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Original poster

Has anyone ever lived in Hong Kong?

14 replies

Aero · 28/11/2005 22:55

Dh has come home and announced that they (his work) want him to go to China for a year.
I have just flat out said no way, but am just wondering if any wise mners had the experience of living in China and if so, is it possible for a foreigner like me who has no clue of the language or culture to be happy there for that length of time. I mean socially and for the kids too in school etc. Truly, I can't imagine it. Now if he'd said Australia, I'd have investigated further, but I just think China would be to culturally different for me. What do you reckon.
Also, I'd be worrying about leaving my sister here without me around locally to look out for her - she's had a difficult ride recently as some will know.

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compo · 28/11/2005 22:57

confused - are we talking about HK or China?!!

princesspeahead · 28/11/2005 22:57

Do you mean hong kong or do you mean china?

Two VERY different options IMO.

Hong Kong for a year on an expat package would be entertaining. China for a year might be hell on legs unless you were in shanghai and up for an adventure...

remind me how old your children are?

Original poster
Aero · 28/11/2005 22:59

That's what I said too!! He says China, but we'd live in HK!? Perhaps he means HK - he's easily confused!!I haven't looked at a globe recently, but I knew they were different! lol

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Original poster
Aero · 28/11/2005 23:03

He's a bit pissed tbh and can't give me a clear answer atm.

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Original poster
Aero · 28/11/2005 23:04

pph - Children are seven, five and almost two.

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Original poster
Aero · 28/11/2005 23:13

TBH, I think he's full of s**t right at this moment. Will ask him to clarify in the morning. I actually think he means China and I'm pretty sure that's a no-no from me. Can't imagine being happy so far away from home with no ability to communicate properly/easily with people.

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princesspeahead · 28/11/2005 23:16

they aren't different, hong kong is a part of china (post 1997). hk is an island and a bit of mainland, it is possible to live in HK and work in China. Is he in the electronics/high tech industries by any chance?

You can live very nicely in HK if you ensure that as part of the package your rent on a good sized apartment in a nice bit of HK is being paid. Plenty of british/american/international schools for your children to go to (fees, but v low comparatively and you can make that part of the package) with v good standards. They will be with lots of other expat and wealthier local children who all speak perfect english, learning in english, and your only risk is that your kids may come back with american accents if you send them to the american school. You can live perfectly happily in hong kong without speaking a word of cantonese and most expats do just that. You can have one or two amahs (maid/nannies) for a wage so low you are embarrassed not to be paying more, who will do ALL your cooking, laundry, childcare etc 18 hours a day, and it will suddenly dawn on you 6 months in that although there must BE a washing machine in your apartment, you don't know where it is.
Food is fantastic, weather is OK (but very humid and rains a lot for half the year) and you are within 4 hours flight of lots of excellent places to explore on holiday. Shopping goes without sayng. It is a good mixture of completely different culture but pretty accessible because it was british for so long.
Downsides - it is a pretty claustrophobic place inasmuch as you will work, school, socialise and live with the same group of people probably (but that is OK for a year), you are surrounded by sea and beaches but they are so filthy adn polluted that you can't really use them and you will be hard pressed to find a blade of grass if you live in Central (but there are masses of swimming pools, tennis courts, "country clubs" etc so your children will get masses of exercise), and cultural opportunities are limited to trips to the cinema!!

You should jump at the chance - good posting for a year and you'll all get a lot out of it.

Original poster
Aero · 28/11/2005 23:25

Sorry - meant that I knew HK was an island (though hadn't realised it had mainland), and knew it was no longer British. Actually, that does sound apealling for a year. I think I could cope. Parents would be horrifeid of course! Far too far away! Pph - that is an invaluable post and at least has made me think it would be worth at least considering.
Dd is struggling at school due to lonliness after her bf leaving last term, and the lack of a new special friendship is taking it's toll on her, so in terms of a new start in a whole new place where people speak our language sounds good. Ds1 and ds2 I'd have no real worries about as ds1 makes friends easily and ds2 is very young. I don't know, but at least now I will think about it rather than dismiss it. Thanks.

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Original poster
Aero · 28/11/2005 23:27

ps - he's a procurement concultant. Have no idea who he's be working with out there. He's also talking about Russia atm for work, but not to live there! I really ought to take more notice!

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Original poster
Aero · 28/11/2005 23:27

oops - meant consultant!

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princesspeahead · 28/11/2005 23:38

if he is working in china and living in HK he would probably (but not definitely) want to live in the New Territories (mainland bit) rather than Central (glitzy city center or elsewhere on the main island). Lantau is another possibility (more sparsely populated island, and where the new airport is).
Have a browse through this (there are links on the lhs with more info) and do a google or two to get an idea of the options. there are lots of hk expat related sites to have a look at.
I wouldn't live in russia if you paid me with small children!

QueenVictoria · 29/11/2005 00:37

My aunt lives out there for several months a year. She doesnt like it much but then she has to live with the ILS in a 1 bed 17th floor flat.

It would be a good experience for 6mths though i think.

My aunt found it better to learn cantonese to get by but its not necessary. She has a amah too. Make sure hubby doesnt pick up a concubine whilst out there too though

singaporesling · 29/11/2005 14:53

I live here now. I have a friend who's been out here for four years now moving back to the US. She's in tears...doesn't want to leave at all. You don't need to speak any Cantonese to live happily here. Expats who've settled here for 20 years still don't speak any. The lifestyle, if you can afford it or if you're on a solid expat package, is great. We've been localized (no school fees, no paid homeleave, no paid housing), so it's not as cushy a deal anymore but just the fact that I have two full-time live in helpers who keep my flat spic n span and are wonderful to my children makes it worth being out here. Not to mention the travel opps, good albeit expensive schools, great health care, myriad of activities available (lots of hiking trails, yoga & pilates studios, great fitness centres, great clubs (social clubs with pools, playrooms, tennis, etc).
Check out www.asiaxpat.com.hk.

Original poster
Aero · 29/11/2005 16:55

Singaporesling - that sounds great. Thanks. I will hopefully get a clearer picture of what dh was on about tonight - last night he was slightly worse for wear - lol.

lol QV!! He knows better than to dare!

Pph - thanks for that link - will look at it when I get a moment hopefully later this evening.

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