Posted by
samh4
18 yrs ago
hi. my husband got a job offer in hong kong. trying to work out details. he will be a vp with salary of hk 140+/per month. housing is 90K/pm. trying to find out more about school debentures. she would be wait listed at HKIS and at HKacademy for her current grade. also heard that clubs are expensive and club memberships are common "perk". are they? we have the trip home. what about car allowances--common or not.
what else should we ask for. we are already addressing the tax equalization bit. but thought i heard something about the tax on the apartment / housing.
any help would be appreciated
Please support our advertisers:
Ed
18 yrs ago
You might find this useful for your move: http://www.asiaxpat.com/movingquote/
Please support our advertisers:
"also heard that clubs are expensive and club memberships are common "perk". are they?"
This often depends on the kind of job. If your husband has a high rank customer facing job then perhaps he could get it as a perk. There tend to be waitlists though.
"tax on the apartment / housing. "
AFAIK there isn't any.
"trying to find out more about school debentures."
Many firms pay for schooling for kids over 4.
"what about car allowances--common or not."
AFAIK this is uncommon unless he is very high rank (no offense but reading from his salary/housing he is not). Public transport is very convenient in HK. Also 2nd hand cars are pretty cheap.
Please support our advertisers:
samh4
18 yrs ago
axptguy38. thanks for the info. they will pay for the school, but how do the debuntures work--does that get a child into the school or just moved infront of someone who doesn't have one?
also no offense on the housing salary comment,- we thought housing a bit low, but for a vp in accounting/finance what is decent if HK$ 140,000 per month isn't considering one would be running the whole show.
also, not sure if you have kids, but what do you think of the whole pollution / child asthma situation.
thanks
Please support our advertisers:
axptguy has kids and I am sure he will come back to you with your question. the housing allowance is ok, not huge, but you should be able to get a nice flat or a house if you decide to "move" out - i.e. not on the island.
I would ask for the club "perk" - indeed, they cost a fortune. And it is nice to have it esp when it gets sooo hot that there is nowhere to take your kids but clubs and indoor playrooms.
The way I understand debenture works (ours are a bit too young still for school so it is just my undestanding) - debenture gets you in, no waiting.
As for clubs - even if you get the allowance, you often end up waiting for ages as there is only limited number of memberships your firm will have - so you have to wait until someone leaves. And then there is a waiting list... how long depends on a club - we have now been waiting for over a year... so get yourselves on the list asap.
Please support our advertisers:
oh yes - and pollution is seriously bad.. I love HK but this will limit our stay here - I dont want our kids to grow up in this level of pollution... so for us, 3 yrs max I think.. but others will disagree of course. you can do search on this forum re pollution discussions - there are a lot.
Also depends where you are from and how bad you have it there...
Please support our advertisers:
"also no offense on the housing salary comment,- we thought housing a bit low, but for a vp in accounting/finance what is decent if HK$ 140,000 per month isn't considering one would be running the whole show."
Again, we are discussing touchy matters and I don't want to offend. The below is my opinion only:
The salary level depends in large part on the bonus. As a base salary 140k/month isn't bad at all assuming the bonus is the same size or more. If he doesn't get a bonus 140k a month is low officer level at many banks here for a local contract. I was not saying he is not high ranking. I was saying he isn't "VERY high rank" for your typical investment bank.
"VP" is a tough term to compare. At some companies, this is close to the top and at some just a low rung on the ladder. You say he is running the whole show. How many employees and what industry?
90k is quite decent for housing, mind you. You can get some quite nice places for that price, especially if you don't have kids making life complicated. ;)
"axptguy has kids and I am he will come back to you with your question. the housing allowance is ok, not huge, but you should be able to get a nice flat or a house if you decide to "move" out - i.e. not on the island."
Definitely. You can probly get a town house or nice apartment in Tai Tam/Stanley, or a 3/4 bed in Repulse Bay or a decent building in MidLevels. Bel Air also has some apartments with a fantastic view for well under 90k (but you have to like the Bel Air concept).
