Posted by
meghann
20 yrs ago
I am an american living in the UK on a work assignment. My company has asked me to move to Asia to set up operations there. They have left the location of the move pretty much up to me. Hong Kong and Singapore seem like the two most obvious choices to me. What do you all think? If you had the choice which one would you choose? I'm in my early thirties, and will be relocating alone.
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Ah ha. I got offered the same choice a few months ago and for me it was a no brainer. I hate Singapore. The place is boring, the weather is miserable all year round as opposed to just a few months of the year and whilst ostensibly you are in Asia you are surrounded by a bunch of Chinese people pretending to be white. Despite the fact that Singapore is about 70% Chinese, they have a "China town". As far as I can see the main purpose of China town is for Chinese people to sell you junk and for Indian people to sell you suits. Just like China except with Indians...
However - if you like an easy life then Singapore could be for you as everything works, they all speak English (albeit with an annoying accent) and things like visas and paperwork will get sorted quicker and with less stress. It's cheaper to live in too if that's a factor.
I personally prefer Hong Kong because it actually feels like you are living in Asia and the place just has more character. Fair enough you have to put up with taxi drivers who drive like maniacs and often take pride in winding you up; some pretty unpleasant pollution and (unless you have cash) some pretty shabby living conditions but as I sit here and look out my window at the harbor I wouldn't move to Singapore for the world.
The general conclusion from everyone I've spoken to is that Singapore is preferred by people with families and Hong Kong by singles.
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You've really got to visit both places to get an idea for what they're like and see for yourself how you like both cities. You don't say whether you have children, but I would agree that Singapore (and my friends who've lived in both places concur) is Expat 101 for American families, and Hong Kong must be Expat 102. Singapore may have year-round muggy weather, but it as a smaller, greener, cleaner, cheaper and more accessible city. You will usually have more space and yard/garden, but maybe not the views you can have in Hong Kong.
Because Singapore is so organized, businesses generally find it much easier to start up there. It is a much more Westernized city, in many ways and of course, some people will find this boring and not Asian enough. Personally, after living in Hong Kong, I found Singapore's clean air and lots of open green space to be refreshing. The people are friendly, the city is very walkable (mostly flat) and there are lots of trees.
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I would say Singapore as your main priority is setting up business.As already stated English standards are higher, paperwork is much easier to get processed, Singapore is smaller much easier to get around.Also you have easy access to Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand whereas in Hong Kong you have access to only China and they speak a different language/dialect there.You have many theme parks in Singapore as opposed to virtually nothing in Hong kong.Pollution is fast becoming a major factor here, and also the breakdown of the one country two systems seems to be weakening.Singapore may seem more authoritarian, no chewing gum, no smoking in restaurents but on the whole a better place to live
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Since you are American, I'd simply recast your question. Your choice is between New York (HK) or Atlanta (Singapore). Which city is more appealing to you?
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Froggee, I like your saying "a bunch of chinese people pretending to be white and the accent is pretty annoying". Those are exactly what I feel about the people. But having said that, Singapore is very stable and civilized. On the business sense, Singapore might be the choice.
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Foth has good points about the weather in Singapore and Hong Kong's green space. Singapore is a smaller city though and less densely populated so I had the impression of more open space within the city itself. I would definitely agree that for a single guy, HK is a much more dynamic city in most ways. Singapore would probably get boring quickly for a single person or even young couples. But for a family, Singapore would be easier in many ways. It would have been easier for our family-though my husband finds it dull!
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Sabi,
That's interesting. Do you think it makes a difference being a new expat versus an experienced one? Most people I know say it's easier settling into Sing. vs. Hk.
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Was away for the weekend- and just now am reading all the responses. I'm surprised how evenly mixed they are. Oh, to answer some questions, I'm 31, single, female, no kids. The business is a trading branch of a US injection moulder making speciality plastic packaging.
In terms of NYC vs. Atlanta. I used to live in NYC, and didn't love it. In fact, I was quite hostile to it. But I've never been to Atlanta. I visited Singapore on my last trip, this trip I need to visit Hong Kong and compare.
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i never could put my finger on what erked me abot nyc. it was the grayness, the bleakness, the shallowness of the people (gross generalizations, I know). right now i live in rural england, there are lambs outside my window, and a thriving community around me. i must admit, right now i'm leaning towards singapore just for its 1)lifestyle?, 2) relative ease at setting up a business. Another random question: looking at a map of HK, the airport looks a ways outside the city. how car? public transport to it?
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Ed
20 yrs ago
For what its worth we have an office in HK and SG and there are positives with both cities. HK is definitely more of a 'can do' city with respect to doing business. Things happen quickly here. The other good thing about HK is convenience - everything is very close.
The positives of Singapore would be minimal culture shock for a westerner, you can have a much bigger better apt for about half the cost of HK, and a much less hectic environment.
Personally I prefer HK because I want 'INSTANT!' and I get frustrated if I dont get it. Singapore's a nice place but it reminds me a little too much of Canada eh....
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a good example of doing business in HK.A new pub in Sai Kung has had to close its doors as it doesn't have a liquor licence. This is a common ocurrence in Hong Kong, sometimes you have to wait up to a year for your licence.So make sure you have applied for all relevants documentation well in advance if you come to H.K
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Roger 52
No i dont agree to what you said. You are right about the liquor licence but that is different to trading business in HK. I am in the trading field in HK and everything is very instant. Now you only need one person in order to register as a limited company, whereas in the past you needed 2. Everything is changing. Also the tax issue is a BIG deal.
