Where do you guys like living in HK?
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Hong Kong
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Basically, Hong Kong is a grave yard of broken dreams, misery and divorce.
Unless you've got a housing allowance of 50-100k HKD per month, it's going to end in tears. If you're lucky enough to have a decent housing package, you can be comfortable as an expat, and it might indeed turn out to be rewarding experience for a few years.
With a housing allowance in that region you can have a large apartment, suitable for a family, in DB, Mid Levels, Tung Chung, or a house in SaI Kung or Clearwater Bay. I would personally pick Sai Kung, with a house and a car if I were in that position.
The next problem is the education costs for the kids. It's insane.
Many of my colleagues have decamped to Phuket in the last several years, commuting to HKG, benefitting from the high salaries and housing allowance, whilst living in a location where everything is 75% cheaper. Excellent schools as well.
Unless you've got a housing allowance of 50-100k HKD per month, it's going to end in tears. If you're lucky enough to have a decent housing package, you can be comfortable as an expat, and it might indeed turn out to be rewarding experience for a few years.
With a housing allowance in that region you can have a large apartment, suitable for a family, in DB, Mid Levels, Tung Chung, or a house in SaI Kung or Clearwater Bay. I would personally pick Sai Kung, with a house and a car if I were in that position.
The next problem is the education costs for the kids. It's insane.
Many of my colleagues have decamped to Phuket in the last several years, commuting to HKG, benefitting from the high salaries and housing allowance, whilst living in a location where everything is 75% cheaper. Excellent schools as well.
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Rather insane situation where you have to live in a different country than the one you are employed in. Suggest perhaps CX management doesn't have a clue as to the actual living conditions/concerns of their aircrew. Or they simply don't care. Be so advised.
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Join Date: Dec 2013
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Basically, Hong Kong is a grave yard of broken dreams, misery and divorce.
Unless you've got a housing allowance of 50-100k HKD per month, it's going to end in tears. If you're lucky enough to have a decent housing package, you can be comfortable as an expat, and it might indeed turn out to be rewarding experience for a few years.
With a housing allowance in that region you can have a large apartment, suitable for a family, in DB, Mid Levels, Tung Chung, or a house in SaI Kung or Clearwater Bay. I would personally pick Sai Kung, with a house and a car if I were in that position.
The next problem is the education costs for the kids. It's insane.
Many of my colleagues have decamped to Phuket in the last several years, commuting to HKG, benefitting from the high salaries and housing allowance, whilst living in a location where everything is 75% cheaper. Excellent schools as well.
Unless you've got a housing allowance of 50-100k HKD per month, it's going to end in tears. If you're lucky enough to have a decent housing package, you can be comfortable as an expat, and it might indeed turn out to be rewarding experience for a few years.
With a housing allowance in that region you can have a large apartment, suitable for a family, in DB, Mid Levels, Tung Chung, or a house in SaI Kung or Clearwater Bay. I would personally pick Sai Kung, with a house and a car if I were in that position.
The next problem is the education costs for the kids. It's insane.
Many of my colleagues have decamped to Phuket in the last several years, commuting to HKG, benefitting from the high salaries and housing allowance, whilst living in a location where everything is 75% cheaper. Excellent schools as well.
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Hey thanks for that. Doesn't it take too long to go to the airport from these areas? And I suppose you need a car if you don't it to be too lengthy...?
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Thanks for the hints. I am not working for CX, I appreciate all kind of info and hints but I hope no offense is taken if I make my own decisions... Asking for practical info doesn't harm anybody I hope.
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Here is another option: https://saffron-marina.com/category/...oat-hong-kong/
Had a great time Central Mid-levels - 29th floor and apartment had good play park and pool. Great location to Peak walks etc.
however - our kids we not with us - don’t get me wrong, they loved to visit for Christmas, Sevens etc but they are now mid-twenties ;-)
from what I can gather from colleagues with kids requiring school was find a suitable school then decide where to live - unless you are very very wealthy - the cost of schooling or confirmed access to it will dictate where you live in HK.
Most places either have good access to ‘express’ airport buses - with Wi-fi - or ensure close to airport rail shuttle
however - our kids we not with us - don’t get me wrong, they loved to visit for Christmas, Sevens etc but they are now mid-twenties ;-)
from what I can gather from colleagues with kids requiring school was find a suitable school then decide where to live - unless you are very very wealthy - the cost of schooling or confirmed access to it will dictate where you live in HK.
Most places either have good access to ‘express’ airport buses - with Wi-fi - or ensure close to airport rail shuttle
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If you have to be at HKIA everyday, Sai Kung is probably a bit far.
Driving from Sai Kung to the airport takes about 45min and about 60min in morning traffic (this is based on driving the Shatin route).
