Posted by
zmo
18 yrs ago
I plan on moving to a small flat in HK and can have up to 500lbs of my things shipped. Based on peoples experiences I'd be curious to hear what home essentials you would ship, up to 500lbs, as a single guy in addition to clothes and a toothbrush. Plasma? Bed? Cookware?
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500 lb really isn't a whole lot. Then again, you won't have a problem with a small HK flat. Let's start looking at what you shouldn't ship.
If you are moving from a 110-120v country like the US, you can basically scratch all electrical/electronic items that use more than, say 50 watts. It isn't practical to get those to work here. If you come from a 220-240v country you could ship the electrics/electronics and save some money arriving.
Furniture is a rather inefficient thing to ship weight wise, and is also relatively cheap in HK, whether you buy custom, antiques or whatever. Unless you have, say, a favorite chair or something.
Books are heavy. I tend to sell or give away most books after I read them, and only have a "next in line to be read" shelf. This saves a lot of weight and space.
For a lot of the clothes, you can bring them with you when you fly in.
So what should you pack in the 500lb? In order of priority, or close to it:
- Mementos and other items of sentimental value.
- A few books if you read.
- Laptop/desktop computer. If the power supply is 110-120v you can easily get a 220-240v unit for it here.
- Important papers (contracts, etc...)
- Clothing that you need that didn't make it into the suitcase.
- Sheets.
- Pillows.
- Specialized hobby equipment (trekking gear, fishing rod, kayak paddle, bow, woodcarving tools or suchlike).
- Silverware.
- Glassware.
- Flatware.
- ...
If you don't have a scale, the first order of business would be to go out and buy one.
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zmo
18 yrs ago
Thanks for hitting the important points. I only plan on being there a couple of years so it’s a shame I can’t take more. The only “big” item I was thinking to take was my plasma simply b/c it’s relatively new and didn’t want to buy another one already. I’ve seen some 500watt converters here in the US that can handle the power required but wasn’t sure what electrical connection my new flat would have (UK style or other) so I was going to find one in HK. If I’m totally wrong on this please chime in. Also given the size most flats are queen sized beds prevalent in HK (excuse my ignorance here)? That’s the only sized linens I have.
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"I’ve seen some 500watt converters here in the US that can handle the power required but wasn’t sure what electrical connection my new flat would have (UK style or other) so I was going to find one in HK."
The issue with electronics is that they may require a slightly "cleaner" electrical transmissions than what a big transformer can handle. I've had some things work and some things not. I don't know how you would be able to tell beforehand.
Your new flat will have UK style plugs. But this you can easily change the plug when you get here.
Two more points:
- Can your TV decode PAL signals (rest of the world) as well as NTSC (North America)? If it can't take PAL there's really no point since you won't be able to watch TV. Check the specs online.
- Many electronic appliances can take both 110-120 and 220-240. Check the little info plaque or stamp next to the electrical input. If it says something like 100-240 you are home free with the power. All you need to do is buy a cable with a UK type socket for 30 Honkies when you arrive.
What is the exact model number of your TV (see the same plaque)?
Finally, many expats do leave all the time so you will often find quite late model, hardly used TVs on the Asiaxpat boards.
"Also given the size most flats are queen sized beds prevalent in HK"
The actual definition of "queen" is region specific. AFAIK what you'll mostly find here are UK and European cm sizes so. A US queen is 152x203cm. The closest would be a European queen which is 160x200.
You'll find that many flat can fit a US king size. We have a 180x210 (more or less a UK "king" but longer and a bit narrower) and it fits fine in our place and all the other ones we looked at. An option is to bring your mattress (if you want to lug the weight) and have a custom bed made in 10-15 days. This would cost 8-10k Honkies.
BTW if you're really into bed sizes you can geek out here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bed_(furniture)#Bed_sizes
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Ed
18 yrs ago
http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/classifieds/
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zmo
18 yrs ago
Wow, now I know there's a wiki article on everything. TV is a Panasonic TH50PX60U. Didn't find any info on PAL abilities in the manual so I might have to just call them up.
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I checked the manual ( http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/TH37PX60U-ENGLISH.PDF ). I can't find anything about PAL either. Also it cannot take 220-240v. So you'd need a 800w class transformer. Besides the large size and cost of such a unit, you can't be sure that the transformer gives exactly the right power.
My recommendation is to leave it at home or sell it. Sorry... I can't be 100% certain but I think chances are good are it will just be a very expensive paperweight in HK.
You can get a name brand 50-52 inch LCD with full HD (which yours doesn't have BTW) in HK for about 60k Honkies. 42 inch for under 20k. Many models can also be used in North America so at least you wouldn't have to face the same dilemma again.
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My suggestions (based entirely on what I should have brought):
(a) A laptop/desktop definitely - the ones sold in HK have Chinese instructions, etc, which is good if you are familiar with the language. Otherwise, not advisable.
