Posted by
Gwénolé
11 yrs ago
Hello,
I have received a job offer to move to hong-kong:
Base salary: HK$35,000 per month
Housing allowance: HK$18,000 per month
I know that it is possible to live on this salary (from other posts, locals seems to get by with a lot less). I'm however not so sure about the life I should expect from this. I'm 33 years old and would come either alone or with my girlfriend to hong-kong.
What kind of appartment can I get for this amount? (centrally located as I may often work at night)
Is it possible to live comfortably with this kind of money? (I should have around 22000 after HK taxes + home country taxe which are to be paid a year later)
Is it possible to for two pleople to live on this salary in case my gf comes?
Many thanks in advance for your reply, I've wondered a lot on forums and it's all a bit confusing :)
Please support our advertisers:
Certainly it's possible, quite comfortably I would say.
18K/month housing allowance can get you a very good two bedroom flat in a new property development with good amenities and good transport links. (Two bedroom flat with about 500 square feet of usable area.)
Please support our advertisers:
Ed
11 yrs ago
I think take home will be higher no? Tax is incremental with the first 100k or so taxed at a lower rate than the max 15%....
Housing is the biggest issue - for 18k you should get something pretty good --- I've always liked to live near work in HK...
Please support our advertisers:
Thank you very much for your quick answers! (Really!:)
My girlfriend would come on a tourist visa in order to get some contacts and see what is feasible.
I'm not quite sure to have understood, would we be comfortable for two people to live on this salary? Or was the answer relevent for a single lad?
About the flat, I'm considerring Happy Valley as it seems less over-croweded with partying folks than wan-chai. Do you think it is possible to get a decent flat in this area (1 bedroom, 1 living room/kitchen + (if i may dream a little) a balcony with open view) :) Is that any realistic?
Please support our advertisers:
jgb
11 yrs ago
Housing on this 18k will be small not what you are used too. 25k would be better!
Salary at 22k will be ok but there will be no spare money, especially if you eat out or like western food.
Push for 30k then you can support you and you girlfriend. HK is not cheap!
Please support our advertisers:
Thanks a lot again, these few lines really helped me a lot! (really really did!)
No plans for marriage so far, it'll be a test to see how ressourfull and imaginative we can be :)
Thanks again!
Please support our advertisers:
gdep
11 yrs ago
welcome to HK..
for $18K .. you can get a 500 sq ft net 2 bed in Happy Valley.. Try getting a walk-up and you might get something bigger or if you are lucky (or do extensive search) might get something with a rooftop or a small terrace.. HV is a great choice..
Not sure of your home country tax.. but would say your 33K salary is what you will have in HK, especially if you are paid bonus which you can mark towards Tax
Please support our advertisers:
HI,
Lama island would be great, unfortunatelly I may work at night from time to time and ferry is therefore not an option (but it'd be great to be on this island!)
I was considerring Happy Valley (seems nice and less not so strong in terms of bling's temptation :)
How long does it take to go to central? (walking or by bus/tram)
Please support our advertisers:
Ed
11 yrs ago
Lived in Happy Valley for many years -- great village feel... some good pubs and decent restaurants
Please support our advertisers:
Is it far from central and wanchai using transportation or walking?
Please support our advertisers:
I would suggest looking at a flat share to start with for six months. It means you will meet another person, your living costs will be reduced and it then gives you a chance to look around and decide what works.
Please support our advertisers:
The OP has 18K as housing allowance. Why flat-share? I'm sure he can find a good one with that amount.
Please support our advertisers:
From happy valley to central is about a 20min cab ride, 30min bus at rush hour but you can also try use the trams which are dirt cheap. However, they are hot in summer as no air con and crammed at rush hour.
In my opinion, you would have to live a less luxurious life if your gf is not earning and you have 22k roughly after taxes per month to support you both. However, this is easily done in HK- shop at the markets instead of supermarkets, eat at local restaurants rather than expensive western ones and take advantage of the many national parks for outdoor fun on the weekends.
The only thing I would suggest is that your gf really does try to get a job, otherwise she may get easily bored as most people work and those who dont are ones with kids most likely. Whilst there is lots to discover, sitting around waiting for you all day to finish work may drive her mad! Plus, it would be expensive for her to try entertain herself everyday.
Apartments are easily rented for 18k, but you may have to do quite some searching. There are great ones, and there are horrendous ones in every price bracket.
Please support our advertisers:
Thanks for the tips :)
We are not much into the bling side of life, so no problem for us to live local (it's actually the point:)
As for going out.... canoe and catamaran are definitelly at the top of our list so I beleive we can be live cheap. That being said, if she comes, she'll definitelly look for a job.
Please support our advertisers:
Happy Valley is a quiet spot for HK Island living and is commutable to Central. Lots of sporty people live there and it does have a friendly village feel about the place. However if you enjoy water sports and a quieter more local way of living I would also recommend Mui Wo on Lantau island. The ferry from there to central takes 30 minutes and you can walk from there into IFC so you will never get stuck in traffic as you can to and from HV. It can sometimes actually be a quicker commute! Also, the rent is much cheaper and the air is fresher. I have lived in both places so I am in a good position to compare. Good luck with your search!
Please support our advertisers:
FYI, there a a couple of good websites to research.
Asiaexpat has a property section (you may know already).
Also quite good is Squarefoot.com.
There are other alternatives too.
http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/property/direct-owner-apartments-for-rent/764008.asp
Good luck hunting.
Please support our advertisers:
You must be logged in to be able to reply.
Login now
Copy Link
Facebook
Gmail
Mail