Best Places for Expats to Live in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a city of contrasts: harbourside high-rises a short ferry ride from quiet, leafy hillside enclaves, and which side of that contrast you land on will shape how your move actually feels day to day. Two people relocating to the same city for the same job can end up with completely different experiences depending on whether they've picked a neighbourhood that suits them.

That's the part most moving guides skip past. Allied has assisted thousands of expat relocations to Hong Kong, and the neighbourhood choice is consistently one of the decisions people wish they'd spent more time on. To help, we've pulled together the factors worth weighing up, along with five neighbourhoods that consistently work well for expats.

• Choosing Where To Live In Hong Kong
• Affordability
• Proximity To Work And Education
• Transportation
• Lifestyle
• 5 Great Places In Hong Kong For Expats
• Mid-Levels
• Repulse Bay
• Happy Valley
• Kowloon Tong
• Jardine's Lookout
• Book Your International Move To Hong Kong

Hong Kong offers an exhilarating experience for those looking to live in this dynamic city, but with so many diverse neighbourhoods to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide where to settle down. Where you choose to live will depend on your specific circumstances and what you want out of your neighbourhood. Are you moving for work, or for a new experience? Or are you looking to move for your children's education?

Starting with your ideal neighbourhood is a helpful way to narrow down your search for the perfect home in Hong Kong. By establishing criteria that meet your needs, you can identify the areas that best suit you. To help guide your decision, here are some important factors to consider when choosing a place to live in Hong Kong.

Knowing where you can get the most out of your money is very important before you move to Hong Kong. Each neighbourhood has its own rental market, and prices shift regularly, so it's worth checking current listings on a property portal closer to your move date rather than relying on a figure that could be out of date.

As a general rule, the more central and sought-after the neighbourhood, the higher the rent. If somewhere like Jardine's Lookout is out of your budget but you love larger spaces and access to the inner city, Happy Valley could be a more affordable choice.

Access to your workplace is a necessary factor to consider when thinking of places to live in Hong Kong. If you don't want to live close to the heart of the city, choosing a place with access to public transport is very beneficial.

With many great international schools in Hong Kong, considering a neighbourhood that is close to these schools is significant if you're looking to move with your family. Whilst many suburbs have great public transport to these schools, if you're moving with children, it is worth checking travel time directly rather than relying on distance alone.

Being able to access all of what Hong Kong has to offer is crucial. Whilst having a car may seem more efficient, it is seen as more of an annoyance in Hong Kong due to traffic jams and expensive parking. So, it is best to take advantage of Hong Kong's fantastic public transport system.

If staying in the inner city isn't your scene, you can easily take the train, bus or a taxi to travel around. Hong Kong has a great public transport system, with the train being extremely efficient and accessible, and taxis being abundant and generally affordable.

Newly moving to Hong Kong, you will want to explore everything on offer. Each neighbourhood is unique in its activities and entertainment. Considering what neighbourhood best suits your lifestyle is very important before choosing a place to move to.

If you want a more social and lively experience in Hong Kong, staying closer to the heart of the city will better meet your needs. If you're looking for a slower way of life, or are moving with your family, consider a quieter neighbourhood such as Kowloon Tong.

Now that you've thought over the things you need to consider when choosing a place to live in Hong Kong, here are our recommendations on the suburbs and areas that are best for expats to move to.

With beautiful views of the harbour, Jardine's Lookout is a great option for your move to Hong Kong. This area is for those who want a quieter neighbourhood, but still want access to the busy life and culture, with a range of bus routes connecting the area to Central and Causeway Bay.

Jardine's Lookout is an attractive location with excellent amenities, including its own supermarket, post office and convenience stores. The area also boasts fantastic international schools, making it a great choice for families.

However, it's important to note that Jardine's Lookout is known for its high prices. If you have the budget, this neighbourhood may be the perfect fit for you, but be prepared to pay a premium. Despite the higher cost, many residents find that the convenience and quality of life in Jardine's Lookout make it a worthwhile investment.

Now that you know all the best places to live as an expat in Hong Kong, you are ready to book your move.

At Allied, we have the right experience in international moves to get you to Hong Kong safely, so starting your moving journey with us is the right choice. We have an expansive network of a multilingual team that will help you every step of the way, regardless of where in the world you are moving from.