Hk to London

Hi...have just been asked to consider moving to London....i am an asian and have never really lived out of Asia and hence have lots of concerns/questions. Higher tax rates etc. aside, wanted to get some color on


- quality of schooling for young children

- quality of housing

- commuting

- healthcare

- weather

- rules for taking domestic helpers from here

- any other information that is relevant..


Overall, on a scale of 0-10 (0 being bad and 10 best), where would you place Hk and London?

London is a big place - something like 12million people in greater London - so much depends on the location.

Schooling - international schools are comensurate, local schools in London have smaller classes and less homework

Housing - medium density is common but much of London is houses rather than apartments.

Commuting - horrid compared with civilized Hong Kong

Weather - so dark in winter but as Billy Connelly said "It is not bad weather just bad choice in clothes" though I did tire of stripping off three layers of clothes when entering superheated shopping malls and then pushing a trolley of jackets etc belonging to self and kids.

Domestic helpers - as HK knows them, they are not allowed. You may employ a cleaner or nanny but you pay commercial rates, they get sick days, they work to a maximum of ?? hours per day/week, etc. You can consider an Au Pair but they come with rules as well.

Air and noise pollution is better.

Far more parochial attitude in London.

Londoners are less patient, easier to annoy than HKers who I aspire to reach their level of accepting of others.

If its not forever you can always try it out; and moving across town in London can be a huge cultural upheaval due to local nuances so if you don't like where you first go then try 30km down the road.