Hello! Hopefully, I'm not the only one to recently move to Hong Kong and feel a bit overwhelmed. I am here with my fiance and am trying to decorate our spacious three bedroom flat in Repulse Bay. I am from the United States and am accustomed to the convenience of A)My own vehicle (we have a rather large jag here not to mention I've never driven on the opposite side of the road) and B) Store chains that have all that I need in a one stop shop ie Bed Bath and Beyond, Linens and Things, Macy's Home, Restoration Hardware, West Elm, Z Gallery, etc. Yes, I've been to Ikea but it is not for us. I have also been to Indigo and it is ridiculously overpriced. I want nice quality things for our home but at a price point that makes sense especially in comparison to U.S. prices. I am also looking for an adult piano teacher who does home calls for my fiance and I, tennis lessons, Pilates reformer classes, and an easy way for me to study languages (Spanish, French, Italian, Mandarin and conversational Canton simply to converse with the locals). Would love any help you can give in regards to the matters mentioned above. Thank you!
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Why don't you start with the YWCA on MacDonell Road? Lots of brand new expats start there. There's Cantonese classes for beginners and there is a coffee group that are for new settlers in HK.
The thing about HK is, there's lots to enjoy. But the first six months are the hardest. You have to make a lot of effort and quit comparing your current life to what you are used to at home. Many of us have been down that road before so there's lots of sympathy there.
Try Horizon Plaza at Ap Lei Chau. It's an entire mall (industrial looking though) with lots of furniture options. You'll find everything you need for your home there. Take your time (as in the whole day) as there's LOTS of shops!
To study languages, look up the respective language schools Alliance Francais for French, Mandarin - lots of universities here offer day time classes for ladies of leisure. The rest you could give HK Institute of Languages or Berlitz?
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As familyofthree says, the first six months are the hardest. Try to take one step at a time and find some new friends who have been here a while to lean on for tips and advice.
Driving is just something you have to practice. You live on South Side so there isn't a lot of traffic. Try driving to Stanley and Shek O. Having said that, you can get by just fine on buses and taxis. I would suggest you don't just take your car everywhere, but explore with buses and minibuses. Much easier to get a feel for things that way.
Shopping in HK is very different from the US. No gigantic chain stores. It requires some detective work in the beginning. If you need something, ask around. People on this forum, your neighbors, etc...
For furniture, the aforementioned Horizon Plaza is good. Also Java Road in North Point. It is hard to match the US chain stores in price though.
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have a look at G.O.D. as well for furniture...and as this can be a very transient city, look here in the classifieds for used (often nearly new) quality furniture from the above mentioned stores...you can save alot...second the YM/YWCA for language (mando/canto)...a good place to meet people as well...
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Hi - welcome to HK! Sorry to hear that you're having a hard time adjusting. When I moved here, I was pretty depressed the first few months so I know what you mean. It's just so DIFFERENT!
Second the suggestion of Horizon Plaza. Start with Tree on the top floor and work your way down. Plus also check out the furniture stores along Wong Ngai Chung Road in Happy Valley (more European, though).
It's hard to find American style furniture here though (e.g. Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, Restoration Hardware)... there is a Baker store here but it is really expensive.
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Kachi
14 yrs ago
Hi there. I have been in the Kong for about nine months and understand your feelings of confusion and overwhelm! I am Australian and share your thoughts.. HK is a difficult place to get your head around so it is an international dilemma!
It will pass though but it will always be different to home and that's its beauty I suppose!!
I am just finishing a job for an American couple out at Stanley who were in a similar position to you regarding decorating their home. I am an interior stylist and can cater to your requirements whether you need furniture sourced, built or shopping accompanying (for the fun of it!) or simply give direction if you are wanting to decorate yourself.
The US has home decoration wrapped up. Its a very different story here. Horizons Plaza is a great start and you can find some great pieces for reasonable prices.
Shopping in China is another option and much cheaper that HK.
If you'd like to call me my number is 6346 9775. I'd be happy to talk or help.
Cheers, Kate
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lasez
14 yrs ago
Hang in there... when I moved here from another Asian city, I had a difficult time adjusting as well. So I can imagine the culture shock that you are experiencing. Give yourself more time...
