Anyone a SAHM/W in Hong Kong

[LemonLimeTonic]

DH and I are in the process of negotiating a move to Hong Kong (from the UK.) It is still 50/50 whether my work will transfer me. I've never not worked and am concerned if I don't, I'll be bored. We're currently TTC but with little luck.

Any one a stay at home wife in Hong Kong. What can I expect and how do you fill your days?

So much to do I don't know where to start!
It is a work hard play hard sort of place.
It is also a city perfectly nice for ladies who like to shop and lunch or those who enjoy training for triathlons and 100km night races througg the hiking trails.
It is a stunning natural site and vibrant urban environment all in one.
You can have it all and will not be bored for a second one way or the other!

I've been in HK 9 years. I was a childless trailing spouse for a year, had DS, went back to work when he was 15 months. Now 2 DC and work 4 days a week in banking/finance. I moved to HK in a similar position to you, basically. So here goes......

There are a lot of non-working women in HK amongst the expat population, albeit most of them have children or are older (i.e, empty nesters). There are not many childless expat women who don't work (other than for a few months on arrival etc) who don't have kids. It's an expensive city and DINKY makes a lot of sense. Also, whether you can adapt to that life kind of depends on you and what sort of person you are. I enjoyed it superficially (finally sorted out my serve) but also constantly had the nagging feeling that life was passing me by a little. Add to that the "OMG what if I never get pregnant!!" stress, and I felt in a rut.

You can always find stuff to fill your days (exercise, volunteer, learn mandarin, dragon boat, Crossfit, play mahjong if you're really desperate )but it's not like you need to not work to do those things -working people do all of them - HK's best female trail racer works for a hedge fund and has 3 kids so it's not like you can't do that stuff and work.

What do you do for a job? Even if you don't get a transfer it may be easy to pick something up locally. Dependent spouses do not need a work visa which makes things a lot easier.

I'm in HK.
I work. One DS. No full time help.
I suspect those high achieving women have full time help to let them take part in all the exercise that they do.

Yes, there is so much to do in hk. I have friends in all walks of life. From nannies to ladies who lunch with drivers, full time staff and tennis coaches...

I find that the type A personalities who don't work are the ones who are endlessly bickering and arguing over the small stuff. Bossing the helper around and being bored and frustrated. And hk is FULL of type A personalities!

Why don't you join the Facebook group Hong Kong Moms. You don't need to be a mum. Hk is great for networking and you'll soon find places to go and people to meet for coffee. I met a new friend on the tram! Be brave and start a conversation. Follow up when you swap phone numbers. Get a phone asap. We use whatsapp.
Also got my job by word of mouth. Just chatting to a stall holder at an Xmas fair. She gave me a contact. Hk expats are great information swappers.

Give yourself time. It will happen. Good luck!

Join the American Women's Club. They do an introduction thing every couple of months. Foon Ying. It's basically three events for new members where you get together and go on three mini outings with a long term member acting as a guide. It's a quick way to meet a few people and if you're lucky, you might click with some of them. They also have a bunch of societies, activities, events etc.

I'd explore all avenues for work in your current field, plus think about anything else you would like to do/might be able to do in HK. Even if you don't work initially, getting the groundwork done while you are motivated will stand you in good stead in the future.