Yep - I must agree. Since this is not directly industrial, I shall comment. I am a S/O with two kids and am absolutely struggling up here. As for an Amah - not a chance! I am able to get one in once every fortnight at best. To put the kids through a DECENT school costs alot of money and as I am a long way off promotion, it won't get any better. As for me, I'm heading back to Aussie if I get the chance. It's just not worth it up here. My neighbour is an F/O and he has one youngster. Although he's on better pay, he doesn't really find it much better. He also feels he can only afford a part time Amah - albeit once or twice a week. I see you're retired - no doubt an A scaler. Well, those rates made the job and living in HKG all that more bearable (i.e. some return on the pain) and were some recompense for being away from home. Some people will say 'sod off if you don't like it then!'. That's all well and good, but when faced with the current aviation scene back home, I made the decision to head overseas to a job all the shiny company pamphlets said was fantastic.