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Living overseas

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HK; can you answer some queries pls?

11 replies

sleepdodger · 13/08/2012 13:09

My dream job just come up in Hk with existing company and pre Dc we (me and dh) would have jumped for it
I would be only earner unless dh could find a job there (less likely)
DS would be 21mo and we'd be there about a year so back in time for school here
I live Hk have been there for work alot, dh been twice on stop overs
We have a friend that lives there
Wed miss family and friends but only for a year
What do I need to think about? Are nurseries similar to here ie ratio of kids, legislation eyc should dh get a job
What's a typical rent for 2/3 bed place (I know places are tiny) I'd be working in harbor city
Friends live on lamma but not sure I could do ferry daily tho do like the vibe of the area- which areas would you recommend?
Is healthcare private and if so is it included in typical packages
What big things have I totally not thought of??
Salary would be about 650hkd I think, ad is vague
Thanks

OP posts:
laptopwieldingharpy · 13/08/2012 13:54

Rent will take up half of that.
A minimum for a 2 bed 800-1250sqft unit will be hkd$25,000/month ( thinking kennedy town/quarry bay or discovery bay)
Nurseries are not cheap.
What sort of job could your DH apply for?

sleepdodger · 13/08/2012 19:44

Thanks should have said there would be an allowance for overseas and accommodation contribution, but I don't know what so thanks for your guide as I can check it will be enough!
At the mo dh will prob take sabbatical or do uni course to retrain, part of reason for going is he's been in same job a whole and option to do other stuff limited so would use time to look at that
When you say nurseries expensive what kind of from to fig as a guide? Here I pay £860 ft a month
Thanks for your reply much appreciated Smile

OP posts:
RichManPoorManBeggarmanThief · 14/08/2012 03:39

Hi Sleepdodger

Assume you mean HK$650k pa, so around HK$50k pcm (post tax- 15% flat). I agree with Laptop that it'll be tight for a family. You won't be living the "typical" expat experience on that, largely due to cripplingly high rents (although your allowance might cover it depending on what you go for). However, the "typical" expats are becoming less typical and there are increasing numbers of westerners here without the whistles and bells packages of yore, and increasing numbers of westerners living in Kowloon and the new Territories, which are cheaper. Harbour City is in Kowloon, so if you were okay to live over there, rather than the island, that would save you some money. My sister lives at Prince Edward MTR- 500sq ft 2 bed in a local building, and pays HK$10k per month.

Re nurseries, just to clarify, nurseries like you have in the UK that open from 7am to 6pm and provide all day, 5 day a week care, basically don't exist. Most expat kids go to private pre-schools half days from age 3 (some do full days but it's rare), and maybe 2/3 half days from age 2, but FT "wrap around" daycare is aimed at low income local families and you wouldn't qualify. In terms of FT childcare, most people who work (and many who don't) have a helper, usually Filipino or indonesian, who lives in and looks after the children/does the housework etc. Min wage (incl food) is c HK$4.5k per month). My son is 23 mo now, and to give you an idea of his schedule, he goes to pre-school 2 afternoons a week and then does various other stuff like Gymboree music, mini soccer, gym class and then some helper play dates in our building. I work 3 days a week, so my helper takes him to most of these classes. Bear in mind that helpers have no formal childcare qualifications, so it's a very different model to the UK. However, it's also very affordable.

HTH

sleepdodger · 14/08/2012 07:30

Thanks richmanpoor I didn't realize that about child care do really appreciate your reply!
I have a call today to discuss many aspects so knowing all the above I will be aiming for full rental covered so my dh doesn't have to work ft Envy Wink without u being under financial pressure
The idea of the moe is to experience another place before DS enters into any formal education rather than to make money save etc
I know Hk geographically but had no ideas about where people cruelly live- I'm not bothered about being in an expat commune, and I'm certainly not in banking etc to have a luxury package so just wanted to strike the right balance of area affordability and mix of people
Is there anything you think I need to think about which isn't obvious?
Is healthcare all private, my research seems to suggest there are different levels and I wasn't sure what I'd need
Thanks

OP posts:
RichManPoorManBeggarmanThief · 15/08/2012 01:27

Most expats have some sort of medical cover, but the public/government hospitals are perfectly fine (basically like the NHS) and you can use them if you're a resident (which you would be, and your DH and DS can use them as your dependents). You have to pay but it's minimal (like about HK$50) In fact, if you get run over or something serious requiring A&E/ intensive care, your best bet is the public hospital as the private hospitals are more set up for day and elective surgery, maternity and minor injuries/outpatient services. You do have to pay to see a GP (or you can go to the minor illness dept. at the public hospital or the government clinics but there are long queues) but it's not insanely expensive so long as you avoid the celebrity ones (ha ha- not quite but there are a couple of practices which focus on the expat business where everyone has insurance and they are pricey). Also, your son can get vaccinations free at the government clinic but it would be on the HK schedule which is different from the UK one.

