85k a mth for family of 4

[Just8in]

The main reason for the move would be career progression, exposure to greater China and leading a bigger team. Basically if I stay in SG, it could be at least a few more years before a similar opportunity may open up. However this is also offset by my wife having to give up her career or at the very least putting it on hold, so there is a trade off.

Thanks for the inputs on pollution and schooling. Air quality opinions seems to be mixed. Some folks believe it is really bad while locals or expats who have been there a while don't seem to mind it. We did make a few trips recently to HK as a family, the kids and wifey loved the food but hated the crowds. One thing though, my wife seems to always fall sick every time she is here (she is asthmatic) so not sure if it is a coincidence since we are here for no more than a week each time. I do fly over to HK quite often for work as well but it is a whole different set of considerations now with the family.

[jmbf]

Some useful info in this thread (basically another poster asking about 90K / month for a family of 3) :

https://hongkong.geoexpat.com/forum/...ead316729.html

Check out the cost of living breakdown and see how it applies to you. If your wife is asthmatic I would be a bit hesitant to move here unless there was a very compelling case career or income wise.

[HK_Katherine]

Have you considered leaving your wife/kids in Singapore and commuting? Some folks do it. I commuted weekly between cities a few hours flight apart for some years. You get the career benefits and your wife gets to keep hers. You kids keep their stability. And there are many cheap flights between HK and Singapore. Get a really low cost flat here (just to sleep in basically) and go home every weekend.

[WMDS]

pros = your potential career progression.
cons = lower quality of education for your children, possible health issues for your wife, wife will have no job.

I personally would choose family over career.

[knk]

The key concern I would have with 85K and 4 people is savings (including retirement and kiid's college fund) and lifestyle. Being able to afford to fly everyone 'home' or a take a vacation abroad may not be important, but if they are... I recently have had the pleasure of attending a spat of 3rd birthday parties (I don't have kids) and was overwhelmed by the parties, catering, entertainment, gifts and so forth AND each party just seemed to get more extravagant. Keeping up with the Jones is huge here and it's things like a kids party that really brings this out.

I second HK_Katherines proposal of 'fly in - fly out' !

[Just8in]

Thanks. Yes we did explore the fly in and out option but wifey is not entirely on board perhaps because we have seen others who tried to do the same and it's seems to be hard to keep up the discipline to fly back once there is more work etc. So after a while, people just stop flying back altogether.

I agree it is down to a family quality of life vs career (ironically with less money in the short term) choice now. I also can understand no matter how well we budget, because there are kids involved, it does make it hard to save anything at all. (Hidden costs like kids falling sick, additional classes, playtime etc)

[wtbhotia]

a Scottish workmate of mine, he flies to Philippines every weekend and flies back to HK on monday morning.
He mass buys tickets well in advance and can get very cheap rates.

You should look into this option as well like the above two posters have mentioned.

Scoot Airlines

[jmbf]

If the wife is not on board with the fly in and out option and can't be persuaded then forget it. Nothing can ruin your day faster than a seriously grumpy spouse!

[HK_Katherine]

I don't think you want to do this. I read it in pretty much every post you write! There is NO POINT in doing something you don't really want to do, particularly if as you indicate it results in less money short term and more family stress!

[shri]

Have you considered leaving your wife/kids in Singapore and commuting? Some folks do it. I commuted weekly between cities a few hours flight apart for some years. You get the career benefits and your wife gets to keep hers. You kids keep their stability. And there are many cheap flights between HK and Singapore. Get a really low cost flat here (just to sleep in basically) and go home every weekend.

Commuting is not very conducive to relationships. Seen a fair few relationships fall apart for various reasons. Besides, not very healthy for the kids (in my opinion to have a commuter dad. There will always be weekends / holidays in HK which will prevent travel - and knowing Murphy's laws those will the be weekends when the kids / wife needs the husband to be around.