 7 miles away) from mountain top

probably more wild boars per square km than people in my village

[kimwy66]

OK, I get where Kim is coming from now. Didn't really want to come to HK but had to because of Husband's work. I'm sure if you asked her husband he would have a different opinion. Her somewhat negative view of HK does not really have a balanced positive side, yet.

Haha, yes ask my husband. Just don't stand too close when he rants about how Hong Kong is going to drive him to an early grave. I love how you can assume so much about someone who is a complete stranger to you.

[MovingIn07]

I live in London, so the contrast living in HK is slightly less than let's say Cornwall or Bath. I do still find London still has a lot more outdoor space to offer.. Hyde Park/ Green Park etc. Although you can really only enjoy those for a few months in the summer. May I ask what drove you to HK then? Career?

Anyone who thinks that London has more outdoor space than HK has clearly never left their flat. Sure, Hong Kong has less GRASS than central London, but it has a HUGE amount of outdoor space, much more than a few parks in London. There is nowhere to go hiking in London, you cannot got to the beach IN London, or climb natural outdoor climbing routes etc etc. HK has a HUGE area of country parks - many of which are accessible by walking out of the door of someone living just about anywhere in HK - in Central/Kowloon OR NT. Get off your backside and go and explore.

Try this: www.meetup.com and search for hiking; or this www.hongkonghikers.org

[HowardCoombs]

Hong Kong has a bustling economy due to CEPA and the growth in this region, so making money is relatively easy if you are willing to endure the filthy air, polluted waterways, cramped housing, noise everywhere, queues everywhere, people bumping into you whereever you go and extreme heat and humidity.

I make considerably more money than my counterparts in the US...but when I go home to visit them, they are living in 3,000 sq ft houses, with an acre of land, two large cars and blue skies, clean air and plenty of space to move around.

Lets not mix up fruits here shall we.
Are your friends in central Manhattan, London, Istanbul, Milan, Mexico City, downtown Toronto, central Paris? Ummmm, no - they live out in the boonies with big commutes to get to the workplaces they need to be at.

[closedcasket]

Lets not mix up fruits here shall we.
Are your friends in central Manhattan, London, Istanbul, Milan, Mexico City, downtown Toronto, central Paris? Ummmm, no - they live out in the boonies with big commutes to get to the workplaces they need to be at.

No...they live in "suburbs" of cities throughout the US, including NY, Chicago, Kansas City, Dallas, Denver and LA. There are affordable, large housing options adjacent to US cities with garages and back yards. Most of the time you can find these options within a 30 minute or less commute.

Hong Kong is obviously much different than anywhere else in that it has 7 million residents fighting over only 1000 sq km of land.

[kimwy66]

Anyone who thinks that London has more outdoor space than HK has clearly never left their flat. Sure, Hong Kong has less GRASS than central London, but it has a HUGE amount of outdoor space, much more than a few parks in London. There is nowhere to go hiking in London, you cannot got to the beach IN London, or climb natural outdoor climbing routes etc etc. HK has a HUGE area of country parks - many of which are accessible by walking out of the door of someone living just about anywhere in HK - in Central/Kowloon OR NT. Get off your backside and go and explore.

Try this: www.meetup.com and search for hiking; or this www.hongkonghikers.org

That was the OP you were quoting, they haven't been to HK yet.

but on the subject of HK has this, London doesn't, perhaps you needed to get out and about in London more if you lived there at some point. I have done a few great walks within an hour's train ride of central London http://www.walkingclub.org.uk/book_2/index.shtml It even has a 'beach' http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/ruislip-lido.php plus a few more 'pop-up' beaches in central London in summer.

Rock-climbing? http://www.bowles.ac/outdoor-activities/rock-climbing an hour from central London.

You can get most things you can get in Hong Kong elsewhere, sometimes a lot more. You can't get HKs tax rates or high salaries everywhere. Hence why some expats come for money and nothing else. Nothing wrong with that. Nothing wrong with coming because you like HK.

Like I've said before, it isn't about HK has this and it's better, it's about the subjective experience of the person looking to come. If you come from the slums of inner-Birmingham (no offence Brumbies!) HK might seem like paradise to you. If you come from London and you have taken full advantage of living there, you might feel differently. I came from somewhere I liked, I have a house in a different place I like, I have lived in other countries I liked. You might not like those places. That's ok too, we are all different, and I don't mind that you might not like my places.

