Must downgrade-Move to SHZ-Need advice

We are seriously considering downgrading our housing to save money by leaving HKG and moving to Shenzhen. We have been presented with a chance to live in a new townhouse in Chang An for probably less than HK$10K p/m (vs current rent near $40K). 1 spouse lost job in January. Have toddler in nursery school in HKG. Really like Philippino helper but have read that China wouldn't let her in as they are pushing for employment of local Chinese helpers.


Has anyone done this? We're viewing this as a 1-3 year solution to help get us through this crisis. Any thoughts/suggestions for a daily commute for working spouse to Central?


Thanks!

If you move to Shenzhen, then you should seriously consider living in NanShan district which is next to the Shenzhen Bay crossing. NanShan is the safest, cleanest, most prestigious area to live within Shenzhen and you will also find people with many different nationalities there, where else in China can you find 90% flats there requiring no "Bird cage" fence for protection/prevention?! From Shenzhen Bay, you can take bus to Kowloon MTR station which takes about 40 minutes, or you can take ferry to Central, many Honkers live in NanShan district and make this commute daily (including my colleague who lives in 尉蓝海岸 Cote'd Azur). Another nice bonus is that the air quality in Nanshan is actually cleaner than HK - according to my colleague and his "HK" neighbor!

I just got the address. It is:


Dongguan City ; ChangAn Town / DaLingShan Town Block XX, Unit XX. Xing Lin San Chuan estate


I've tried to find transportation information about this online, but no luck. Any ideas? The other issues are if we, as a family, need Visas to live in SHZ? Anyone know? We are on permanent HKID's and dependent Visas.

I don't get why you would want to move to China and waste so much time travelling each day. It would be a pain in the ass, especially given the time wastage and travelling conditions.


Given the falling HK rents, for 10k/month, you can get a relatively nice & big place in districts that are a tad further out (but still only around 30-40 mins to and from central). Examples include Park Island, Bellagio - Shum Tseng etc. Wouldn't this be a more logical option?

Several things here. Firstly the address you have given is Dongguan and that is a long and not entirely pleasant commute. Second, Dongguan is a mainly industrial area. There is not a lot for expats to do and some parts are downright dangerous especially in the current economic climate.


Now look at it financially. You do not have working visas and resident permits for China. Which means you cannot just decamp and move your personal items across the border, it's not allowed - you can however pay a huge tax on these items to get them into China.....


Schooling or KG, if international or English are actually far more expensive than HK. Hospitals, doctors, etc, etc. These all have to be paid for and the quality of such is so variable.


Travelling everyday, even if you are close to a border crossing in SZ is a pain. Even in places suggested above like Nanshan or Shekou which isn't quite the safe haven as portrayed or with air as clean as described (I have a place there myself as I work there often) can be a pain.


So overall you would not actually be saving much money at all. If you really want to brings costs down move to another part of HK as a temporary measure, there are many nice areas where you can get cheaper accommodation here.

Do people still commute to HKG from Macau?

All noted with thanks. We are exploring NT areas as well. The whole VISA issue is a concern, not to mention the commute.

I hope you've been talked out of the crazy idea of living in Dalingshan town !! seriously dangerous and remote. You could find a very very nice place in Shekou for 6000RMB per month and pay another 4000 to take the ferry from Shekou to Central daily (745 AM to work, 600 PM back). Shekou is like living in the New Territories but with more western amenities available. virtually all of the expats in Shenzhen live in Shekou or OCT.