CX/KA Crew - Tung Chung
 

Hi all,

I'm about to bite the bullet and relocate to HKG. I'm young, single and looking for an adventure and spent a lot of time on the decision.

The biggest thing for me right now is finding the right location. I've identified Tung Chung as my initial preference. Are there many CX/KA crew living in this location? I've read the older threads re crew locations in HKG but hoping to find something a little more updated.

Ideally I don't want to spend more than $20k on accommodation. Looking online, I can see 2 bedroom apartments in Tung Chung for less than that. I'm more looking at Tung Chung for the convenience of the commute to the airport rather than the nightlife. My understanding is that I can get into Central in 30 mins when I fancy a night out.

If there's better locations, I'm open to suggestions. Being around other crew in a similar situation without having the spend a large portion of my salary on rent is what I'm after, to keep it plain and simple.

Hope to see you soon in HKG!

It's not where hope goes to die. In fact, after living in SoHo, DB, Wan Chai, K-Town, and now TC, I prefer TC the most, but I have kids now--it's not crowded and there's plenty for them to do. To answer your first question, yes, many KA/CX/HX/HKE crew live in TC.

I know 30 minutes to Central sounds real, but it is not, unless you live in TC Crescent right on top of the station, and your night out is in IFC Mall, then maybe but that's still more like 45 minutes all-in. Also, if you like to pound a few when you go out, you won't want that commute back home whether by train (before 12:30am), taxi, or Uber. If you are workout warrior, and drinking is not your bag, then TC is pretty good for biking, hiking, and jogging. Also, you could try the midlevels and you can run up to the peak on your down time. If you are more interested in partying, then I would recommend SoHo or Wan Chai, you can get a place for $20k but it will be small. Now, small to you may be 1000sq ft in your home country. In those locations in HK, it's probably 170-230sq ft. As someone else suggested they are all easy access to MTR to AEX.

I assume you've done your research so you know that everything will be more expensive here, there's no shortcut around that, unless you're flying longhaul and doing your shopping in your overnights. So take advantage of HK and use it as a base to explore around Asia. There's also some really cool people here from all over the world, and it could be a really good spot to make lifelong friends. And if all else fails, if you drink enough, you'll never be alone here.

You can stay at the Headland hotel for $20k monthly rate, its right at CX city. It's convenient while you do your training. The food is revolting (you can eat at Tung Chung 5 mins away) but the room is good enough. from there you can go all over HK on your days off & make up your own mind, that's what we all did when we joined. I wouldn't spend too my time on this site before moving to HK either unless you want to turn up wishing you hadn't come (there will be plenty of time for that later). Good luck.

Please do not start out in TC, HK has so much more to offer. Live on the island somewhere between Soho and Kennedy Town, easy to use public transport will have you at the airport in less than an hour. Young and single it is a no brainer

Tung Chung has to be one of the most soulless and depressing places in the universe. Concrete jungle invaded regularly by hordes of mainland tourists. Avoid at all costs if you want to maintain your sanity.

I would say it isn't as good as this. And bizarrely, it's become quite pricey. Maybe out of the reach of COS18.

Appreciate all the feedback and insight guys. Definitely a lot of food for thought.

I had heard that TC was pretty quiet. My thinking was that if there was enough crew, it could have been manageable if everyone was in the same situation.

I've started now looking at Sheung Wan, Sai Ying Pun, Kennedy Town, Wan Chai etc. - as long as the commute to the airport is manageable.

I'll be over in HK mid May before relocating permanently so going to use the time to explore different areas and try get a feel for it.

Thanks again!

Your last post nails it - good areas for your time of life

As far as I'm concerned there is only one place to live in Hong Kong.
Within a five minute walk to an Island Line MTR station.

Still looking into this in more detail. I read on Cathay's website that there are staff/crew buses provided around HK Island. Is this correct?

If so, what's the frequency, location and cost of this service?

The secret is to get hold of their rosters, and try to stick to the pilots on long haul/ more stable fleets. A KA or Freighter crew is going to have such roster disruption that he's much more likely to turn up unexpectedly

Just for the blunts. You are on your own.