moving to hong kong-few questions...

i will be moving to hong kong at the end of june and have a few questions. 1)i want to get involved in some kind of charity work there 2)need a good maid-but have heard some scary stories 3)what kind of clothing/furniture stores are there? 4)can anyone recommend a good hair salon that is good with coloring? i get my hair dyed blonde so that's important too! 5)what are good gyms or personal trainers in the area, as well? thank you!

All of the above will be easily sorted once you are here. Finding a good maid isn't always easy, but you may find one that comes highly recommended. There are some great hairdressers here - Toni & Guy for one, not always cheap but always good. There are lot's of clothes and furniture stores so don't worry. Lot's of gyms and personal trainers throughout HK - You'll be fine it just may take some time to find your feet - but you will!!!

Can anyone recommend good serviced apartments on Hong Kong island?

1)Room to Read, YMCA in Cheung Sha Wan, Adventist Hospital, Matilda Hospital, Habitat for Humanity, Nature Conservancy, Christian Action (not religious based community based), Caritas


2)Finding a helper full time or part time - either way is all about your screening process, ask for references if possible and CHECK THEM to minimize RISK


3)There are loads of clothing stores and having custom made clothes is affordable too!


4)Arrrggghhh I am a blonde (dyed) and have been through some horrors - I suggest that you go to your stylist/clourist and ask for them to write down exactly what they do to your hair and what colors they use and brand.


5)Season Fitness, Pure Fitness, Fitness First, Physical and California Fitness are the common gyms.


Service apartments: This depends on your price range, living style and where you need to be located. Below are a few links:


Excellent Court, Kowloon

www.excellent-court.com.hk


Pinnacle, Kowloon

www.pinnacleapartment.com


New World Centre, Kowloon

www.nwc.com.hk

Hey Nessa3111:


I just moved to HK from NY 2 months ago and loving it here... so good luck! Where are you moving in from?


Just a couple of thoughts. A lot depends on where you end up living and where work is situated. e.g you want everything to be conveniently located.


Charity - many of these around. Any particular type that you are looking for i.e children, women, education, health, environment?

Helper - the blessing of Asia :) are available...like greenm&m said, screen and ask for references. Preferable get people who have been referred (from office folk or frnds)

Clothes - its not like the US (if thats where you are coming from) but is NOT a problem in HK. And there is the added advantage of custom tailoring which can be quite a lot of fun!

A whole host of health clubs (some chains) avlbl... Pure, Fitness First, California, Physical... IF you are looking for pilates and yoga.. those are available as well..

Service appts - Depends on budget and expectations. The typical tradeoff between price and size is highlighted in HK! Asiaxpat has very good links. You can PM me and i can take you through a few that i have stayed in.

thanks everybody for your responses!! i am moving to hong kong from the U.S. anyone else? how do you PM on here?

PM....log in, click on Control Panel next to your name and self explanatory from there. Dont forget to check your in box too! All the best.