Posted by
doeymccabe
15 yrs ago
Is there anything that comes to mind that I will really miss and wish I had shipped over with me? If anyone can think of anything please let me know. I realize I am moving to one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the World -- and I keep trying to think of creature comforts that I may miss. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
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I think you are asking the wrong question. ;) What NOT to bring is the biggie when moving to HK. You will probably be living smaller. Better to have to buy a few things here that you should have brought than have to cram your place full of stuff.
The item you miss will probably be some foodstuff, but Gateway ("The American Store") and even general grocery stores have good selections of US products so you might well find it here. The only thing I really miss from the US is Yuengling beer. But Asahi isn't so bad either.
If you love reading, buy a Kindle so you don't have to import the books once you are here. Books are more expensive (even online) and the selections aren't as good.
A lot is mental attitude: Don't try to replicate your "old" life. This is a different place. I have found that the least happy expats are the ones who try to make their life identical in HK to what it was "back home", and keep moaning about the life they used to have instead of seeing the great things that exist here.
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Ed
15 yrs ago
Check with Santa Fe - I think they would be able to provide a list of such things:
http://www.asiaxpat.com/movingquote/
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axptguy38: I agree with your philosophy one hundred percent. Thanks for the response. I have lived in other countries before -- even Third World countries -- so I know I will embrace the lifestyle there. I think the Kindle is a good idea -- I'm think more iPad as a Mac lover -- but regardless really appreciate your thoughts. Thanks again.
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Amen on the larger clothing. And you don't really have to be that big to have issues. My wife is a medium in the US. Here, she is an x-large (this does not make her very happy). The clerks will look at her and say, "hmmmmm, maybe I have one your size in back". If she's lucky, they'll come out with the ONE size 10 dress that they stocked.
And on that note, women's shoes in larger sizes are hard to find. If you're a size 8½ and up, you'll have problems.
One woman I know, and she is by no means that large, was waved away as she entered a store with the words "Nonono! No fatty sizes!"
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Ha! I am so big for my size I can't find clothes in the US! But it isn't like GAP ever really carried good sizes anyway.
The things I expect to stock-up on, as the others are saying are clothes, mostly shirts. Other than that I only expect to ship some books and DVD's so that I have something to watch other than the wonderful Canton programing.
The part that makes me really sad is that I have a very nice pair of Yamaha surround speakers, the kind that are expensive to replace, but they will be too large. It is probably a good thing I love my wife. . . because it was a hard choice. Ha.
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madtown hits the nail on the head with taking some time. Going even further, a professional orientation (many of the relo companies run these) is an incredibly good idea. Great head start.
I wouldn't go so far as to say you need ALL the winter gear but certainly some. Leave your parka and moon boots. ;) Yes, it does get cold and humid and this can make it feel really "raw", but I find that this is mostly and indoor thing. Once you are outdoors and moving even a little bit you are ok. Then again I am from Sweden so I guess this can never be cold to me. Even in the middle of "winter", I'll be cozy in jeans, a shirt and a light jacket outdoors. At home I've got my heavy wool slippers, plus a blanket when in the sofa.
Having the dehumidifiers on in winter helps a lot with comfort level indoors.
Cheaper and faster than Amazon.com: www.bookdepository.co.uk.
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I know it is not what you asked, but don't bring electrical goods with you, unless they can take 240V.
And even if your DVD player can change to 240V, if it will only read Region 1, then don't bother bringing it as you will not be able to watch most locally bought DVDs. You can buy one here, that will play multi-region DVDs, pretty cheaply.
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I was here 3 winters ago. I remember. Still not even close to needing a parka. I think I put a leather jacket+jumper and gloves at most. Then again as mentioned I grew up in Sweden.
Electrical. spurtio is right. However if it uses less than about 100w (should say on the thing) you can get a small and cheap converter. You can of course do so up to about 2000w but those converters are large and expensive. Not worth it. Do check that any electronics can handle 100-240v or can be switched to 220-240v (some computer can do this)
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As you are from the states, don't forget to bring the kids, if you have any (those coming from the UK simply put them in boarding school and will bring the pets instead).
Being serious, bring an open mind, as you will read from these forums an open mind will soon be filled with lots of new interesting things, as a closed one will just bore everyone with how things are better is much x, y and singapore.
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Madtown........Are you really skinny? Sounds like you need fattening up in order to withstand the rigour of the harsh HK winter!! :-) Bring on the meat pies!
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The importance of having warm feet cannot be overstated. Indoors, nice thick woolen socks and/or a pair of lambskin slippers solve that. Outdoors, make sure your shoes have thick soles to insulate from the ground.
Most HKers have no idea how to dress for cold. I can understand why of course, but it still amazes me to see women in a parka, a short skirt, stockings and pumps. Of course they complain of the cold!
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Good point about slippers, those wood floors seem to cool off in November & don't warm up again till May! I wouldn't bring a parka, there are so many cheap ski wear & coat shops in Mong Kok, Wanchai etc.
