Moving to HK- Cost of living ...

[bargfeldstegen]

The last time I checked, you were saying OP's salary is not be enough. Why worry him with BS advise? I have seen families that moved from the UK and living on 60K comfortably.

Where did I give BS advice? OP will certainly not improve his financial situation (in the beginning).
And also, Park Island, Tung Chung and Gold Coast are NOT convenient places to live, as commuting will be a headache (Tung Chung slightly better, due to MTR station). Please don't mix up traveling times on the bus or train with actual door-to-door traveling times.

[HK_Katherine]

I thought so too but my wife thinks it's waste of money as we've always wanted to sample living outside UK for a few years! She thinks we should just got for it!

Wise woman. That salary is plenty. You have already realised you will need to commute. I'm guessing you looked at a mtr map to choose Tung Chung? Which is fine but you missed a huge number of other options that may be nicer. I live in the Gold Coast. There are resident buses to Olympic (tung Chung line) in the morning and back in the evening. Imho nicer standard of living than Tung Chung but everyone has their own views. Best solution is to get a rental for a month when you first arrive and take a look around see how places feel. And as others note, getting the kids into a school is probably a key driver of where you will end up!

[Islmvp25]

Thanks bargfeldstegen.

Just to clarify- are you saying that based on the figures I provided in my OP, I will not be financial better off in HK? Based on my research it seems as though I will be but perhaps I am missing something???

[Islmvp25]

Thanks all for the responses- much appreciated. Will look into the areas suggested.

In terms of budgets/expenditure- is the following realistic?

1. Utlities- 3k a month (gas, electricity, water and 1 mobile phone contract).
2. Grocery shopping for family of 4 (Shopping at market mainly plus occasional shopping at supermarket) - 3k a month
3. Monthly travel pass-600
4. Eating out, 4/5 times a month in avg restaurant - 2k a month.

Thanks

[Mat]

Thanks all for the responses- much appreciated. Will look into the areas suggested.

In terms of budgets/expenditure- is the following realistic?

1. Utlities- 3k a month (gas, electricity, water and 1 mobile phone contract).
2. Grocery shopping for family of 4 (Shopping at market mainly plus occasional shopping at supermarket) - 3k a month
3. Monthly travel pass-600
4. Eating out, 4/5 times a month in avg restaurant - 2k a month.

Thanks

Family of 3 here plus a helper:

- we own our flat so rent not an issue but for the rest:
- utilities 3k - ok but bear in mind it will be more during summer (air conditioning)
- groceries - too low. We give our helper 1.5K a week (and we buy stuff on our side too) - and we don't eat super fancy
- travel pass ok
- eating out will be more. Just yesterday was eating at Satay Inn (not a high end resto per se) - bill came out at 700hkd (for me the wife and the toddler) - so budget 3K on that one

[TheBrit]

2. Grocery shopping for family of 4 (Shopping at market mainly plus occasional shopping at supermarket) - 3k a month

This is a budget of less than 100 dollars a day to feed a family of four. You probably could do it but I wouldn't want to try. I would say most expats families spend at least two or three times your budget.

[alexdown]

3. Monthly travel pass-600

If I'm not mistaken, that's per person, and covers only the tung chung line.
Otherwise is pay as you go?

[bargfeldstegen]

Hi! You will move your whole family around the globe. You will need to spend a lot just for the move and to settle in.

As stated before, just signing a rental agreement will cost 3,5 monthly rent, which could cost HKD70,000.

Schooling is an issue, I doubt you can send your kids to local schools due to language and culture barrier, and international kindergartens and schools cost up to HKD15,000 / month (per child), Kindergarten being cheaper. This is just the tuition fees, add bus, food, trips, uniforms, etc.

Also, dont ignore random expenses, like going to Ocean Park, a few drinks in Wan Chai, beauty products for your wife, new television, christmas gifts, sudden trips back to UK because Grandma got sick, etc.

Leisure traveling is also expensive, as you always need to fly to get out.

Also, you need to save for your own retirement.

If you want to continue eating and living western standard, it will cost a lot. Cheese, cold cut, decent meat, milk, juice, etc is expensive.

You will be OK, but especially the first year will be costly, and I doubt you can save a lot.

If your wife can work as well, it will be a no-brainer.

Try to get a housing allowance, maybe HKD25,000. This will save a lot of headache.

[monomono]

eating out (HK$400 for a family of 4 is possible)

$200 is possible Even less if mcd.

[merchantms]

I agree with all the comments on food. Food handling and safety here are not great. I used to live near a large wet market and regularly saw meat carcasses, poultry, and eggs sitting out in the heat. My helper is the daughter of a fisherman and every time I asked her to find something nice she'd come back shaking her head "not good." I spend a fortune on imported produce from reputable butchers/fishmongers as a result.