On this submit, we’re itemizing the Professionals and Cons of residing in Hong Kong as an expat.
For a lot of, Hong Kong is a implausible place to dwell as an expat. Nonetheless, like most locations, nothing is ideal, and there are issues you must take into account earlier than transferring to Hong Kong.
If in case you have been studying our weblog for some time or if you’re following us on social media, chances are you’ll already know that we lived in Hong Kong for a few years.
Certainly, that is the place we met, earlier than transferring to Singapore and getting married there.
Hong Kong has additionally modified loads over the previous few years. So if you’re contemplating transferring to Hong Kong, or simply bought a job provide however you’re nonetheless uncertain whether or not or not you must go, then this submit is for you.
Did You Know?
East meets West: The area is understood for its fusion of Japanese and Western cultures, evident in its meals, festivals, and every day life.
– Geography: Hong Kong includes Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories, and over 200 outlying islands!
– Inhabitants and Language: Hong Kong has a inhabitants of over 7 million individuals. Chinese language (Cantonese) and English are the official languages.
– Political Developments: In recent times, Hong Kong has skilled important political adjustments and challenges, together with protests and debates over its diploma of autonomy and the implementation of the Nationwide Safety Legislation in 2020, which has impacted its political panorama and worldwide relations.
Professionals of Residing in Hong Kong
1. Professional: Security
Hong Kong is commonly ranked as one of many most secure locations on the planet. We will’t recall after we ever felt at risk in Hong Kong.
Be at liberty to depart your telephone and pockets on a desk at a restaurant and nobody will even take a look at it. In case you lose one thing within the taxi, chances are high that you’ll simply discover it again and the taxi driver will preserve the whole lot for you. So if security is considered one of your considerations, Hong Kong positively ticks that field 100%!
2. Professional: Hong Kong is a vibrant place
You may not know that, however Hong Kong has the most effective nightlife in Asia. It could not have the identical status as Tokyo or the craziness of Bangkok, however you’ll have a lot of enjoyable throughout your time!
Lan Kwai Fong is the center of the town’s nightlife and comes alive just about each night time. After work, the neighborhood transforms into a big open-air bar, with doorways open and loud music from every bar. If you need one thing totally different, head to the most effective rooftops bar on the planet, akin to OZONE the best bar on the planet.
Full listing of greatest rooftops in Hong Kong right here.
3. Professional: Nature is all over the place
Whenever you consider Hong Kong, you may not instantly consider untouched forests or lengthy hikes.
Nonetheless, at every flip, the unspoiled inexperienced areas of the town are seen. Hong Kong is 70% nature, 30% metropolis! Stunned proper?
That is very true on Hong Kong Island, the place Victoria Peak (nicknamed The Peak by locals) is house to one of many metropolis’s hottest boardwalks (with gorgeous views of Victoria Harbor and the town under).
Additionally Uncover the Dragon’s Again, Lantau Island, Yin Tsz Ngam and Lamma Island. These are all accessible by bus, ferry, non-public boat or the MTR.
For extra issues to do in Hong Kong, take a look at this submit.
4. Professional: Excellent mixture of modernity and traditions
We’ve already talked about that Hong Kong is the proper mixture of Modernity and Traditions which makes it an distinctive place to dwell for expats.
You could possibly simply spend a couple of days visiting the temples of Hong Kong nestled within the mountains or surrounded by trendy skyscrapers amongst peaceable parks.
Man Mo Temple is the proper instance of this distinction. Thought-about the oldest temple within the metropolis, Man Mo is likely one of the gems of Sheung Wan. Tin Hau Temple and Po Lin Monastery are additionally distinctive and a must-see in Hong Kong to really feel the custom of this place.
5. Professional: No ban on widespread web sites in opposite to mainland China
This is likely one of the primary considerations when first-time vacationers resolve to go to Hong Kong: Can I take advantage of social media as regular? The reply is sure (at the very least for now).
Though Hong Kong is run by China, it enjoys a particular standing and among the extra oppressive measures on the mainland don’t apply in Hong Kong. All the pieces can be utilized usually, from Google to Fb to WhatsApp and different messaging companies accessible world wide.