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axpat,guy, you don't know how much you just made me think of my Drill Sargeant! As you mentioned keeping your feet warm I could hear nothing buy the DS in my head during an early morning 10K march "Wiggle those toes soldiers" Ha.
It is interesting to hear how cold it can get. I thought my wife was just being dramatic when she was dawning her coat and shivering on the webcam.
Madtown is somewhat right. What you need to understand is that most electronics actually operate on DC power. As such, the adapter would convert the AC current into usable DC current that your device can use. If it has a detachable cord it is more than likely 110/220 ~ 50/60 Hz. and ready to work internationally, you just need the proper cord/adapter.
If it doesn't have a removable cord, the adapter or converter was built inside the device and you might need to verify by looking on the back.
Some devices I don't recommend using converters on, especially audio and video equipment. Converters can sometimes dirty the power and cause audible and visual artifacts.
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Bring cardigans or sweaters even for the summer temps. You go from hot & humid outside to freezing a/c inside. It's good to always have one along to throw on over a sundress, tank top.
I found the winter to be very cold-- it can really chill you to the bone.
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I will admit that I have never been as cold inside my home as in HK in winter.
"axpat,guy, you don't know how much you just made me think of my Drill Sargeant! "
I have been a sergeant but not a drill sergeant. ;)
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Thanks all for all this helpful info! Keep it coming if you think of anything else. I am leaving everything (furniture, etc) behind -- minimizing our wardrobes -- but bringing our mattress as it is a good one (my husband thinks this is ridiculous...thoughts?). Otherwise, there are a couple of non-perishable food items that I am bringing, thanks for the heads up on the deodorant and the toothpaste and winter items. I naturally have cold feet so will bring some woolies for my feet. Anything else?
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I would definitely bring the mattress.
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my two cents - the worst winter day here is a brisk fall day in Canada/northern US...my thin ski jacket has seen the light of day maybe 4 days in 7 years here...like axpt says, keep your feet warm and the rest will follow...wear a windbreaker and a long sleeved tshirt and you'll be fine 99% of the time (add a sweater one that one other day!)
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Err... Madtown, those are pictures of Chinese New Years parade in New York not Hong Kong. I am sure that eskimos are wearing parkas at that time of year also, but they aren't in HK either.
You are really stuck on this aren't you. :-)
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Bring a baseball glove. They're not available in HK. Bring your own skates if you like ice skating as the ones here are figure skates which don't work too well for guys. If you're a left handed golfer, bring your own clubs as left handed clubs are not available here. Crest toothpaste is one that I hear about as well. Aside from that, an open mind is all that you need.
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philly, here's an old website with addresses and numbers of some baseball suppliers...not sure if any are still around...from the HK Baseball Association site (chinese)
http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&tl=en&u=http://www.hkbaseball.org/member.htm&rurl=translate.google.com&usg=ALkJrhh-hkloB-RrsAEBU3NKpY9khNGA-A
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Why don't figure skates work well for guys? Surely there are male figure skaters...
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I have a strange flashback to Hitchhikers Guide. . .
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Don't forget your towel. :)
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Most guys that I know learned to skate with "hockey" skates and learned to stop with the jump stop using the sides of the blades. Having the spikes in the front of figure skates takes getting used to as it catches the ice if you're not careful. Plus, figure skates tend to be narrower especially in the midfoot which can be problematic as guys feet are usually wider than women's feet.
Baseball gloves - not as many choices here (mostly Japanese brands). I buy mine online and get them shipped here.
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I would say the item we use the most from the UK, which is not as far as I know currently available to buy in Hong Kong, is our decent (Panasonic) bread-making machine.
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Thames. Bread machines are available. I don't know about Panasonic specifically but you can get an excellent Kenwood at Fortress for example.
I see about the skates.
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Ed
15 yrs ago
Skating on figure skates is quite a bit different that skating on hockey skates... the blades are flat on figure skates and you push off more to the sides... with hockey skates the blades are shorter and more rounded... you get more onto your toes to push off more like sprinting... if you try that with figure skates (and trust me I have....) you will catch the 'pick' on the toe (which is used by figure skaters to plant for jumps) in the ice and do a face plant :(
Most of the ice rinks in HK rent figure skates only - but I think Festival Walk has hockey skates...
There is also a lot of recreational ice hockey in HK... the highest level has quite a few ex-college players... and there is currently one former NHL All Star playing... you may recall Bubba Beck...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2nWw2rtcZI&feature=related
http://www.hkaih.org/hkaih_coach.htm
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I tried the rink at Elements. Now I am by no means an expert (learned in school like all the other Swedes), but I found the ice to be terrible. Uneven as all hell. I would think if they zambonied it even once per day it would be better.
