Anyone work or life in HK?

[z0mb13]

So my old boss wants me to join his company in HK (I am currently in Shanghai).

The pay would be better of course, since living expenses there are higher as well.

So any HK ATOTERs? Do you like living in HK?

I am still single, with no dependants.. so the move would not be very hard to do.

 

[miketheidiot]

SSSnail was there iirc

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: miketheidiot
SSSnail was there iirc

I've been there a couple of times for vacation, but just want to know how it is to actually work and life there

 

[Mide]

what kind of work do you do if you don't mind me asking?

 

[George P Burdell]

Sorry bro, last time I was there Kai Tak airport was still open.

 

[sunzt]

Get used to smaller housing. Hong Kongs feels like a big US chinatown... but with higher prices.

 

[Born2bwire]

I recently moved to Hong Kong. I enjoy it a lot, plenty to do here but the language is a bit of a barrier for me.

 

[0roo0roo]

too many people in too small a place.
but some people like that i guess.

 

[Imdmn04]

Stay in Shanghai, Shanghai has everything that HK has, except it is way cheaper.

 

[andylawcc]

I grew up and live in HK for most part of my life. PM me for the specifics, but I do love HK after living in Los Angeles for nearly 10 years. What I do not love about HK is the weather, but since you lived in Shanghai, I guess pollution, humidity, and heat aren't much of a deterrent to you.

I haven't been to Shanghai, so I won't knock it or compare objectively; but do give Hong Kong a chance. Just spend 3-4 days in HK to see if it can convince you to stay.

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: Mide
what kind of work do you do if you don't mind me asking?

Finance related work for a MNC in a high tech industry

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: Born2bwire
I recently moved to Hong Kong. I enjoy it a lot, plenty to do here but the language is a bit of a barrier for me.

Really? I thought people there know English (at least better compared to SH)

I know how to speak Mandarin at a conversational level, would that help?

 

[Mide]

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: Mide
what kind of work do you do if you don't mind me asking?

Finance related work for a MNC in a high tech industry

Cool stuff. Yeah as others have pointed out the humidity during the summer is vicious in HK. It is more crowded than Shanghai though. I was in Beijing for a year and Shanghai was a much better place in comparison.

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: Born2bwire
I recently moved to Hong Kong. I enjoy it a lot, plenty to do here but the language is a bit of a barrier for me.

Really? I thought people there know English (at least better compared to SH)

I know how to speak Mandarin at a conversational level, would that help?

no, HK-er can't speak Mando for shit. English probably is a better way to communicate.

 

[miketheidiot]

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: miketheidiot
SSSnail was there iirc

I've been there a couple of times for vacation, but just want to know how it is to actually work and life there

SSSnail lived there for a couple months iirc

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: andylawcc
I grew up and live in HK for most part of my life. PM me for the specifics, but I do love HK after living in Los Angeles for nearly 10 years. What I do not love about HK is the weather, but since you lived in Shanghai, I guess pollution, humidity, and heat aren't much of a deterrent to you.

I haven't been to Shanghai, so I won't knock it or compare objectively; but do give Hong Kong a chance. Just spend 3-4 days in HK to see if it can convince you to stay.

Hmm I would think HK weather would be much better than SH, because HK doesnt have this WET cold that SH has..

But HK has typhoons lol.. so that would be fun

Regarding pollution and humidity i don't think that will be a big issue, since I am originally from south east asia

I've been in an out of HK quite regularly. I like visiting there cos of the amazing food and shopping. But not sure about living there.. hmmmmm

 

[UncleWai]

Can your boss hire me? I am looking for job currently here in Hong Kong.

Will the company give you housing and transportation allowance? If so then it's a no brainer, you should come down here.

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: z0mb13
I like visiting there cos of the amazing food and shopping. But not sure about living there.. hmmmmm

well, now the question is WHERE would you be living in?

in Central? too expensive, but probably the BEST BEST way to live the high-life of an expat in HK.

Causeway Bay or Wanchai would be a close second.

then there is the Kowloon side, which is a whole different beast.

personally I lived in Happy Valley (the horse racing course) all my young life, so I really don't know how is it to live elsewhere. But as long as you are close to the MTR, it's really all good.

 

[Born2bwire]

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: Born2bwire
I recently moved to Hong Kong. I enjoy it a lot, plenty to do here but the language is a bit of a barrier for me.

Really? I thought people there know English (at least better compared to SH)

I know how to speak Mandarin at a conversational level, would that help?

