Island Of Dreams – How To Make The Move To Hong Kong
For many expatriates, or professionals moving around for work, the island of Hong Kong stands out as an iconic destination in Asia for expat living. Hong Kong is a Hub for international commerce and law; a gateway to the superpower of China – the city offers fantastic opportunities for both work and pleasure. The significant expat population means the city is uniquely prepared to cater for visitors from all over the world. However, there are still a few important things to look out for as you adapt to your new home.
The Housing Market Is Broad – Be Picky
One of the most well-known facts about life in Hong Kong is how insane the cost of living can be, even compared to other developed nations. The rent for an apartment in the city often reaches record setting levels despite the huge number of residential buildings which are forever under construction around the streets. It is possible to achieve cheaper accommodation for your stay by looking around off the island, but you’re giving up many of the advantages which lead people to Hong Kong in the first place.
Realistically, you should be able to find a good compromise if you’re persistent in shopping around. With so many apartments available in the city, you can eventually track down the right mix of space, facilities, quality and price. If your estate agent keeps showing you drab and awful buildings, you might need to assert yourself and insist you won’t settle for less – but the right apartment can be found.
Learn To Love Eating Out
Hong Kong is also famous for its vibrant nightlife and restaurant culture; a melting pot of international influences and high-class patronage means the city enjoys more than its fair share of Michelin-starred eateries alongside traditional street food and more affordable haunts. What prospective residents might not realize is the relatively poor quality of grocery shopping on offer, especially for those accustomed to foreign (read: non-Chinese) brands and products.
With high prices, the scarcity of familiar brands and the dubious quality of many Chinese food products, the smarter and easier option is to simply eat out for most of your meals. If you’re bringing a family though, especially a young one, this is a problem worthy of closer consideration.
H2 Job Prospects Are Good, But Narrow
Most expatriates from English-speaking nations work in the finance, property or legal sectors, so support for foreign jobseekers in these areas is good. Outside of those industries visitors may be disappointed to find how quickly a good knowledge of Cantonese or Mandarin becomes necessary to find work.
Perhaps this is why the majority of the 50,000 clients we move each year choose to make the move to Hong Kong only after getting a job offer there. Regardless of your reasons for moving or your work situation, though, we can provide the expertise to get you there swiftly and smoothly.
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