6. Professional: So many issues to do and go to in Hong Kong
Though Hong Kong is small in dimension, there are such a lot of nice issues to do within the territory. For example, we love watersports and Hong Kong has so many actions to supply. We used to surf, and wakeboard, we discovered learn how to sail, we went kayaking and even snorkeling. The probabilities are infinite!
In case you get pleasure from nature, then you can be thrilled to know that there are such a lot of hikes in Hong Kong. You may as well go climbing, biking, tenting, canyoning and a lot extra. The listing is infinite.
Learn: Greatest Locations to Surf in Asia
7. Professional: Hong Kong is a handy place to dwell with nice transportation system
Principally, individuals in Hong Kong don’t want a automotive. They only need to have a automotive for extra comfort, however public transport will get you just about wherever very quickly!
The underground subway, known as MTR, an ever-expanding community of fresh and environment friendly prepare strains, runs by means of a lot of the town. Taxis are additionally all over the place and really low-cost. Throughout peak hours, MTR trains run each three minutes and the stations are protected, spacious, air-conditioned, and full of outlets.
In your comfort, be certain that to get an Octopus card. Deposit some cash and even hyperlink it to your checking account and you’ll pay just about something with it. The Octopus card is a must have in Hong Kong.
8. Professional: Hong Kong is a various place with giant expat communities
Hong Kong is a various place with so many various nationalities mixing collectively. Europeans, Australians, People, Indians, Nepalese, Indonesians, Filipinos, and Pakistanis all dwell right here in sizable numbers.
Because of this in most components of the town, you gained’t be the one stranger, which can go a great distance in serving to many vacationers really feel at house. Anticipate worldwide meals and drinks in the preferred areas, particularly in downtown and Soho.
9. Professional: World-Class Training
Hong Kong affords world-class training, marked by its excessive requirements of instructing, a wide selection of topics, and a concentrate on each educational and private improvement. This excellence in training could be attributed to a number of key components:
- Worldwide Recognition: Hong Kong’s universities persistently rank among the many high on the planet. Establishments just like the College of Hong Kong (HKU), The Chinese language College of Hong Kong (CUHK), and the Hong Kong College of Science and Expertise (HKUST) are famend for his or her analysis output, educational excellence, and international outlook.
- Bilingual Training System: The training system in Hong Kong emphasizes bilingual proficiency in English and Chinese language (Cantonese and Mandarin), offering college students with a aggressive edge in a globalized world. English, being an official language, is extensively utilized in increased training and enterprise, making Hong Kong a beautiful vacation spot for worldwide college students and professionals.
10. Professional: Journey Hub
Hong Kong serves as a significant journey hub in Asia, providing an intensive community of flights to locations worldwide, because of its strategic geographical location and world-class amenities.
Located on the southeastern coast of China, Hong Kong is on the crossroads of the Asia-Pacific area. This makes it a handy gateway for vacationers.
The Hong Kong Worldwide Airport (HKIA) is likely one of the busiest and best airports globally, offering flights to over 180 locations worldwide.
Cons of Residing in Hong Kong
1. Con: Extraordinarily dense
Hong Kong known as the vertical metropolis, resulting from its many skyscrapers. With greater than 30,000 inhabitants per sq. kilometer, some districts of Kowloon, together with Mong Kok, are among the many most densely populated on the planet. To make it even worse, flats in Hong Kong are among the many smallest on the planet – round 470 sq. toes on common.
We at all times joked that in 1 constructing there are extra individuals residing than within the village the place Guillaume is coming from in France. And it’s really true! In case you are used to huge open areas, then you definitely may really feel cramped for the primary few weeks in Hong Kong… It takes time to regulate to huge crowds in a tiny place.
In case you are questioning about the most effective locations to dwell in Hong Kong, take a look at this submit.
2. Con: Hong Kong is commonly ranked the costliest metropolis on the planet
Hong Kong is the place the place parking place sells at USD 1.3 million. You don’t consider us? Nicely, take a look at this latest article right here. In June 2021, somebody purchased a parking place for a whooping USD 1.3million on the Peak, one of the costly neighborhoods in Hong Kong. Loopy, proper?