(b) A good expresso machine - coffee-making equipment are unbelievably expensive - even a simple percolator is very costly compared to the West. And lots of coffee beans too. Of course, if you only drink Chinese tea, you'll be fine.
(c) Duck boots (the ones LL Bean makes) - HK rains so much and I'm surprised these have not caught on yet.
(d) If you can request refrigerated delivery, bring very good cheese and pastrami, corned beef, proscuitto etc. They are difficult to obtain, and cost an arm.
If you're moving into a furnished apartment, then the TV will be provided (it may even be a larger plasma). I won't bother bringing anything that is made in China, which means 99% of consumables. Ditto for linens.
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I would bring:
Shoes - It's hard to find comfortable formal and sports shoes here. Formal shoes are overpriced. Athletic store staff have no knowledge about the prodcuts they sell. Bring your favorite runners (and an extra pair).
Cooking utensils - I'm a hobbyist cook and it's difficult to find certain things that you take for granted at home. Took me months to find a large collander for draining noodles. That said, you can find most things.
Prophylactics - If you've got a favorite brand at home, bring it. You can't find it here and the ones you buy in the corner shop are very poor quality.
No furniture - That stuff can be bought here cheaply or will come included with many places you decide to rent.
You can get pretty much everything in Hong Kong. Food is often tricky, but you can't go bringing your favorite deli cheese in the container, can you.
Good luck,
Peregrin
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"Cooking utensils - I'm a hobbyist cook and it's difficult to find certain things that you take for granted at home. Took me months to find a large collander for draining noodles. That said, you can find most things."
The shop at the top of Prince's Building has most everything including specialized stuff. Not terribly cheap but that stuff is expensive anywhere.
"Food is often tricky, but you can't go bringing your favorite deli cheese in the container, can you."
I don't really agree. While of course you can't find EVERYTHING, in the expat areas you'll find most of the stuff you find in the West. For specialty items, there's always Great, Oliver's and CitySuper, as well as a number of regional stores like the Italian one in Horizon Plaza.
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zmo
18 yrs ago
Well you all have saved me a huge headache on the TV. I'll just sell it and buy something locally. I think I'll definitely bring my Calaphon cookware since some cooking utensils. Being that I'll be buying furniture in HK for a small flat I'm trying to concentrate on these small but important things. Sad to hear about the high price of proscuitto, I can only imagine how much some nice serrano ham would run! Thanks very much for the tips.
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I'm going to nitpick here and say that Serrano is not prosciutto since it is not Italian. ;)
We have found that food, especially specialty Western food, is more expensive here. If you want to have organic, you'll also be paying through the nose.
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mac-compatible gadgets are hard to find, in limited selection, and overpriced, so best get those before coming to HK.
I'd also think seriously about bringing all of your heavy cookware. I cooked a lot at home but rarely do so here -- less familiar with the ingredients here (or hard to find the ingredients I'm used to) so don't really cook the same dishes anyway. plus, it's too easy to eat out every night.
maybe you'll want to learn chinese cooking here and end up buying new cookware anyway.
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And most apartments don't have ovens
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"And most apartments don't have ovens"
Really? I have heard that some apartments don't, but I have never seen one without.
"I'd also think seriously about bringing all of your heavy cookware. "
Agreed. Bring some essentials instead.
"I cooked a lot at home but rarely do so here -- less familiar with the ingredients here (or hard to find the ingredients I'm used to) so don't really cook the same dishes anyway."
Just out of curiosity, what are you not finding? Apart from some rare things I find the same stuff here as I did in the US or the UK. It might take a bit longer to find it and the label might be different, but I have not had any major issues.
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Apartments that come with ovens are usually of the larger variety, say over 1,500 SFT, smaller ones are usually only equipped with stoves and piped gas. Apartment complexes like South Horizons or Laguna City for example do not have ovens, since most apartments are of the smaller variety in Hong Kong it is more common for an apartment to come without an oven than with. If you live in an old building that is not luxury, you don't even get piped gas, its bottled.
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I see Digital Blonde. Thanks for the info.
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"Just out of curiosity, what are you not finding? Apart from some rare things I find the same stuff here as I did in the US or the UK. It might take a bit longer to find it and the label might be different, but I have not had any major issues."
I'm in tin hau and the parknshops/wellcomes near me don't carry: edible cheese, balsamic vinegar, fresh basil, olives, anchovies, among other things. of course, I can get all these things if I make a trip to a city super, but that's not feasible for regular, casual cooking at the end of the day.
so I shop pretty much at local stores and wet markets. the vegetables, mushrooms and fruits are fantasticly fresh and cheap. I also used to cook fish a lot, but I haven't tried to buy from the fish market yet...
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I get fish from Aussie Organics. There's also South Stream Seafoods. Delivered right to your door.
As for the rest of the things, I can find them all in my local Wellcome. Guess it depends on the area.
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