"axptguy has kids and I am he will come back to you with your question"
axptguy does have kids but they are still a bit young for this discussion.
"oh yes - and pollution is seriously bad.. I love HK but this will limit our stay here - I dont want our kids to grow up in this level of pollution... so for us, 3 yrs max I think.. but others will disagree of course. you can do search on this forum re pollution discussions - there are a lot."
This was high on our list of issues too. But on the south side it really isn't that bad. I mean you have the occasional smog day here too but most days it's ok. Nothing compared to CWB or Central for example.
If you want you can contact me on PM. Also I should plug my totally unscientific and incomplete HK tips page: http://hongkongtips.rosboch.net
Please support our advertisers:
hmmm.. we are south side - Stanley/Tai Tam - guess it is a bit better in terms of pollution but still something to consider. As for the housing allowance - yes, a year ago you would get a nice flat (we did! :) for this money but I hear prices have jumped again :(. should be fine for 3-bed, even maybe 4-bed.
Please support our advertisers:
There are 3 bed apartments close to the beach in Repulse Bay for under 80k. No playground or pool though.
Please support our advertisers:
F100
18 yrs ago
you might want to ask if your employer will also pay for the electricity bill.
in a large apartment especially during the summer months, the electricity bill for a 2000 sq. ft. apartment can be over $4000 per month.
Please support our advertisers:
"you might want to ask if your employer will also pay for the electricity bill.
in a large apartment especially during the summer months, the electricity bill for a 2000 sq. ft. apartment can be over $4000 per month."
Indeed. We get a utilities allowance which helps. Also ceiling fans can save you a lot of money.
Please support our advertisers:
cd
18 yrs ago
No offence, but if you don't think you can manage on $140k a month and $90k housing, then maybe reconsider coming. To most people that is a huge package.
Yes things are expensive here, but you can still find bargains if you look around.An example of prices,
Our house is 3000sf, and our electricity bill in the summer averages $2,500 a month. Ceiling fans definately help.
our rent has just gone up to $57,500 for 4beds, 3 reception rooms, and shared pool.
Our food bill for 7 people is around $9-10k a month.(includes household products)
Gas is bottled, cost ranges from about $500 a month in winter to $500 every 7 weeks in summer.
phones are cheap, with many cheap deals abroad, and all local calls free.
Eating out, you can eat in many really nice restaurants for around $150 or so for a main meal, drinks are expensive though.
Petrol has just gone up again, its now over $15 a litre.
schooling is expensive, as are afterschool activites. This improves as they get older, once they get to secondary school there are lots of teams etc they can join that don't cost anything.
Pollution is bad, but doesn't seem to affect my kids. In fact my disabled son that used to have asthma in the UK is 100% better here, and hasn't had an inhaler for about 9 years. But we live towards Clearwater Bay so the air quality is a bit better.
A huge plus here is the safety aspects for kids, they can have a lot more freedom here without the worry you would have elsewhere.
Please support our advertisers:
all true, basically as anywhere in the world the rent level depeds on where you want to be (on the island, off the island, new territorries ect etc). the further out you are the more you get for your money.
On the plus side the alcohol tax has just been abolished so prices for wine in shops seem to be going down!! (just a small point but hope helps!) :)
Please support our advertisers:
"No offence, but if you don't think you can manage on $140k a month and $90k housing, then maybe reconsider coming. To most people that is a huge package."
I don't think anyone is saying that isn't a good package. But I think the thread starter wants to know what they can get for this budget. As you mention, what they can get is quite nice by HK standards. Of course, if you're used to a big house with a big garden you will feel cramped at first.
"Pollution is bad, but doesn't seem to affect my kids. In fact my disabled son that used to have asthma in the UK is 100% better here, and hasn't had an inhaler for about 9 years."
