Possibly moving to HK from Melbourne!

[DDKRLWalters]

Hi...
We are a family of myself, hubby and 3 daughters aged 7, 5 and 4....potentially moving to HK...
i have been trawling the website and reading lots of info here and also on other forums.. but still feel a need to ask questions....
My husband is being courted for a job in HK... I am resisting... WE have just returned to Melbourne after 3 years away, most recently in Bangkok...
The cost of living in HK seems rather high...is it compared to Oz?

I am keen to hear from other families who have children a similar age to mine to find out ...
Is it a good quality lifestyle..
Cost and quality of housing compared to Australia?
Cost of family living?
Schooling?
holidays?
Is it easy to settle in.... Our children have only just settled in here and Im concerned about changing schools again...
How good are the schools in HK??
Do you kids love living in apartment complexes? Lots of other kids to play with?
How good are the nannies/maids? Are they expensive?

I know its a lot of questions and sometimes very subjective... Im just looking to chat with people in similar circumstances, to find out how happy you are!! Are you glad to went to HK? both emotionally and financially??

Would love to hear your thoughts... advice??

cheers and thanks
Debra

[Char Siu King]

In short, the answers to many of your questions I think depend on income. If your husband is on a generous expat package and they pay for your kids to go to an international schoool and pay for rent in a nice area with lots of other kids to play with, yes, quality of life is probably pretty good for a family of 5 like yours. If not, sounds like a nightmare cramped in a small flat with 3 soon to be early teens in a super congested and hectic city (compared to Melbourne).

[DDKRLWalters]

Hi, he will be on approx $2mill HKD for the year (net -after 15%tax)... and I will probably work also... We will have to pay all expenses out of that such as 3 school fees at AISHK... and i would like to live close to the school...
knowing this.. what are your thoughts? is this enough to have a GOOD life in Kowloon Tong area, nice apartment, school fees. From my research it appears just enough to get by, with nothing left for savings. Thoughts?
thanks so much
debra

[PDLM]

It's enough to have a fabulous life almost anywhere in Hong Kong! Some people really have no concept of reality. It is about 15 times what the average household makes in Hong Kong, even before any income you get. It's more money in one year than many Hong Kongers earn in their entire lives.

[Hamlay]

Also depends what your current income / standard of living is like in OZ.

I'd much rather earn HK$1.5m net in live in Melb. than HK$2m and live in HK. But if you say earn less than HK$1m net in OZ then I'd choose HK.

Anyway doesn't sound like your that keen at them moment, especially considering your recent return from Bangkok.

As others have said 2m will allow a good standard of living, but maybe not a happy family life.

[hullexile]

I am going to be negative here but this is a personal view and others may have a totally different experience/perception.

I don't think the life for young kids is that great here. Too many just go to school, go home, stay indoors. Lots of activities are available but they all seem planned, no spontaneous fun in the street. That is one of the reasons that we have decided to ship the family out of Hong Kong and me commute weekly. As I say others may have a different experience. My girls are 12, 3, 2. Now they are in the Philippines they are out all day playing in the street with hundreds of other kids or round other people's houses. Hardly ever see them!

Another question you asked was about nannies. Very cheap (live in) and generally good quality.

[bdw]

There is no need to live so close to AISHK because they have about 18 different bus routes that go all over HK (and HK is quite small). The school hours start early and finish early to avoid traffic peak hour.

My son loves AISHK by the way.

[bdw]

One more thing about AISHK. If you are planning to apply, do it FROM AUSTRALIA BEFORE YOU ARRIVE IN HK. They give the highest waiting list priority in this case. They have a bit of a waiting list, especially the younger ages.

[minhk]

DDKRL

(1) Expat life in BK is better than in HK in terms of getting better value for money with apartments/houses.

(2) Depends on where you are from in Melbourne and depends on where you are planning to live in HK
- If you are going to be a BelAir mum, I don't think you'd be feeling too terrible. But BelAir is too far for the kids to commute to AISHK. You'll have to look into ESF schools instead - British system.
- Sai Kung/Clearwater Bay/Hong Lok Yuen are good options for Aussie mums who yearn for space but you'll need a car. Depending on the type of car you want, it can get expensive in HK.
- Kowloon Tong is nice but expensive! Something comfortable and nice would cost quite a bit.

(3) AISHK has a waitlist - Australian kids are on that waitlist. But in general, there isn't too much drama to get in. The waitlist does clear. Clearwater Bay school - an ESF school for the Sai Kung/Clearwater Bay area has a waitlist too.

There may not be a lot of space in HK but there are lots of after-school activities. HK kids are far busier than their Aussie counterparts. It just involves more money.

I'd rather be back home with HKD2M as you'd probably save more after you foot the bill for school, housing, car and after school activities. The price for AISHK is the cost a very reputable private school in Melbourne e.g MLC, Scotch College, etc.

[bdw]

If you are going to be a BelAir mum, I don't think you'd be feeling too terrible. But BelAir is too far for the kids to commute to AISHK.

AISHK has a bus from Bel Air departing at 07:00am daily. Cost is $3775 per kid per term round trip.

I guess with 3 kids, you will be spending about $400,000 yearly on school (fees, buses, everything else).