car included in expat package?

[lemonwood]

We are about to negotiate with my emlooyer a package to move from Oz to HK. I would like to include the cost of a car. IS this a normal part of an expat package?

[PDLM]

Very rare except at the most senior levels. Only a small percentage of people have cars in Hong Kong due to the density of the place and the excellent public transport (and cheap taxis).

Remember that the cost of owning a car needs to include parking, which is expensive - allow $5000 per month for the cost of two parking spaces (one at home, one at the office).

[lemonwood]

Thanks. I did live in HK years ago and drove - so I know the traffic etc. We will live in Clearwater Bay / Sai Kung area and I understood public transport not so good there.

[jimbo]

Thanks. I did live in HK years ago and drove - so I know the traffic etc. We will live in Clearwater Bay / Sai Kung area and I understood public transport not so good there.

Its still good, plenty of minibuses etc to hang hau where you can then get onto the mtr.

[PDLM]

OK - but unless you are very senior (which I guess you're not because if you were you'd most likely have consultants dealing with all this for you) it would be quite unusual to have a car as part of the package. In any case financially it would probably make much more sense to negotiate a bigger salary and then find a second hand car here yourself. You can often find cars in very good condition for very low prices from departing expats.

It would be a bit less unusual to get a car parking space at your office included in the package.

[lemonwood]

That's wise advice. Thanks (It is a senior-ish position but in a relatively small company - hence no access to those consultants you mentioned.)

[larac]

Cars are a standard part of the package at my workplace but that is because the office is well out of the city - if it were in central then I doubt it would be on offer.

Our car comes with a park at the office (we pay for the one at our home), all petrol and road tolls. Make sure you get these extras included as they add up fast.

The car costs around HK$600 to fill up which was enough to get to the office and back for a week, the western harbour tunnel is HK$40 each way but you would most likely use the cheaper eastern tunnel.

[lemonwood]

All good info. Many thanks.