The high humidity can indeed have a positive effect.
"A huge plus here is the safety aspects for kids, they can have a lot more freedom here without the worry you would have elsewhere."
I second that. It feels way different from the US.
Please support our advertisers:
"sai kung country park...out in the boonies!"
Funny you didn't mention that the first time Cara. ;)
"thanks. sounds like it is worth being in the boonies if you get that much space. "
Depends what you want. My wife wouldn't want to commute from Sai Kung Country Park. As it is, she has 12 minutes in the morning and about 25 in the evening. More time at home with the girls. Also we live very close to the beach, close to daycare, close to downtown without being in downtown. We accept the relatively smaller space because of the other advantages.
BTW samh4 if you want to ask more stuff "offline" send me a pm and I'll get you my email address.
Please support our advertisers:
"i did.... i said a little further out than cd (who mentioned she lives in clearwater bay)...."
Just poking fun. I'm not knocking your choice. Goodness knows I'd like some more greenery around sometimes. Yes I get the irony with the big mountain just behind the house, but it's not like we have a meadow or forest or even a lawn where the kids can run around.
Please support our advertisers:
hmm
18 yrs ago
RE the schooling. Debentures will certainly help. At some schools though the debenture does not guarantee you a spot. Your child still may need to pass an entrance/admission test of some sort. Most of these are looking to ascertain if English is native speaker equivalent and if the child has a special need/learning difficulty that the school does not want to have to service.
Your company may deal with a property or education or relocation consultant who can answer questions related to certain schools. HKIS and HKA do have waitlists for certain years/grades which you have already mentioned, but difficult to ascertain space availability specific to your children... nothing is guaranteed obviously.
Schooling certainly seems to be one of the biggest concerns for families relocating and you are very smart to get this sorted early. If company will pay debentures and fees you are on the right track. You may also consider school bus fees...
Perhaps you could come out with kids ahead of time to investigate further...
Please support our advertisers:
You can get a nice house with garden, or low rise with garden in Discovery Bay for 90K, it is nice living here very quiet, lots of activities for children, lots of dogs and cats aboput if you like pets ferry takes half an hour to Central
Please support our advertisers:
Hi all,
This thread has been an excellent source of information. Especially since I am currently negotiating my salary for relocation to HK. Can I confirm a few things?
Debentures: Is this what debentures are for? I thought they were compulsory is this not the case? They are just to get your kid at the top of the waiting list? Is it also common for schools to refund these debentures? My only point of reference is the AISHK since I will be coming from Australia.
Rent: I was budgeting 30k/month for rent. There will be myself, my wife and 3 kids (4, 2 and newborn). We are not planning on having a maid until my youngest is older and my wife starts working. From the internet checks I have done, 30k seems like enough for a 3 bedroom place in the Kowloon area (near the AISHK). Is this number too low? I really don’t want to pay more than that if possible and I am not in a position to command 90k rent allowance. Should rent assistance be a deal breaker?
Kowloon is also not set in stone as the area. I am happy to not live in the “central’ distracts as they seem out of my price range for now and I am also happy to walk to the station – so long as it’s within a 10~20m walking distance. If I live in the “boonies” will I need a car for things like shopping?
Thanks.
Please support our advertisers:
Cara said: "sai kung country park...out in the boonies!"
Just had a quick look on google maps - that looks just like one big national park. Is their residential area in there? Or is it on the outskirts? And what is the residential area called? I couldn't find a "Sai Kung" on this site under the apartment search.
Please support our advertisers:
MisterD - 30k adequate to get you 3 -4 bed anywhere on the Island??? Like where? you have to be joking right? Solomani - you should be ok for new territorries and possibly Kowloon (not sure - never looked there).
Sai Kung is indeed a residential area (apart from the park) - it is absolutely lovely there - but is quite a hike to Central - like cara says 1.5 hours a norm. Yes, you will need a car there - no station that I know of?