When it comes to English it seems to vary. My landlord is able to speak almost fluent English but the realtor that my friend used to find my place didn't speak it at all. So it is always a bit of a gamble as to whether or not I can communicate. But the worst is not being able to read Chinese since that restricts my dining choices when unaccompanied. I am living in Shek Tong Tsui in Western District. I agree with andy, Central is pretty gwailo friendly, especially Lang Kwai Fong. But in general I think the Island is pretty good place for foreigners. The business district attracts more foreigners so it seems English is more common over here and I think the air is a bit cleaner on the Island as opposed to Kowloon. Any place in the north part of the Island is still just a subway ride away from Central and such. I haven't wandered up to the New Territories though.

EDIT: As for Mandarin, I can't speak to it personally, but I have been told that the proficiency in Mandarin has increased in the past few years since the handing over to the PRC. My colleagues at the University all speak Mandarin, no Cantonese, and they seem to be able to get along.

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: andylawcc

Originally posted by: z0mb13
I like visiting there cos of the amazing food and shopping. But not sure about living there.. hmmmmm

well, now the question is WHERE would you be living in?

in Central? too expensive, but probably the BEST BEST way to live the high-life of an expat in HK.

Causeway Bay or Wanchai would be a close second.

then there is the Kowloon side, which is a whole different beast.

personally I lived in Happy Valley (the horse racing course) all my young life, so I really don't know how is it to live elsewhere. But as long as you are close to the MTR, it's really all good.

well since the office will be in new territory area (ShaTin). I believe I will probably live there as well (to save money too). Is that cool?

 

[Born2bwire]

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: andylawcc

Originally posted by: z0mb13
I like visiting there cos of the amazing food and shopping. But not sure about living there.. hmmmmm

well, now the question is WHERE would you be living in?

in Central? too expensive, but probably the BEST BEST way to live the high-life of an expat in HK.

Causeway Bay or Wanchai would be a close second.

then there is the Kowloon side, which is a whole different beast.

personally I lived in Happy Valley (the horse racing course) all my young life, so I really don't know how is it to live elsewhere. But as long as you are close to the MTR, it's really all good.

well since the office will be in new territory area (ShaTin). I believe I will probably live there as well (to save money too). Is that cool?

Huh... I'm going out there to see a concert on Saturday. I was told it was about an hour to get there using the MTR from the Island.

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: Born2bwire

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: andylawcc

Originally posted by: z0mb13
I like visiting there cos of the amazing food and shopping. But not sure about living there.. hmmmmm

well, now the question is WHERE would you be living in?

in Central? too expensive, but probably the BEST BEST way to live the high-life of an expat in HK.

Causeway Bay or Wanchai would be a close second.

then there is the Kowloon side, which is a whole different beast.

personally I lived in Happy Valley (the horse racing course) all my young life, so I really don't know how is it to live elsewhere. But as long as you are close to the MTR, it's really all good.

well since the office will be in new territory area (ShaTin). I believe I will probably live there as well (to save money too). Is that cool?

Huh... I'm going out there to see a concert on Saturday. I was told it was about an hour to get there using the MTR from the Island.

no way its 1 hour from HK island to shatin. Probably 30 min tops via subway

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: z0mb13
no way its 1 hour from HK island to shatin. Probably 30 min tops via subway

yes, it is 30 minutes via subway, but you also have to factor in the time of 1) walk/travel from where you start to the starting MTR station, and 2) walk/travel from the exiting station to your final destination. most often, those "non-MTR" traveling time takes up most than the MTR traveling time itself.

I used to take MTR from Causeway Bay to Kowloon Tong for school, that alone took exactly 20 minutes, but I have to take a mini-van (the Green Van) from my house to the MTR Station (5-10 minutes) and walk from Kowloon Tong to schoool (another 5-10 minutes). So the final time range from 30-50 minutes.

So it is not uncommon to take 1 hours from Shatin to HK Island depending on where your final destination is. (just for an example: walking from one end to another end of the Central station to get to Lan Kwai Fong takes at least 7 minutes already).

 

[z0mb13]

crap i just looked at some apartment prices and pics on HK craigslist, and they are somewhat disheartening
I know I cant expect much, since space in HK is a premium.
But 10K HKD per month for a dinky 400 ish square foot apt? ouch!

 

[Born2bwire]

Originally posted by: z0mb13
crap i just looked at some apartment prices and pics on HK craigslist, and they are somewhat disheartening
I know I cant expect much, since space in HK is a premium.
But 10K HKD per month for a dinky 400 ish square foot apt? ouch!

Heh, I pay $4K HKD for a dinky 200 sqft (I don't think it's that big but that's what I was quoted) studio apartment but even Hong Kongers are telling me I'm getting hosed.