Job Discussion Forums

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Hong Kong always seems to rate in the top 10 of the world's most expensive cities.

For those considering HK as a teaching destination:

1) What is the minimum livable salary (and bennies) for an unmarried, experienced EFL or content teacher who practices a modest lifestyle? What about a married couple on one teacher's income?

2) How much should teachers new to HK budget for startup costs (e.g., visa fees, flights, initial lodging, ground transportation, etc.)?

Jmbf · Joined: 29 Jun 2014 Posts: 663

This is very subjective but I'd say to have your own place in a reasonable location, have enough for a modest lifestyle and have a bit left over for savings you'd need to be on at least HKD 25,000 / month (for one).

If you are looking at simply survivability, I'd say you could 'get by' on HKD 15,000 / month or so but that would be a very very basic lifestyle in shared accommodation.

Initial expenses can vary a lot depending on whether you are willing to flat share. I'd say anywhere from HKD 10,000 to HKD 50,000.