If you are a positive person and you come from the most amazing place on earth, you will probably deal with it ok. If you are a negative type, and you come from somewhere you like living, chances are you will struggle to enjoy HK. But that's ok too, just focus on your plan in coming here, get through your time and leave. No shame in not liking the place you are in. Nor is it a case of the grass is greener. You know where you have been happy and you know where you aren't. Consider what you value and make your decision.

[MovingIn07]

If you are a positive person and you come from the most amazing place on earth, you will probably deal with it ok. If you are a negative type, and you come from somewhere you like living, chances are you will struggle to enjoy HK. But that's ok too, just focus on your plan in coming here, get through your time and leave. No shame in not liking the place you are in. Nor is it a case of the grass is greener. You know where you have been happy and you know where you aren't. Consider what you value and make your decision.

This is very true indeed and the reason, I think, so many expats are so unhappy here. Strangely enough, I think if they got paid less they would be happier. Being paid a "hardship payment" for coming here puts you in the mindset that this is a "hardship posting" right from the get-go. If you come with an open mind, a sense of adventure and a willingness to try something new, even Somalia or Afghanistan is probably quite fun.

But on the subject of London (the place I was born) ... you seriously comparing an hour in a high speed (hugely expensive) train to a short ride on the MTR in HK.....?????

[HowardCoombs]

No...they live in "suburbs" of cities throughout the US....Hong Kong is obviously much different than anywhere else...

And that difference makes comparisons pretty futile; hence my suggestion of not mixing fruits.

I can answer OPs question (HK undesirable WRT bringing up a child) and my answer is no, its not undesirable at all. In fact its one of the reasons we are staying here, for the kids.

Its safe, top notch schools, variety of indoor&outdoor activites, opportunity to learn 2 native languages, good friends, fantastic public transport, (mostly)lack of inner city social issues, (mostly) lack of substance abuse issues at school and much more.

Sure there are better place and there are worse places but is it undesirable? Hell, no - its very desirable from my families point of view.

[closedcasket]

This is very true indeed and the reason, I think, so many expats are so unhappy here. Strangely enough, I think if they got paid less they would be happier. Being paid a "hardship payment" for coming here puts you in the mindset that this is a "hardship posting" right from the get-go. If you come with an open mind, a sense of adventure and a willingness to try something new, even Somalia or Afghanistan is probably quite fun.

But on the subject of London (the place I was born) ... you seriously comparing an hour in a high speed (hugely expensive) train to a short ride on the MTR in HK.....?????

I think what said about coming here with an open mind and a good attitude is true....for the first year or two. I could move almost anywhere for a short period of time and enjoy learning about the people and the culture.

However, after the "newness" wears off....that's when you need to make a lot of money in Hong Kong..imo. The tiny flat works for a year or two...but to make it long term here..it helps to be making a lot of money so you can improve your living situation, go on a lot of holidays, eat at nicer places and most importantly save a lot of money....

[closedcasket]

And that difference makes comparisons pretty futile; hence my suggestion of not mixing fruits.

I can answer OPs question (HK undesirable WRT bringing up a child) and my answer is no, its not undesirable at all. In fact its one of the reasons we are staying here, for the kids.

Its safe, top notch schools, variety of indoor&outdoor activites, opportunity to learn 2 native languages, good friends, fantastic public transport, (mostly)lack of inner city social issues, (mostly) lack of substance abuse issues at school and much more.

Sure there are better place and there are worse places but is it undesirable? Hell, no - its very desirable from my families point of view.

My point is that Hong Kong lacks the option that most others have.....to grow up, have kids and move to the suburbs....

Most young people start their career living in a manhattan per se..and than when they have kids, they move out to Brooklyn where there is more space, a yard, etc. etc.

Hong Kong doesn't have that option...and perhaps that is why many expats leave after their kids get to a certain age. Raising a family in a small flat, with no yard is a pretty big sacrifice for some....

To each their own, if it works for you...great. That's all that matters. I'm just offering up another side for those people who are moving here with kids. I don't think it is a good place for kids...especially long term.