Low salary - 17,500



ORIGINAL POST
Posted by katontour 16 yrs ago
Im sorry if this question has been asked a thousand times but I am just looking for some advice whilst considering a move to HK.


I have been offered a job for 17,500 HKD but no housing allowance - I would be looking to live in the new territories and am not fussy about sharing.


Is this a reasonable amount to live on for a year, considering I am single with few outgoings. I enjoy socialising but am not looking to live a decadent lifestyle but would need to set a little aside each month. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. thanks.

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COMMENTS
katontour 16 yrs ago
Sorry - that is 17.500 a month.....

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mary11 16 yrs ago
It is possible but tight with 17500. Housing in HK is very expensive, thats the key issue here, everything else there are economic solutions. You should first look for housing, get a clear idea and then move on in your decision. If you consider living on the outlying islands, like Lamma Island or MuiWo in Lantau Island you can find at 5000 a small appartment if your working hours permit to take the ferry.

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deliran 16 yrs ago
In the past I received permission from the Immigration dep't to work part-time in addition to the full-time job that sponsored my work visa. It just required written permission from my full-time employer, the job offer from the part-time employer and a couple trips to the Immigration dep't. It was not that big of a deal actually.

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katontour 16 yrs ago
Thanks for the replies guys! I have been told to expect to pay 4000 for an apartment including bills, so am gaining a clearer idea of what to budget for. With regards to part time work, its a possibility but not really something i would prefer to have to do! I am not that young (28) but am still looking to experience a different way of life for a year or so. Still thinking about it and thanks for the info.

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miguelito 16 yrs ago
despite the tough economy, learning centers and especially schools are still willing to pay for teachers so $17.5k is low-balling in many cases and I believe you should negotiate upwards. Some of the more reputable centers start from $20k and up. Some of my friends teaching in local schools get $25k+ AND housing allowance and they don't even have experience nor teaching degrees. don't sell yourself short, it's too expensive and you're too valuable.

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katontour 16 yrs ago
Thanks for the info - I do feel its a little low, but am struggling to find any other jobs - does anyone know any good websites? Thanks guys

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katontour 16 yrs ago
I am looking for teaching work, preferably with younger children - I do not hold BEd but do hold a degree with TEFL and 2+ years experience. Furthermore, I have been offered a position that is paying 19,000HKD with and apartment provided for 5000HKD, effectively leaving me with 14000 a month to live on and hopefully save alittle - am I on the right tracks here? Or do i risk the possibility of living like a hermit on dried noodles?

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Mantorok 16 yrs ago
To say that it would be tight is nonsense. I live in Sha Tin (NT). You'd be making more than me, and I put $8000 in the bank every month.


Living in the New Territories cuts your costs by %50, I'd reckon.

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Hope Crystal 15 yrs ago
Oh well, u did not mentioned what is your profession? or job this time? but lets focus to your question, your salary is very high already, if you are woman oh well u need to be simple not sociable or else u cant save, and if u are a man u said u are single, well u need a woman sometimes however u have to be wise and minimize to spend for her if u have so maybe u can still save, maybe get a flat worth cheaper there are flat which is reasonable rent and with 3 bedrooms then u can save.. i dont know your job so if u mentioned then i maybe able to tell you whether you are underpaid or not... you are one of lucky person if u have this much... a front desk officer in mandarin are earning hk7,000 per month.. that is hard job for them and of course they look so professional in there attire but wages is too low.

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Hope Crystal 15 yrs ago
there are flat in outlying islands cost like hk4,000 with 3 bedrooms kitchen 2 bathrooms..and a nice balcony.

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ilu 15 yrs ago
if u can get a job in public school, i reckon u can get paid like 20 or 25K up....plus house allowance and all....i have a friend just resigned from a public school lately, tho not sure whats the paid like....but u can search around u mite find the ads look for native english teacher (plus u have 2 year exp), less than 20k is not acceptable. im not so sure abt teaching job websites but u can try to contact the mmigration see if they know any or go search public schools in hk and send they your resume...that should help i hope.....or u can try this website not sure abt they have any teaching jobs (www.jobsdb.com), good luck, if u need more help, let me know see if i can ask around for ya

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Chennessy1 15 yrs ago
3 days a week. Wow. Would that be a full day? e.g. 8 teaching hours?

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Loyd Grossman is Miss Venezuela 15 yrs ago
If this is the career path you want, I would advise the following. Come to HK as people are keen to learn here which means teaching is so much better than other places - though you can't get away with being sloppy. Secondly, try to upgrade your qualifications so you can apply for a Native English Teacher ('NET') post from the HK government - which pays quite well. I think you will need a BEd or degree in English/TEFL - or Applied Linguistics - plus a PGCE in the same subject (check with HK government). If you live in the New Territories, you will need around HK$6,000 for a nice small flat for yourself (excluding bills). You can go cheaper but don't expect too much. Travel can be expensive so make sure you live close to where you work. The salary is high by local standards but poor compared to most expats. If you stay in HK for 7 years you can get residency. You will be entitlted to apply for public housing if you stay that long however, you will need to earn a lot less to qualify. In some ways, 17,500 is a real bummer. It's not enough to save for your place and too much to qualify for govt housing. So if teaching is for you, come to HK, upgrade your qualifications with a view to getting a better paying job.

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Studio1 14 yrs ago
Move. Once you are here you can look for higher paying work.

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S.Kan 14 yrs ago
"AND housing allowance and they don't even have experience nor teaching degrees".

This is simply not true. To work for the EDB, a teacher, even primary teacher, must have the right credentials. In other words, be a real teacher, not some halfwit who can simply speak English and get away with it- those days are over.

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rocky 24 13 yrs ago
have been teaching english in Hong Kong for 3 years. I have worked mostly in kindergartens, had a short stint in a language centre and done some tutoring jobs too.


JUST THIS WEEK i found the invoice from my kindergarten to my teaching agency.


$1600hk per day

=$200hk per hour


the income i generate on my own is


=$32,000hk per month


However my teaching agency (teacher supply company) only pays me


$900hk per day

=$112.5hk per hour


the income i receive per month


=$17,920hk per month


My agency takes a cut of


$14,080 every month

=$140,800 per year (10 months/40 weeks)


This is the most useful/up to date/un-biased info u will find on the web about what kindergartens are willing to pay for a native english teacher right now in 2012. $200/per hour its a modest total but hard to get your hands on it with all the greedy agencies out there.


P.M if ur interested to know what agency im talking about.

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