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[ESLMaster]

A question for you experienced HK experts out there!...

PART 1
Okay, before anyone says it, "I know this question is highly dependent on lifestyle" but what would be the "estimated" cost of living? INCLUDING:

Cell phone:
Internet Access at home:
Cable TV:
Electricity (AC pumping during the summer, haha ):
MTR passes:
Utilities (Water, gas, ect):


PART 2
Also, at the minimum pay scale....of 30,000(stipend included)
What could one expect to be the net pay (no pun intended) after taxes and insurance debits?

Thanks

[arju]

Re costs of living
mobile phones can vary recharge packs vary but generally $1 = 1 MIN local call time some deals are better, important to know that local phone calls are free, mobile phone calls cost both caller and receiver. If you use the mobile alot then monthly deals are better.
Electricity costs for a couple are generally arounf $500-$600 per month that has included using dehumidifier.
Water is cheap at around $150 per quater
Gas is cheap about $50 per month
Cable basic package is $298 but has very little mostly canto programs
to get hbo star movies cinemax is extra $120 per month
CAble will give you free internet for 1 year but you have to pay $30 per month for rental of broadband modem
MTR costs depend on where you are going you buy an octopus card for $50 and then put credit on it either at any mtr station or atms or at seven eleven stores, the octopus card can also be used to ride on the buses mini buses kcr railway buy goods at some shops eg 711 and soon to also be used in taxis. We generally use the mtr alot and so we use about $200 per week. To go across the harbour there is extra cost for the mtr but if you stay in kowloon or on the island then to go about 4 stations is around $11 you can check on the mtr website and it will give you costs and travel times for any station.
the buses are cheaper and the mini buses are a flat rate $3.50 up to $4.50 and go quickly.
DVD rentals are about $11 per night
hope this helps

[arju]

Hi again mistake for the costs of the mtr its cheaper calculate about $.80 per station.
yuo asked about tax the tax is paid at the end of the year so you save all the money get a tax notice by september and pay tax in 2 instal ments first in jan %90 and second 10% in march. the flat rate was 15% but last budget there were changes, if your married there are some allowances.
Health insurance is paid up front for the year. the gratuity that we get at the end of the contract will be about equal to the tax paid but we also get taxed on the gratuity.

hope that helps