One other loopy truth is that in Hong Kong golf carts price greater than a Porsche or Tesla. That is the case in Discovery Bay, the place vehicles will not be allowed and licenses for driving a golf cart are restricted to sure numbers. Some golf carts bought for half one million {dollars}! Yup, that’s true. It’s onerous to consider, therefore take a look at this text revealed by Bloomberg.
It’s maybe not stunning that Hong Kong is so costly. In any case, this can be a metropolis the place yow will discover two Gucci shops on the identical avenue. It’s the place luxurious malls are connected to luxurious resorts, and virtually each avenue appears to be stuffed with luxurious vehicles.
So our recommendation when residing in Hong Kong is to rigorously handle your price range. Eating out, or having a drink on a rooftop (greatest rooftops right here) can price you some huge cash.
3. Con: The local weather is sizzling and humid!
When individuals in Hong Kong speak about summer season, they imply the season from late April to late October. The local weather right here is formally often known as the humid subtropical local weather. In a nutshell, it’s sizzling and humid… Humidity is what will get you, even at night time! So having an air-conditioner at your home is a should.
To make issues worse, Hong Kong can also be liable to typhoons… Anticipate a couple of typhoons each summer season which typically fully shut down the town. There are additionally days with “black rain” warnings. That is tremendous heavy rain, so going exterior is almost not possible.
When transferring to Hong Kong, be certain that to obtain the most effective climate apps on the planet particularly made for Hong Kong known as: Hong Kong Observatory (hyperlink to app retailer right here).
4. Con: Be able to work onerous (play onerous)
Overlook concerning the regular 9-5 when working in Hong Kong. The idea of time beyond regulation doesn’t actually exist and persons are able to work by means of the night time if vital! In Hong Kong each of us labored tirelessly. Though it was loads, everyone seems to be so dedicated to their work which can also be motivating in a approach!
On high of that, working onerous doesn’t imply individuals don’t get pleasure from their non-public life. The idea of Work Arduous – Play Arduous is lived by many in Hong Kong. Afterwork drinks and dinner with buddies throughout the week, mountaineering or different sports activities throughout the weekend, you’ll by no means get bored!
5. Con: Air Air pollution
Sadly, the air high quality in Hong Kong is just not too good. In fact, there are a lot of blue sky days with lovely sunshine however anticipate many hazy days too… Nonetheless, Hong Kong is just not the one metropolis in Asia going through this type of situation.
Air high quality in lots of Asian cities is just not nice. We suggest downloading the app IQAir or going to their web site right here. You possibly can then see the air high quality and the forecast for the subsequent few days.
6. Con: Political Stress
Latest years have certainly witnessed escalating political tensions and unrest in Hong Kong, considerably impacting the town’s social cloth, its worldwide status, and the every day lives of its residents.
These tensions have roots in considerations over the erosion of the “one nation, two programs” precept that was promised below the Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984, which assured Hong Kong a excessive diploma of autonomy, rights, and freedoms for 50 years after its handover from Britain to China in 1997.
Conclusion concerning the Professionals and Cons of residing in Hong Kong
Like in any nation on the planet, there are issues we like and issues we don’t like. Nonetheless, having lived in so many various nations now, we discovered that we at all times adapt and modify ourselves to the locations we dwell. Finally the great issues will prevail. And the issues we didn’t like made up for some good and enjoyable tales again house.
Residing in a brand new nation is at all times a implausible expertise. We at all times benefit from the first few months, when the whole lot is new, day-after-day we find out about one thing else and we are able to’t wait to speak about our new life with our family and friends again house.
In case you ever have the prospect to maneuver to Hong Kong, don’t hesitate. It’s a great spot to dwell, with loads of issues to do and see. It’s the event to find a singular tradition, with implausible traditions, a lot of issues to do, and a vibrant place in Asia.
We hope that you just discovered this submit helpful concerning the execs and cons of residing in Hong Kong. We wrote many posts about Hong Kong. You possibly can test all of them out by clicking right here.
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