Cliff, yes some stuff is cheap as HKD is worth nothing except in US where it never changes.
Agreed, if I had just visited HK I would have a totally different perspective, you get absolutely no idea what it's like living in a place from a 1-2 week visit.
Cheers

711:

Well said. :D I remain guilty of more than one of your observations. Ironically though, I found your commentary a breath of fresh air...

Lifestyle..
 

airdualbleedfault

Need I say more? With respect, the question that some need to ask themselves is whether they would be able to afford acreage had it not been for their encounter with Hong Kong and all of its shortcomings.

We all know the pollution is bad but it has been for years. Those who came to Hong Kong within the last 10+ years should have been well aware of that and had they either chosen to bring their families or chosen to start a family in the intervening years then, arguably, they are in no position to criticize the place with respect to pollution. Instead, they should be questioning their own judgement. I simply refuse to believe that people were forced to come to Hong Kong because there were no alternative employment opportunities in their own countries.

Some have been very fortunate in that they have been made wealthy people courtesy of the Hong Kong property market and have been able to return to their home country on a basing, others less so.

As I said in my earlier post, if people really hate Hong Kong then they should sever their connection with the place - simple.

STP

While I definitely found the blog humorous, and have found myself thinking many of those same things, I was very happy to read 711's post. He or she is absolutely right, and sometimes all we need to do is look back a little in our history to find some of the very things we are so quick to complain about.

box

Steve, in my case, financially, my time in Asia was not that fruitful, we, like most other expats spent large amounts of money trying to make the place liveable, including large amounts of money getting out of the place for vacations.
Not saying we made no money but I certainly would have/could have enjoyed the time at home much more for the relatively small profit we left with.
Our property is nothing that anyone in our income bracket, in this country, could not afford, I am saying that had we not gone to asia for 5 years we would still enjoy the same lifestyle now.
As for the pollution, yes you are right, its all there in scary living colour on the internet, but I guess it's human nature to think " how bad can it be " or " I'll see for myself ". We gave the place a good go until our first child arrived and that's when I started really researching how bad the pollution is for us and the kids, after a few months we decided it was just not worth the risk. You could go through your whole life as a smoker and die only of old age, but it's not something I was willing to risk with our children, if they are stupid enough to smoke when they reach legal age then so be it, in the meantime I am responsible for their health.
All the best.

Good advice, I took it ;)

airdualbleedfault,

I admire you for knowing that the health of your children is way more important than the thickness of your wallet and acting accordingly.

Too many CX pilots put the mighty dollar ahead of everything including their children, their spouses and their colleagues.

airdualbleedfault

Like Oval, I applaud your decision to move your family away from Hong Kong. Just a query, and it's not intended to be pointed in any way, but are you still with the same employer (or wholly owned subsidiary thereof) that you were when you were in Hong Kong or have you "moved on"?

STP

"Here is the news at 7.30 with Heiling Chan. If you don't like it here, then you do not have to stay. Leave.... now... go on...Go! Tomorrow's pollution index will be very high... thank you. Goodnight"

I only wish that the rest of those who whinge and moan would do the same... :rolleyes:
Either that or get off their backsides and do something about it.

Steve, I moved on, let's just say that HK and the pollution were not the only things giving me the 5hits ;)

airdualbleedfault

Well done. Enjoy the acreage.

STP

STP
I totally agree with your points. Well said. Yes Canada is a beautiful Country, but try stating an opinion that is anything contrary to the "occupy"movement and the politically correct culture will quickly choke you 10 times faster than the pollution in HKG.

And if you are really concerned about your kids.....why would you put them into a public education system run by bat-****e crazy left-wing teachers, who are more concerned about their working conditions, and inculcating your kids with a perverted view of history regarding the evils of the west, than they are about educating them.

I like HKG....but having said that, my current salary and conditions are what keep me here. Could I live here on the current salary package being offered? Not a chance.