Please support our advertisers:
"Should rent assistance be a deal breaker? "
I can only speak for my family but yes. However others will disagree. It depend on you. I find that 30k is way too little, but we want to live on the Island to cut the commute. Other people have different priorities and tolerance levels.
"Don't worry, 30K will be perfectly adequate to get you 3 or 4 bedrooms pretty much anywhere on Hong Kong Island, Kowloon or New Territories; it's only in a few particularly expensive areas (Southside, the Peak, Mid Levels for example) that you would have any difficulty getting a 3/4 bed for that budget."
I agree that Idsllvn that 30k will not get you 3-4 beds on the Island.
"We are not planning on having a maid until my youngest is older and my wife starts working."
I must say that a good helper is incredible value for money. And compared to other countries it's cheap. Even if one of you is home I urge you to consider getting a helper. Instead of your wife having to clean, buy groceries and cook she can spend more time with the kids.
Please support our advertisers:
Thanks everyone for the replies. Travel time isn't a huge issue for me - It currently takes me 60m to 70m to get to work, 25m of that is walking. Sai Kung has grabbed my interest.
Cara, Is it possible to live within walking distance of one of those stations? Or are they not in Sai Kung proper? Also are you saying the actual train ride from Sai Kung to central is only 25m? Where is the other 60m in travel time coming from?
Didnt realise schools offered bus service. Thanks for the tip.
Axptguy, we will look at the helper scene. Getting someone to help with groceries and cleaning would be a huge plus. Anywhere I can do research on the cost of such help? I assume there are employment agencies and the like. Just curious as to the cost.
By the way I thought your tips page was great.
Please support our advertisers:
hi everyone
just signed up for this post.. :) (*appalause! welcome!*) have to move by end of year. our son will probably go to HKIS - would REALLY appreciate feedback from parents living in the Saikung area whose children attend HKIS - good school bus service? what are the traveling times in the mornings and after school? are the kids ok with the commute? good number of kids going to that school?
Please support our advertisers:
MisterD, what areas are you talking about? Could you give specific examples?
There are reasons for living in the "expat ghettos" besides the "expat" label.
"Axptguy, we will look at the helper scene. Getting someone to help with groceries and cleaning would be a huge plus. Anywhere I can do research on the cost of such help? I assume there are employment agencies and the like. Just curious as to the cost."
A good place to do research is this site. Note though that the "Domestic Help" forum can give you a skewed view since lots of people there are asking advice about helpers who steal or misbehave. I can assure you that the vast majority of helpers work hard (if you're a good boss) and are honest. Otherwise no one would hire them.
Cleaning, groceries, errands, laundry, ironing, walking the dog, cooking, letting contractors in, taking care of the kids, organizing playdates. I have even heard of helpers organizing dinner parties. You name it, they do it. Our helper keeps this place running like a well oiled machine. She is an amazing woman. We have to tell her to stop working at 1930 or she just keeps on going. Also I do groceries and errands so she can focus on the kids more. And we only let her clean the whole house on Saturdays. Otherwise I bet she'd vacuum daily.
I'll send you a PM with a good agency name and number. Salaries are about HKD 3500-5000/month for a live in. That's for 6 days a week of 11-13 hour days. You can additionally give 500-1000 "food allowance". Also of course you can give other perks (like a laptop that connects to your wireless). Every 2 years, you need to pay a trip home for their 2 week vacation. Helper insurance is a good idea and is typically under 1000 a year.
You can pm me with any specific questions if you like.
Please support our advertisers:
hmm
18 yrs ago
Everyone has a different and welcome opinion of course, but for me to live in Tai Po, even Sai Kung or Clearwater bay and then bus the children to HKIS seems like a tremendous amount of commute time for them in the morning... I know of many children who do such a commute to various Int'l schools on the Island and I end up feeling like they would be so much better off with out it... Perhaps living in Pokfulam, Tai Koo, Kennedy Town, etc. is an option? 90k won't put you in house it would have 5 years ago, but you can certainly find something of adequate size for your family... if not in Stanley or on the Peak...
