Hong Kong Feasibility

I've been on the internet for a really long time, trying to find a realtor that can help me. Any advice that members can provide would be greatly appreciated. My husband and I will be in SE Asia from mid October to mid November to explore some opportunities. As part of determining whether the opportunities are good ones, we are trying to determine where best to live in the region. There are many areas that we enjoy in the region; however, living there will be another matter. As part of our upcoming trip, we are trying to determine if it's feasible to live in Hong Kong. That is, we are trying to determine if we can have the quality of life and the level of accommodation that we are accustomed to in the US. To that end, we were hoping to work with a realtor to determine what we can get for our money in Hong Kong, as well as determine the proximity of western amenities to various communities. Any recommendations for a great realtor?

Thanks so much for the agent info, as well as for the link to centadata - interesting info, once I found the link for English.


We are actually looking to rent, not to buy just yet. We are comparing an opportunity in Singapore and one in Hong Kong. The one in Hong Kong has a housing allowance attached (I think it was HKD30,000 monthly). I'm trying to figure out how far that will go and considering how it compares with the scenario in Singapore.

Wow, HKD50,000! Is that fairly standard? The job is an executive level job opening offices in various countries. It would be great to have a resource that we can cite as a basis for negotiation! I'll start looking. Any ideas for a resource?

If we move to Hong Kong, I will be retiring, so I'll definitely need space to move around.

I think what it comes down to is what you are accustomed to. If you move to Hong Kong, you shouldn't expect (or want, for that matter) the same lifestyle as you have at home. I mean, if so, then you should question your motives for moving in the first place. To expect every place in the world to provide the same comforts as another is unrealistic in my opinion.


$30K HKD a month housing allowance is good for 2 people. I assume you have no kids etc coming along, and you sound like a fairly down to earth person, so you can easily find a place you will enjoy in Hong Kong with that sum of money. If you have a whole family, then $30k HKD would be very tight. You would have to end up living quite far away from the city centre in Yuen Long or the New Territories to find a space/community that you would find comfortable for your family.


Singapore is easier to live in than Hong Kong I think for Westerners. They speak better/more English, they have a bit more space, the housing isn't as ridiculous.. But I find Singapore to be quite boring. You really won't know until you come here.


I think aslong as you come with an open mind, no expectations, and are willing to explore a different part of the world, you will really enjoy it here. If you come here expecting a parallel dimension as wherever you are from, you might be in for a rude awakening.


Cheers,

Elsdon

Agree... I think PizzaAce may be a bit lightheaded from all the smog.

Thanks so much for everyone's input. We have booked a serviced apartment to park ourselves in for the week that we are in town. We've also found a realtor who was recommended by someone who was recommended by someone whom I had contacted at one of the agencies mentioned above. I can't even remember which one it was anymore - there was such a long trail of people before I found someone.