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BTW, if you're into exercise and want to meet some nice people, come join us at Boot Camp in Repulse Bay. We start at 09:15 Mon-Wed-Fri opposite 7/11 on Beach Road. First one is free.
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Thank you to all of you who have replied!! The support is really uplifting. I hit the shops at Horizon Plaza this morning and that was just what I needed! They seem to have all the things I'm looking for at Tree, Indigo, Inside, etc. excluding bathroom and kitchen things. Feeling better for sure but the search continues, a bit easier now! I appreciate all the advice with the language courses as well and I will look into them this week. Also, I will definitely try to attend the boot camp as I would love to meet more female friends and get some exercise. I have joined Pure but it is difficult socializing at gyms of course. Kate: Ill ring you tomorrow for a chat. I was actually thinking about working with an interior decorator as I am clueless when it comes to measuring my space and choosing paints. I'm Mexican and my first instincts are to go for the bright vibrant colors lol. Thanks again to all who replied, will heed all your advice with an open mind :)
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Join the club house at 109 repulse bay rd- excellent facilities indoor pool open all year round great food- oh how i miss it:)
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For the bathroom and kitchen stuff, try Japan Home (it's a chain). It is not high end but you will find a lot of things. I have also had success just wandering around Wan Chai Market for this kind of thing.
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i've been in hong kong for many years now and something i was forced to do on arrival was catch public transport to places i had no reason to go to. the good thing is public transport, especially buses now, is excellent and you see so many things on the way to your destination that you may want to get off and wander around what you see. getting back on the bus later is easy and the routes are easy to understand as they are mainly there and back. you can always research the bus routes beforehand on their websites and use google map to find places mentioned. by the way, the public transport system here is one of the safest in the world and people, although very reserved, can be quite helpful.
p.s. i don't work for any public transport company just trying to give you an idea of how to get to know the place and feel comfortable.
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o, i figured out the bus system my second day here. have been taking them since but usually cabbing it back around rush hour time. have even taken the subway once. i hate public transport but you are right, its not so bad here. haha, im sure you dont work for a public transport co., hadnt even crossed my mind! thanks for the advice tho :)
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Nobody should underestimate the difficulties of settling in to a very different place like Hong Kong.
I hope that you manage things okay, but bear in mind that many people (in my experience) actually get through okay for a few months, but then kind of "hit the wall" after about six months. Like running a marathon (not that I ever have!) Get through that six months mark and you will be fine.
Stay fit, eat well, sleep sensibly, do not drink too much, and most importantly, do not try to change Hong Kong. Accept the good things, put up with the not-so-good, keep your overall objectives in mind, and keep busy - while leaving adequate time for rest, recreation, and most importantly, relationships.
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so insightful woods99. thank you for that! you are completely right. one thing i must make sure i do not do is change Hong Kong. i am open to accepting its culture, its language and societal habits. its such an amazing place. i have joined pure and have also looked into joining the club at repulse bay as well as take tennis lessons, private piano, language and hopefully find a part time job. you are also right about not drinking too much. my circle goes out after work nearly four to five times a week. they are a blast but they drink heaps and with that comes poor eating choices. I am lucky to have such a solid group of friends though, thanks to my fiance but investing in groups surrounding yoga, organic living, holistic health etc may be what I need for the long haul. Hong Kong seems like such a special place. I will definitely keep this in mind as I proceed on my journey to hit those first six months :)
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One thing is for sure, as an old expat I can say that forums like this are enormously helpful.
When I started work in HKG in the seventies, there was nothing in the way of information for new arrivals. I had very little idea of what I was getting myself into, and it was pretty much sink or swim. Lots of people sank.
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glad you swam. you seem to have a good head on your shoulders. seasoned with experience! its been tremendous help already. thanks again!
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Axptguy: where exactly is beach road? 7/11? i live right by The Repulse Bay on repulse bay road. ill see you at the boot camp on friday!
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Hiya. Beach Road is the road that runs along Repulse Bay Beach. It's runs parallel to the Repulse Bay Road straightaway but is down the hill. From the Repulse Bay Arcade (where the "Marketplace" grocery store and Pacific Coffee are) cross the street at the zebra crossing and take the stairs down all the way. Then take a left on Beach Road and walk about 100 meters and you'll see 7/11 on the left. We start across the road from 7/11.
