Issues when coming to HK

A few of us are having a debate on what are the top issues most expats face when coming to hk. I would like to get your opinions... maybe I'll write a book about it too...


mine are:

1- where to live (everyone has their own ideas. mid-levels/Soho vs closer to work)

2- expanding the social circle with locals

3- feel like a target when out and about

4- have a business idea and wanting to run with it (should I/ shouldn't I)

5- will the kids get a proper education comparable to back home


any thoughts? ... cheers

"1- where to live (everyone has their own ideas. mid-levels/Soho vs closer to work)"

Depends on your family situation and your preferred lifestyle.


"3- feel like a target when out and about"


Really? If there is one big city I have always felt safe in, it is HK.


"5- will the kids get a proper education comparable to back home"


If you can pay for private school, the kids can definitely get a world class education, equal to the best anywhere.

4- have a business idea and wanting to run with it (should I/ shouldn't I)


That's not really an issue about expats coming to HK, that's more of a personal issue which would play on your mind wherever you are.

1- where to live (everyone has their own ideas. mid-levels/Soho vs closer to work)

Yes we all have our own ideas of where to live in HK though I would advise against mid-levels or SoHo with a family


2- expanding the social circle with locals

Move to the New Territories or Kowloon and you'll get a better feeling for local life


3- feel like a target when out and about

At times I resent being referred to as a Gweipo but nobody will shoot you here, it is very safe


4- have a business idea and wanting to run with it (should I/ shouldn't I)

Yes Go For It!


5- will the kids get a proper education comparable to back home

They will get a better education here if they apply themselves.

Answers to this will change over time and be dependent on family situation, so below I have answered in 5 year blocks - for those who like 5 year plans

1- where to live (everyone has their own ideas. mid-levels/Soho vs closer to work)

on arrival - young, free & single - get to midlevels and save yourself a lot of expense on taxi's. Enjoy the nightlife - work hard play hard

after 5 years - time to give your liver a rest and get out of town - a bit - head for south of the island, maybe DB depending on your budget - you will not be on top of work, but everything including nighttime entertainment is still accessible!

after 10 years - I think we can safely say that "we are only going to be here for 2 years, so we can make do" has gone out of the window, along with a portion of your youth, freedom and singleton-ness - kids here or on the way - head out to the outlying islands, Clearwater Bay, Sai Kung or for the intrepid explorer Tai Po and environs

15 years - you are where you are and if that's in the NT's you are likely to be staying put or thinking about heading back to ...whereever. If you havent found New Territories, buy a car and its only a matter of time.

2- expanding the social circle with locals

If there is one place to expand your social circles with people from everywhere in the world - this is it. Local or otherwise it depends on what it is you are looking for in your social exploits? if it involves a large amount of drinking, then the local population (depending on your age of course) are not going to be that interested. Otherwise, they are like anyone else and participate in sports and other activities - you may even venture a conversation with someone you meet in a store or a bus, a neighbour even...depends on how daring you are

3- feel like a target when out and about

Depends where you are out and about and who you are. Thankfully we are spared targeting from polsters with surveys, all but the most intrepid sales people and many of the flyer handouts.

However if you have children especially with fair hair and go to Ocean Park or other such places, the kids are subject to a dizzying and often blinding array of cameras wanting to take pictures of them and with them etc.

from a safety point of view, I feel safer here than anywhere in the world. However in the NT we have and continue to be the target of racism and harrassment from the local villagers to whom we are very strange and a mysterious threat of some sort. I dare say however that if they moved to a small rural village in UK or Aus or most places come to think of it, they would probably be the recipient of similar treatment

4- have a business idea and wanting to run with it (should I/ shouldn't I)

If ever there were a place to reinvent yourself, this is it. No one knows you, what you did, what you can do, so go for it and have a great time! the same rules of starting business anywhere in the world apply of course - know your market, plan your business and ensure that you have enough financial and emotional support to see it through.

5- will the kids get a proper education comparable to back home

The kids will learn to read and write and do maths, just like back home - they will also be exposed to such a variety of kids from other cultures and become children of the world. They will have the opportunity to form relationships with people whom they would never otherwise have met and grow to understand about supporting one another as they are all a long way from home and if they are lucky these friendships will last a lifetime and form the basis of a lifelong network of friends all over the world.

There are a whole range of schools providing a myriad of educational options, and certainly more than would have been available where I came from.

I also feel that the local culture where the smartest kids are the coolest kids (instead of it being the 'jocks') is a good message that reflects well on all childrens attitude to learning. Its cool to study hard here - is that how it is where you come from? OK to be fair its probably quite not the same in the expat schools, but its still a private education and my experience has been that the kids are loving it - and learning.


I want royalties when you write that book! ;)

Was the OP asking what are the issues (I think?) or what do you think about the issues listed? As I work with a lot of newbies, I'd say the issues are

1. where to live & size of hk flats

2. getting a good doctor & dentist

3. food from home (esp. organic these days)

4. transport (life without a car!)

5. should/could the trailing spouse work?


and schools of course for families.

sistim, I agree those are issues initially. But they are all solvable. without too much difficulty.

i agree with sistem. i think he/she is asking what the issues are. my experience has been:

1. what are the dos and donts in HK especially for newbies. i've met many for whom hk is their first stop overseas

2. where to live? where to get a good and reliable property agent

3. how to fast track to expand circle of friends

4, besides bar hopping, what are the must do in hk

5. should i learn cantonese or mandarin? is it necessary at all?