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it's so hard to imagine what one will like. i consider myself a very driven, determined chick in terms of work. but my personal time is different- i like quiet and simple pleasures.
i grew up in a small town in NJ, then went to University/college in Boston. Loved the vitality and freshness of that city. so different in character from NYC.
now i live in rural england. i do miss some aspects of the city, but all in all i like visiting cities...
i like sabi's idea of discovery bay... sounds lovely... but commuting via ferry every morning... not sure.
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How about a small village in the New Territories? Very convenient public transport (buses, train) or you can drive if you like. But as our transportation is so covenient, you dont really need a car. Taxi is cheap as well. As your business sounds like you might need to travel to China, living in the N. T. gives you the convenience of getting to China. I live in a small village in N. T. Every morning, I hear birds, chickens, ducks and lots of greenery here as well. We have a 'tiny' expat community here (about 10 people i think), mainly consists of English teachers, construction engineers and airline related staff etc. Good luck in your choice.
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I agree with Mighty ,a small village in the New Territories might be the way to go, you would have a lot more freedom in the way you live than in Discovery bay which is controlled by a management company.Discovery Bay always reminds me of council houses in the UK, also has the reputation of being sterile, lifeless
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I've lived and worked in HK and Singapore - Sing is probably the easier place to live in because the standard of English is so good, and the efficiency of the city in terms of services is excellent. Eg, not a question of waiting in all day for someone to fix the plumbing; it's exactly like - he'll be there between 9 and 11 am. And he will!
There is also much more racial diversity in Sing. Indians, Chinese (obviously), Malays, Indonesians, Filipin(o)(a)s. It is also a very safe place if you're given to wandering around. And the foodmarkets are excellent for a cheap eat.
Hong Kong is so different. English is not widely or well spoken - sign language is a wonderful thing. Rents are astronomic, although the pay (if you're lucky) is good. It's a good idea to get someone in the office to tell you your apartment's name in Chinese.
I'd agree here that HK best suits singles - if I were 30 and single, I'd probably live in the mid-Levels or Wanchai and have a good time. But for families, I'd definitely have a look at Pokfulam - only about 10 mins (taxi) into Central, and the rents are lower as Chinese don't like to live near cemeteries. At least the neighbours are quiet!
And, anyway you look at it, Hong Kong is the hub. Sorry, Singapore - you've still got catching up to do. But China is the way to go.
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Oh, come on, where can you find the perfect place?? Bugs are everywhere not just in HK. Where was the mad cow disease started? Which country allows people to have guns and that someone had killed his little brother because he accidentally found the gun his parents got at home and he was too young to differenciate between the real and unreal? Expensive in what ways? I can easily manage to cook a dinner for my family of 3 (including my helper shld be 4)at just $50. You can have a nice flat with only $5000 monthly with a garden in the front and 700 sq. ft. inside the house. But yet, you only need 50 mins to get to Central. If you are driving, then 30 mins. or so.
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A female who enjoys watching the wildlife out of her window? That sounds like me! I moved from 12 acres, big house, no neighbors in the US to Hong Kong. Been here 4 1/2 years and am moving to Singapore in June. I am ecstatic to be moving to Singapore! Why? Because as you so aptly pointed out above, lifestyle is important to me. Hong Kong's lack of space, the crowded sidewalks, the rude behaviors (belching, spitting, etc.), the pollution... yuk!! I must admit Hong Kong has improved since SARS with the belching and spitting, but the pollution continues to worsen here. And if you aren't a mountain climber, you'll rarely see green grass, tall trees, and open spaces in Hong Kong. On a positive note, Hong Kong is full of life, a vibrant city, and Lan Kwai Fong is a hoot! I've already found some likes and dislikes about Singapore. Housing is cheaper but the government "rules" are a bit disconcerting. IE, when I ship my household goods there, I have to separate my DVDs,VCDs,VHS tapes, & CD's. I have to pay the Sing government S$20 per movie to view them to make sure I am not bringing in anything offensive to them. Also, should I decide to drive from Singapore to Malaysia, I must have at least 3/4 tank of gasoline in my car when I cross the border to leave Singapore or the Sing gov't will hit me with a S$500 fine. Also heard of a Qantas pilot who was jailed for two weeks for trying to bring in two adult movies from Malaysia. I'll save the rest... just use your imagination. I don't know if I am making a mistake or not, but I'm ready for the move. I have a 13-year old daughter and I understand from many people that it is much easier to raise kids in Singapore than in HK. Good luck with whatever choice you make.
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I agree 100% with you that it is much easier to raise kids in Singapore. And there is a safer city too. But otherwise, I dont agree to what you said about Hong Kong. I think you might have spent your 4 1/2 years here solely in Central.
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cd
20 yrs ago
To MissP,
disagree about HK not being a good place for teenagers, its great, lots to do, lots of freedom, far more than they would in the UK. My 16 year daughter loves it and doesn't want to return to England, not even for a holiday.
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cd
20 yrs ago
To MissP,
disagree about HK not being a good place for teenagers, its great, lots to do, lots of freedom, far more than they would in the UK. My 16 year daughter loves it and doesn't want to return to England, not even for a holiday.
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cd
20 yrs ago
To MissP,
disagree about HK not being a good place for teenagers, its great, lots to do, lots of freedom, far more than they would in the UK. My 16 year daughter loves it and doesn't want to return to England, not even for a holiday.
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