Posted by
HayleyZhu
19 yrs ago
Hi there,
I am currently living in New Zealand, but wanting to move to HK by end of Feb. I have heard that living in HK is expensive, particularly when it comes to finding a shelter. I would like to know whether people actually share flats/apartments with others and if so, how much would it cost monthly.
I would also like to know as an indication how much money I would need to prepare before moving to HK.
Really appreciate your help!
Hayley
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http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/property/default.asp?type=2
this link will give you a general idea.
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Thanks a lot for the link.
Just a couple more questions, which suburb is considered cheap and yet, safe in HK? And where do most of the expats stay?
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Really depends on where you work as transportation means time and money. Expats are everywhere in HK. HK side is a little more safe than Kowloon (Mongkok, TST). But overall HK, Kowloon, NT are safe.
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Thank you for the prompt reply.
If you don't mind me asking, where are you from? And what made you decide to move to HK?
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Hey blah,
Are you from NZ too? If you are, where are you from?
Well, HK was really just a random choice of location. At the moment, I'm not really happy with my job and am looking for a new adventure. Most Kiwis do there OE in Europe (London), I wanted something different. So no, don't have the $$ in my view...
I've only been to HK once in the past, that was on my way to China, and I found the buzzing city amazing and full of things to do, places to go and people to meet. I guess that's why I've chosen HK.
I have been relatively spoiled in NZ. Living in the clean and peaceful Wellington with my own flat. I know moving anywhere else will be a challenge and a dramatic change in many ways. I must say I'm not fully prepared, but hoping the best.
Can you tell me why you don't like HK?
Cheers,
Hayley
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Hey Blah,
Thanks for the advise, I guess I've prepared myself for the disgusting part of HK, but I was certainly hoping that you'd say that HK is interesting.
I don't have a job waiting for me in HK, I thought I'd like to go there for an experience, so I'm open to suggestions of other places to do my OE. Where do you suggest? I don't like London though...
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hi blah..
iam just wondering why u are in hk still if u dont really like it..along with the local folks...
wat u say about the local folks are true..but its the culture...culture shock u have..
mandy
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Jaffa
19 yrs ago
Blah - Apart from the drinking, working, eating and sleeping, HK offers loads of other things and you don't have to be earning mega bucks to enjoy.
70% of HK is country park. Why not try mountain biking or hiking. Plently of people do this at weekends to get some fresh air and escape the concrete jungle.
Water ski-ing - farily affordable if done in groups of 4-5 people.
Climbing - Lions Rock
Junk trips to Lamma, Lantau and other outlying Islands.
paragliding etc etc.
Hong Kong is a great place and I'd recommend it to anyone. I arrived 5 years ago. I have my ups and downs, but generally I think HK is a great city.
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Hey Blah, thanks a lot for the advice you have given, and I understand where you're coming from, because I have lived in southern part of China when I was little.
In all honesty, I'm also going to HK hoping for better job opportunities and most of all an adventure. I don't like the job I do now and the weather in Wellington is getting really annoying. Eg, it's at the height of summer here, but temperature reaching a mere 17 degrees, with Typhoon like winds blasting...
When it comes to finding a job, I don't have a great advantage in NZ, whereas in HK, I may have a better chance, as I speak three different languages- English, Chinese & German. (Please tell me if I'm being naive here and I wouldn't have any advantages in HK at all...)
A suggestion to you Blah is you may want to consider taking holidays in mainland China or neighbouring countries. Because from what I have seen, China is an amazing country, vast, mysterious and beautiful. I'm sure there's plenty of places to explore in SE Asia.
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Hey Blah:I have been here for 15 years and I love it! Heaps of things to do, ice-hockey, soccer, volleyball,running, boating, hiking, you name it. The pollution is bad but go to any major centre and it is only marginally better. You are at the hub here to travel all over Asia. As far a culture goes, do you think you are so almighty righty that the things you do perhaps wouldn't be offensive to someone else? People are different where ever we go. Live and let live! Enjoy the place for all of it's splendor. If you can't find the good stuff....you aren't looking. There is absolutely no point living somewhere that brings you as little joy as you are experiencing now. Get up, pack your bags and find somewhere that brings you happiness, life is too short to sit and stew about someone else picking their nose!
Cheers
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Unfortunately I am getting to the age where keeping my gases to myself is a quite an effort!!! Hope you find happiness!
Cheers,
Nut
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The languages are a huge plus that you have over so many expat who find it very hard to get work here if they need sponsorship - you may have the appropriate visa but if you don't be careful because this is an expensive place to be without a job. It is nothing like NZ but thats half the reason for coming and it doesnt have to be forever so providing you are open to a new experience then HK does have a lot to offer, Blah obviously hasn't had a good experience but alot of people love it here or like it enough to want to stay for a few years.
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hayley,if you don't have residency in HK, as a new zealander you can actually get a working holiday visa. it lasts a year, you just have to change employers every 3 months. it means that you can come here without sponsership and work anywhere! have a look on the immigration department's website.
i personally love living here (i am also from nz) and find that there is heaps of things to do!
sorry i can't give you any kind of estimate as to how much money you would need as i had my job and accomodation arranged before i arrived so i didn't really need to worry about stuff like that.
good luck and i hope you make it here.
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Hi Michelle & Allynz
Thank you very much for your replies. I really appreciate your advise and encouragement. I've already received my working holiday visa and hoping to make a move by mid march.
I was wondering if there's like a group of NZer in HK, who hang out together. It would be great if I can get your contacts before arriving in HK, as it would be great to have someone to show me around... If this is not too much to ask... :)
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I would be happy to show you around, just message me when you arrive. Personally I spent the first 6 months absorbed in work, travel and getting settled and only now am I starting to broaden my circle of friends so I don't know if there is any NZ group but recently I attended an oriented.com eventing and it was quite good.
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