See you Friday at 09:15. Bring a small towel and a small bottle of water.
woods99 said: "do not try to change Hong Kong." Brilliant! I'm totally stealing that!
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i know, i love it too. woods99 is a wise one indeed :) .cool, thanks. see you then
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Thanks for the kind words, folks. As the wise man said, we learn a lot more from our mistakes than from our successes. I made a lot of mistakes, and I am very happy to share my experiences here.
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FIFIB
14 yrs ago
There is also the Spanish Speaking Women Association in case you want to meet other Latin women
http://www.amhh.org.hk
Many of them live in South Island.
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axptguy38. i missed boot camp. good news. theres always Monday :)
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No worries. See you then.
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Welcome! I was new to HK and overwhelmed once, too... more than 17 years ago! Another great way to settle in and meet both locals and expats is to join a Meetup group. I love hiking - people often see HK's concrete jungle, and overlook its natural one! Meetup hiking offers regular hiking get-togethers at all levels, for experienced and inexperienced, easy, hard, long, short. Anyone can sign up at no cost. You didn't mention animals, but if you're looking for a way to give back to the community, there are plenty of dogs in HK homing centres that could use a walk and a friendly pat. You could volunteer with SPCA if that's of interest. Whatever you do, enjoy this fabulous city! There is so much to experience! Best!
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lalib
14 yrs ago
smoog,
On the one hand you criticise the OP for being a show off and on the other you offer genuine advise...........................WHY BOTHER
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is this guy for real?? hahaha. too funny. first off the jag is like from 1960. i make fun of my boy for having bought such a beater car but he likes to call it "vintage." thanks for all the insults and big words. we are all a bit more educated and enlightened because of your charming personality. maybe you should pick up a copy of how to win friends and influence people. thanks madtown and lalib for helping a girl out. my intentions are nothing but seeking for help and guidance. i am not rich nor is my fiance. we are a young couple just starting out. our place is furnished with some hand me down pieces we shipped over from his parents old home. id like to actually have our own furniture and begin making our flat feel like a home of our own. indigo is expensive for us but i prefer that style to ikea. its my personal preference and scrooge or smoog whatever your name is should find some better things to do with your time then to try to hurt people and make someone who is already going through a difficult time settling in feel even worse. if your mission is to cause grief to others then gold star for you as the mission was accomplished. that said, id appreciate you not posting on my discussion board. you will be reported for abuse. thanks.
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Just a point that I hope is worth making about the quality of life that certain fortunate expatriates enjoy. I worked for many years on generous, full, expatriate packages in both Hong Kong and Thailand.
I can say with certainty that being on the full package does not insulate you from some of the rigours of a posting in an Asian city. In fact, in the good old, bad old, days quite a few expatriate wives became full- blown alcoholics because they had money to spend, domestic staff to do all the work, and nothing else to do other than go lunching and shopping.
Think of it this way. When you take your first international flight it is a thrilling experience, after a few times it starts to get a bit humdrum, and you start picking holes and finding fault.
Then one day you get an upgrade to business class. Wonderful. But flying economy class is now a pain. Then you get promoted, and are able to fly business class all the time. Gradually you find things to be unhappy about even when you fly business class.
As your employment benefits increase, so do your expectations. So even when you are a senior exec enjoying all the perks, you will still find fault and feel unhappy about some aspects of your life.
So for those of you who are working away on local terms, do not feel too envious of those further up the benefits ladder. I can assure you that having the extra perks will not make you happy, per se. Conversely, you can be just as happy working on local terms, if you have your goals and objectives sorted out, and if you put a lot of effort into your health, life outside work, and of course, into your relationships.
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Well said, Woods 99. It seems that lately a lot of people on this forum, instead of giving useful advice, are being very critical and insulting and allowing their own insecurities and jelousies get the better of them and making assumptions about people they know nothing about.
Good luck in Hong Kong Christina. As Madtown said, there are lots of great people here and before you know it, you'll be the one giving advice to the new kid in town.
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