I would focus on the rent allowance and try to get at least some basic medical insurance so that you can see a GP and recharge it.

Where expats live: On the Island they are in most places, but especially mid-levels, Pok Fu Lam, Happy Valley, Peak and Southside (Stanley, Repulse Bay etc). In Kowloon they tend to be clustered around Kowloon Station and TST. NT- Clearwater Bay and Sai Kung are the main expat areas. There are also a fair few around Shatin because of the University and up on the Gold Coast where the new Harrow School is. Discovery Bay and Tung Chung (Lantau Island) are popular, as is Lamma and Park Island. HTH

sleepdodger · 15/08/2012 20:28

Thanks richmanpoor, have established rent would be covered and they determine sq foot I'd 'need' but could/would top up
Aside from rent is anything astronomical? Ie if I was earning approx 50k months after tax minimal rent on top that would allow a nice life at home, ie bills paid money to play, not after 5star just enjoyment levels as a family and enough to bribe help family come and see us (our flights covered)
Thanks
Best actually get the job now as getting excited haha! Grin

OP posts:
RichManPoorManBeggarmanThief · 16/08/2012 02:11

Food is expensive if you want to eat a western diet (e.g. dairy and meat imported from Australia rather than from China) or want organic food etc. Basic rule is that if Chinese people don't really eat it, it'll be expensive. This is also the case for western restaurants and especially the wine (many of the fine dining places really take the piss and arent all that compared to, say, London equivilents). However, there are also loads of places that aren't crazy expensive, especially Kowloon side. Dim sum is often really good and really reasonable, for example. You can also hunt down the happy hours in Soho.

It's also expensive to buy and run a car but a lot of expats don't have them (esp with one child) and you really dont need one- parking can be a PITA anyway. Public transport is very cheap and reliable and taxis are plentiful and very affordable.

Travel in the region is not as cheap as you'd think as not that many budget flight options but it's do-able if you avoid peak season. Bali and Phuket/ Koh Samui are the typical "beach" destinations from here but if you can deal with the transfers, the Philippines (Borocay etc) is a better bet as the flights are cheaper.

However, yes, on your salary you'd have a nice lifestyle, just not a Li Ka Shing one Grin. My sister lives here, earns HK$20k (she's single but has to pay her own rent) and has a good time.

laptopwieldingharpy · 16/08/2012 05:59

Great info richmman!

Yes $50k/month is plenty if you get an allowance towards housing.
All those enrichment activities for kids are pricey though.
So i'd say try and chose an area that is expat friendly enough so that organising playdates is easier.

OneLittleToddlingTerror · 17/08/2012 18:45

Not sure if you are reading this still. I'm not an expat, but a hk girl but left years ago. Harbour City is in Kowloon. Tsim Sha Tsui to be exact. On the Kowloon side, your best bet will be looking around the Kowloon Tong MTR around for accommodation. It's not expat central but there are a few foreign faces there because of the university. The areas around there are called Kowloon Tong and Yau Yat Chuen.

And yes yes to the foreign maid for childcare thing. It's been like this since I was little. Don't feel bad about it because every middle class would have used a live in maid. They don't have childcare training so it's good your DH can keep an eye on her at least initially.

Good luck.

sleepdodger · 17/08/2012 21:01

Ahhh thank you, I know Kowloon tst well for work just not for living
Noted maids or help are normal - what's the best way to find one?
Thanks

OP posts:
RichManPoorManBeggarmanThief · 18/08/2012 05:42

Re helpers, wait till you get here and get on the Hk moms and Hk helpers fb groups and get a recommendation. Personally I would always hire someone already in Hk but you can also hire from the Philippines using an agent- however usually means you don't meet them before you sign them . Bear in mind that legally, helpers have to live with you. Live out is illegal but a lot of people do it anyway. Up to you if you want to take the risk.

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