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joga
15 yrs ago
I am not a figure skater but I but I am a goofy footed snowboarder who knows the answer to that. It's not all skaters just the majority of skaters. People naturally tend to favour a certain side of the body which will control the most natural direction of spin. Much the same as some people are goofy footed (leading with the right foot) when snowboarding but the majority will lead with left foot.
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joga
15 yrs ago
the stair test is probably the one to go for then, my son once tried the surprise push from behind test on my daughter, she fell and didn't talk to him for the rest of the day :)
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Hi, expatguy, I know - but I did say 'decent' bread-making machines! ;-)
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cd
15 yrs ago
Wpuld just like to add that last winter was the first time in 13 years of living in HK that I have worn a coat, and only because I was sitting outside in the evenings watching football sitting on metal seats.... It rarely gets below 10c in town, although lower in the NT. Usually a fleece and scarf will surfice. But it does get really cold in doors, especially when you're sitting around doing nothing. My brother never believed me until he experienced it for himself last december.
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Indoors is indeed the killer. Dehumidifiers help a lot. Also, in November buy a couple of radiators from Fortress and roll them out as needed.
Thames, our bread machine is very decent. :)
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I remember that winter, got to only 7c ( not minus 7) in Lantua, for a couple of nights, which is a big shock to the system when you get used to the higher temperatures and humidity of HK. Most houses like the one we have here only have thin walls, a lot of glass which isn't double glazed, so the house felt like a fridge, Every body was rushing to buy any heater they could get thier hands on, and they were selling out fast..
One tip you can often buy second hand heaters or dehumidifiers when expats leave, may not be the right season at the time to buy, but grab them when you can, and save a lot, I did this after intitially buying two new ones when we were freezing, now I'm ready for anything the weather brings.
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Yep, if you are right-handed like most people then you may also be right-footed (ie jump with your right foot). If so then you will naturally turn inwards (ie counter-clockwise). As for American $$ they will not be accepted here unless you exchange them into HK Dollars - this is not like Philippines or Indonesia.
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In any case the Honkie is pegged to the US$.
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Seriously? Cash US dollars? What's up with that?
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What I wished they have here is a Banana Republic. An outlet mall Bed & Bath would be great as well. Bed&Bath at the Prince's Building is going to be expensive just from the rent alone.
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We just moved here a month ago. All we brought were the kids and clothes. There are a couple of things that I would recommend:
1.Bring Cash ... don't bring Travelers Checks -- especially if you want to open a bank account. We found that we could only cash $2000 a day at .5% fee. There is a one bank that will cash them for "free", but you can only do a $1000 a day. This was a daunting thing considering we were trying to put deposits down for apts.
2. Sunscreen. My husband is a runner and needs it for his long runs. He is VERY pale, so he may need more than most. We have found some, but it seems to be somewhat expensive.
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cd
15 yrs ago
To Madtown, no I wasn't on holiday, don't often get those. As to the cold weather warning, that goes up when it gets to about 15c so it being up for 26 consecutive days doesn't mean much. But when it gets cold most people aren't out in it for that long. We had several nights last winter where it was down to 2-3c, I remember cos my son was camping on one of them. But generally if you're just moving between cars/offices/trains/shops etc, then you do not need big coats etc, a fleece is more than enough. But if you're outside watching sports etc, especially in the evenings then yed bring a coat, although ski jackets are relatively cheap here.
p.s Madtown, just out of curiosity, your posts are always so negative towards HK, you obviously don't like the place so why do you stay?
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Agreed. Traveller's cheques are a pain in the a** to cash at HSBC - frankly not worth the hassle - cash is king as they say. My friend wanted to pay me in USD Amex T.C. because I gave him HKD. I took the T.C. to HSBC who would not cash it for me unless he signed them over in front of them. Luckily my friend was still in town and when we went to the branch and he signed the TC's over to me with HSBC as witness they still wanted to charge him a fee for the cashing. and I am both a Premier customer as well as an employee of HSBC. So the advice on the TC's is very good.
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>cd madtown's made it clear in other posts that hk's a good place to make some money and run, and that he's making obscene amounts of it, so that would be his reason for enduring the bone-chilling arctic climate we have here in winter ;-)
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is the air quality really as bad as they say? I still am not sure what people mean by that.
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Not in the last week or so, the air quality has been great. Skies so blue as I have never before seen over Hong Kong. Sun is so bright because there is no layer of smog between it and us. Just lovely.
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The impact of pollution is extremely subjective, especially since the EPD doesn't follow international norms for measuring it. Some people find it unbearable, others find it acceptable.
The other part of "air quality" is the heat and humidity. As cara mentions, it is quite something right now. The temperature is about 32 C, which doesn't sound like that much but in this humidity and still air it is like walking around in a greenhouse. Worst of all is that sweat doesn't evaporate easily. It just sticks to your skin and stays there. Blech...
"People wore winter stocking hats and wool gloves."
Like most people from warm climates, they were overdressing for the weather. ;)
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LOL Madman. I think you should feel vindicated. :) Cheers!
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