Please support our advertisers:
"but you can certainly find something of adequate size for your family... if not in Stanley or on the Peak..."
Even in Stanley, which is not as bad as Repulse Bay. For 90 k you can get a 3 bedroom townhouse in Stanley in a nice complex.
Please support our advertisers:
FKKC
18 yrs ago
Happy Valley is a good option.
Please support our advertisers:
Thanks Cara and AXP. I guess in the end I will see what the agent digs up in central etc and compare that to what we can get out in Sai Kung and decide if the commute is worth it.
Cara said: "k... there's no train in sai kung. you have to take a minibus to get to the train stations, or drive. i do both..."
I assume there is a lot of parking at the station or a pay station of some kind? I also thought cars were very expensive in HK? In terms of a bus service for the kids thats something the school could tell me about I am guessing.
Thanks for the PM AXP, reading it now.
Please support our advertisers:
"Happy Valley is a good option."
Depends. It is very close to "downtown". However it has lots of pollution and is definitely "urban jungle". As usual it depends what you are looking for.
"I also thought cars were very expensive in HK?"
Second hand cars are actually pretty cheap.
Please support our advertisers:
cd
18 yrs ago
To AXP, I think you'll find rents have shot up, 3 bed houses that were renting for $90k in stanley are now going for $140.
Also to Solomani, rents in Kowloon Tong are also going through the roof, some places there the rents are being put up 100%'
To Itgirl, for HKIS Clearwater Bay would be better than Sai Kung for the drive to HKIS, 25 mins to the senior school, 40 to the junior. But hardley any kids from that school live out this way. In my opinion, most Americans live on the Island, especially around Stanley and Repulse Bay, whereas mainly Europeans/Australians and Kiwis live out on the Sai Kung Peninsular.
Please support our advertisers:
CD any idea if the HKAIS has a buss service out to Sai Kung?
Please support our advertisers:
"To AXP, I think you'll find rents have shot up, 3 bed houses that were renting for $90k in stanley are now going for $140. "
I would agree that they have shot up, but sticker price is not necessarily equal to actual price. While landlords don't want to lower sticker prices, they don't want empty apartments/houses either (and there are a few). They will often throw in a couple of free months to get the deal. In other words, don't believe what you see in the ad. There is wiggle room.
Just some real life examples from last month: There are 2600 sq.ft. 3 bed apartments in Repulse Bay, 3 minutes walk from the beach and with an unobstructed ocean view, for 75k. On the other hand a 2250 sq. ft. 3 bed townhouse right next door, with less view, is listed at over 100k. Granted, the latter has better facilities, but still.
Please support our advertisers:
cd
18 yrs ago
I'm not going by what I see in the ads, I'm going by whats happening to friends at the moment on lease renewals.
Please support our advertisers:
"The pollution is just shocking. I would advise anyone with children to think twice about moving here because of the pollution. Who knows what the long term effects will have on any of us. When someone tells you that the pollution is not so bad South Side or in Clearwater Bay, it's just not true. Having lived in DB, Midlevels and now Repulse Bay it is just as bad every where - there is no respite from it. Very sad state of affairs and very little being done to stop it. The humidity does help asthmas suffers but the pollution ........."
I would agree the pollution is bad, but in my opinion you can't compare Repulse Bay with Midlevels. The level of pollution on the northern side of the island is way higher than on South Side. While mainland pollution goes everywhere, on the northern side of the island you get a lot of vehicular pollution added to it. The level of traffic on South Side is only a fraction of the north side so pollution is much less.
I would recommend getting air purifiers wherever you live in HK.
Please support our advertisers:
< Back to main category
You must be logged in to be able to reply.
Login now
Copy Link
Facebook
Gmail
Mail