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DPChallenge Forums >> General Discussion >> Move to Hong Kong?
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04/25/2006 01:06:03 PM · #1
I know this is a bit of an oddball question, but there's such a great international community here I thought I might get some opinions.

My employer has given me the chance to transfer my job to Hong Kong. They are opening a new data center there and they need experienced people to run the place and train local hires. This would not be a temporary move, though if I wanted to come back to the US or Europe I could always apply for a transfer. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that this is not an assignment with an expiration date (i.e. come home in 6 months) but this is sell my house, move all my stuff, and if I want to come back it'll depend on there being a job opening back in the US.

I have never been to Hong Kong, or even any Asian city before, only all over North and South America and some travels in Europe. So that's why I need advice.

Other particulars to keep in mind:

* I am married, with a 1.5 year old son. My wife is adventureous, and interested, but at the same time nervous about such a drastic move.
* My salary would stay the same, but be paid in HKD. We currently live in a 4000 square foot house, which by my preliminary research doesn't much exist in HK. :) But we have also been very happy in a studio apartment in New York City.

I guess my main concerns, which I've not been able to really figure out from Internet research are cost-of-living, and what I call the 'outcast' factor.

My current salary is right around $100k a year. Converted to HKD what kind of lifestyle does that buy? (Hope that doesn't sound snobbish!) My current mortgage payment would seem to equal the rent on a ~1000 square foot apartment in Hong Kong Island. Is that roughly equivilent to New York City's Manhattan?

Second, how accepted are foreigners in HK? I know that English is an official language and all the signs and such are bilingual, but at the same time I have read that a lot of the people aren't fluent. Will I have trouble with daily activities like going to a restraunt, buying food, doctors, etc.?

Gah! Too many questions. If anyone has any experience they can share I'd be ever grateful.

---Andrew



Message edited by author 2006-04-25 13:06:17.
04/25/2006 01:10:31 PM · #2
I've lived in Hong Kong, for about 2 years, before the handover to China. I really loved it & had loads of fun. There is quite a nightlife (so my parents told me) & it's loads of fun for the kids. The schools are really good as well.

I would go out there & visit first to see if you get a good vibe.
04/25/2006 01:20:14 PM · #3
I ditto Rooster.
It's a big move to consider so I'm sure your company understand the need for you to really be sure.
Would they consider a business trip of any kind which would allow you to check out the city too?
04/25/2006 01:37:57 PM · #4
I did have some references to some cost of living adjustment calcs a while back (not sure if HK was there), so let me see if I can dig them out when I get home. Just be careful with these things because they make a LOT of assumptions.

I think it's fair to say that if you try and recreate a US lifestyle in HK then you would likely end up behind due to the extra expense but will do better if you change to more closely match the normal lifestyle there (e.g. Eat a lot of red meat? Might want to change that preference e.t.c.). There are a number of expat & retire early sites that could also help.

Obviously, you really need to visit the place before making that sort of commitment - maybe your employer will give you a 12 month option but even then you will be making big changes (selling, e.t.c.).

If you go remember to get the tax/retirement/health care/social security issues sorted - there is a lot in these once you have a dual life and very few companies have much of a clue. A number of these need to be set before you open the curtain there so to speak (don't under estimate this last part).
04/25/2006 02:40:33 PM · #5
I applied for a job out there but sadly wasn't successful (did get a free all expenses 4 day trip from it though)

I did some research before I went out and Llama island was a possibility for accomodation. It's a small island about a half hour commute by boat from HK. It's cheaper, less crowded and actually has an almost mediterainian feel to it. Worth a look if you do end up going out for a visit which I would say was necessary before making a descision.

Best of luck whatever your descision

Steve
04/25/2006 06:47:26 PM · #6
Thanks for the advice everyone.

I will try to see if I can go there for a few weeks before I make the commitment, but it is a bit of a chicken/egg situation. If I apply for the position, and I get it, then go visit and hate it, then I think that would look bad... On the other hand if I ask for a trip there and then come back and say "no thanks, I don't think I'll apply" then that would be even worse.

Robs, my company is a multi-national with probably a hundred ex-pats in a dozen or so countries, so I'm sure they'll help me sort it all out, but thanks for the reminder.

More general question - Are there any good ex-pat discussion forums, info sources, etc. on the net? I can probably find better info there, but quite honestly I've never even considered something like this before, and all my Google searches are turning up junk results.
04/25/2006 07:51:07 PM · #7
Try this link: //www.bigwhiteguy.com/

It's written by a Canadian living in Hong Kong. It's a pretty interesting read, and maybe you can email him...?

Message edited by author 2006-04-25 19:52:05.
04/25/2006 07:59:03 PM · #8
Originally posted by livitup:

Robs, my company is a multi-national with probably a hundred ex-pats in a dozen or so countries, so I'm sure they'll help me sort it all out, but thanks for the reminder.



So was my other halves and they missed a LOT of stuff because it did not matter to them (like the status of various types of retirement plans, wills, trusts e.t.c.). A fair bit of what they did provide was just plain wrong in some scenarios. :-)) While you would expect them to know, unfortunatly lack of understanding is not as uncommon as you would expect :-/
:-)

I will dig out what I have for that COL stuff later tonight....
05/19/2006 02:41:07 PM · #9
Hi,
do you happen to have found the info on the COLA? i'm being offered a position to transfer to our hk office and would like to know all the facts before negotiation on a fair salary.

any help would be much appreciated!!

Message edited by author 2006-05-19 15:04:31.
05/19/2006 03:36:56 PM · #10
Reading over your post, it seems like you have pointed out a lot of negatives and not positives to the move. That seems to indicate a bit of something to me.
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