As for owning a car:
I won't call it a luxury item per se. Almost everyone in the Sai Kung / Clear Water Bay / South Lantau area has one.
It is fairly cheap to buy any second hand car. Running it can be expensive though.
Fuel: HKD16 per litre. (About HKD120 for Sai Kung to HKIA and back.)
Parking: Average village parking (outside) is HKD1000 per month.
Parking at HKIA: HKD80 per day (there should be cheaper monthly deals though)
License: HKD7000 per year
MOT and service: (depends on model): ~HKD5000 per year.
Toll fees: Sai Kung to HKIA and back: HKD46 per trip.
As for renting in Sai Kung:
You can easily rent a 4 bedroom 2100sqft village house in a nice location and with good finishes for between 50 and 55K per month. (will normally include parking).
However, access to public transport might be limited, so you might need two cars if you use one to go to the airport everyday.
Driving from Sai Kung to the airport takes about 45min and about 60min in morning traffic (this is based on driving the Shatin route).
As for owning a car:
I won't call it a luxury item per se. Almost everyone in the Sai Kung / Clear Water Bay / South Lantau area has one.
It is fairly cheap to buy any second hand car. Running it can be expensive though.
Fuel: HKD16 per litre. (About HKD120 for Sai Kung to HKIA and back.)
Parking: Average village parking (outside) is HKD1000 per month.
Parking at HKIA: HKD80 per day (there should be cheaper monthly deals though)
License: HKD7000 per year
MOT and service: (depends on model): ~HKD5000 per year.
Toll fees: Sai Kung to HKIA and back: HKD46 per trip.
As for renting in Sai Kung:
You can easily rent a 4 bedroom 2100sqft village house in a nice location and with good finishes for between 50 and 55K per month. (will normally include parking).
However, access to public transport might be limited, so you might need two cars if you use one to go to the airport everyday.
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I worked for HAECO for a while and lived in DB. I had my own flat (single bloke), It cost me roughly 10k per month. That was 5 years ago though. I loved it there, 20 mins from central etc. After living there, I found myself back in London sharing with 6 people in Acton town. I'd advise anyone to choose carefully where they relocate. I had a great lifestyle in DB, but HAECO was sucking the soul out of me so I left. People complain about HK, and yes there are some major issues, but in comparison to London, its a utopia.
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If you have to be at HKIA everyday, Sai Kung is probably a bit far.
Driving from Sai Kung to the airport takes about 45min and about 60min in morning traffic (this is based on driving the Shatin route).
As for owning a car:
I won't call it a luxury item per se. Almost everyone in the Sai Kung / Clear Water Bay / South Lantau area has one.
It is fairly cheap to buy any second hand car. Running it can be expensive though.
Fuel: HKD16 per litre. (About HKD120 for Sai Kung to HKIA and back.)
Parking: Average village parking (outside) is HKD1000 per month.
Parking at HKIA: HKD80 per day (there should be cheaper monthly deals though)
License: HKD7000 per year
MOT and service: (depends on model): ~HKD5000 per year.
Toll fees: Sai Kung to HKIA and back: HKD46 per trip.
As for renting in Sai Kung:
You can easily rent a 4 bedroom 2100sqft village house in a nice location and with good finishes for between 50 and 55K per month. (will normally include parking).
However, access to public transport might be limited, so you might need two cars if you use one to go to the airport everyday.
Driving from Sai Kung to the airport takes about 45min and about 60min in morning traffic (this is based on driving the Shatin route).
As for owning a car:
I won't call it a luxury item per se. Almost everyone in the Sai Kung / Clear Water Bay / South Lantau area has one.
It is fairly cheap to buy any second hand car. Running it can be expensive though.
Fuel: HKD16 per litre. (About HKD120 for Sai Kung to HKIA and back.)
Parking: Average village parking (outside) is HKD1000 per month.
Parking at HKIA: HKD80 per day (there should be cheaper monthly deals though)
License: HKD7000 per year
MOT and service: (depends on model): ~HKD5000 per year.
Toll fees: Sai Kung to HKIA and back: HKD46 per trip.
As for renting in Sai Kung:
You can easily rent a 4 bedroom 2100sqft village house in a nice location and with good finishes for between 50 and 55K per month. (will normally include parking).
However, access to public transport might be limited, so you might need two cars if you use one to go to the airport everyday.
Join Date: Jan 2008
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And if anyone doubts the outrageous cost of anything real-estate related in HK, check this out. World record broken for selling price of a car parking space. $6M HK.
Ye, you read right, a car parking space...
https://homes.nine.com.au/2018/06/18...e-in-the-world
Ye, you read right, a car parking space...
https://homes.nine.com.au/2018/06/18...e-in-the-world
