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Jmbf
Joined: 29 Jun 2014
Posts: 663
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 Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2016 11:17 am Post subject: Re: re: hmmmm |
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| Spelunker wrote: |
For that, why rent a one bedroom shoebox in Kowloon? If the OP has HKID, they can easily get a 1 or 2 year business visa for mainland china. Rent a more spacious apartment there for a fraction of the price in say Luohu or Futian, and take the KCR each day, at weekends eat cheaper in Shenzhen like the older hongkies do, cheaper massages as well. That's what I would do even if it meant getting up earlier, that or live somewhere like Cheung Chau. |
Well that's up to the OP's personal preferences. Some teachers live further out in the New Territories or outlying islands to get more space for their money. The downside is of course increased commuting times and less convenient access to western shops / bars / restaurants. As the OP is interested in HK, I would advise they spend their first contract period in town to experience all that HK has to offer (the buzz, the excitement, going out, all that jazz). It's harder to do that if you are living in an isolated village house a good hour or more from the city centre. Later on once they get acclimatised to HK then if they want to move further out of town then they can.
As for living in China and commuting to HK, yes some people do that but I personally wouldn't recommend it. For starters the cross-border commute for foreigners passing through Lowu can be hellish with queues up to an hour (I would know, I crossed the border several times per week for quite a few years). Depending on the location of your place in Shenzhen and your school in HK, you could easily be looking at a daily round-trip commute of 3-4 hours. Personally I'd rather use that wasted time to either increase my income / relax with friends / pursue hobbies / explore HK / whatever.
If you want to live in HK, live in HK. If you want to live in China, live in China. |
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Spelunker
Joined: 03 Nov 2013
Posts: 392
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| Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2016 3:16 pm Post subject: re: money matters to some... |
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| If you want to live in HK, live in HK. If you want to live in China, live in China. |
You like your free time to relax in HK....and that is fine.
But I much prefer the cheaper living costs in Shenzhen, even if it means getting up and crossing a border to get to HK (which is still a part of China anyway), so to me it's just a matter of currency and economics. Perfectly possible to live in Shenzhen and work in HK, just because I was working in HK, does not mean I have to like it or live there full time. But i understand your reasons behind staying there as you work there.
Cheers
sp |
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Jmbf
Joined: 29 Jun 2014
Posts: 663
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| Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2016 7:56 am Post subject: Re: re: money matters to some... |
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| Spelunker wrote: |
But I much prefer the cheaper living costs in Shenzhen, even if it means getting up and crossing a border to get to HK (which is still a part of China anyway), so to me it's just a matter of currency and economics. Perfectly possible to live in Shenzhen and work in HK, just because I was working in HK, does not mean I have to like it or live there full time. But i understand your reasons behind staying there as you work there.
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You've had experience of living in HK already, hence you are willing to explore the option of living in Shenzhen. I wouldn't recommend this route for a complete newbie to HK. Let them get their feet on the ground first, then they can consider alternatives.
I'll say again, don't underestimate the hassle of commuting regularly over the border. Popping over occasionally, on the weekend or on off-peak hours is one thing (especially for local HK Chinese who can go through much quicker than foreigners) but doing it twice daily can be a soul-crushing experience. I used to hate doing it. But don't just take it from me, some quotes from other expats who have done it (sourced from Geoexpat):
"Commuting from HK to SZ for work is a big hassle if you aren't Chinese. You have to queue up and get passport stamps, you'll probably need a new passport every couple of month."
"commuting from lo wu to hk is a not big hassle, it's a nightmare, too many people and queues are long"
"I live in shenzen and work in Hong Kong not by choice . The daily commute is exhausting now with so many mainland tourist . Queues can and are horrendous depending on time of day and holiday."
However, your proposal does make for an interesting thought experiment so I crunched some numbers.
From a quick google search the cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Shenzhen within decent commuting range of the border crossings (there are more than 1) ranges from 4,500 - 8,000 RMB. Let's go for the bottom of the range and say you can find a good one for 4,500 RMB. That's approx 5,200 HKD. Sounds reasonable until you figure in transport costs. From Lo Wu to Kowloon Tong (a good average location in Kowloon) a round-trip train ticket will cost you 80 HK per day. That's 1,600 HKD for a month. So we are looking at a total of 6,800 HKD already (not including transportation costs in Shenzhen). Considering that you can rent a whole floor of a village house (2 bedroom, approx 700 sq ft) in the New Territories for 8,000 - 9,000 HKD / month the savings don't look that substantial, especially considering the hassles involved.
The fact of the matter is that costs of living in Shenzhen have been increasing steadily and the cost difference between Shenzhen and parts of the New Territories is not as substantial as it was. If you really wanted to be frugal while enjoying what Shenzhen has to offer then a better solution would be living in the New Territories and popping over to Shenzhen for the weekends or evenings for your meals / massages / whatever. |
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Spelunker
Joined: 03 Nov 2013
Posts: 392
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| Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2016 2:25 pm Post subject: re: hmmmm |
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I suppose it is a case of swings and roundabouts.
As the OP is presumably female, her experience may well be different.
As a single western male, Shenzhen would be much more fun than trying to date demanding local HK women, and much cheaper beer and food as well. Again, working in HK, does not mean you have to live/spend money there....to each their own, personally I don't see HK as anything but a destination for work, it is not say Thailand for r and r, or Vietnam for cheap nights in a rowdy bia hoi. And that is fine. But I say again, to each their own. Thank you.
good luck,
sp |
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celta
Joined: 28 Aug 2011
Posts: 25
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| Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2016 12:17 pm Post subject: Re: re: good and bad... |
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| Spelunker wrote: |
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Now the bad....your half chinese appearance may go against you, parents at centres want the teachers to look white (whatever that means!), and the schools for which you are well qualified, overly so in a lot of cases, may also want a caucasian teacher. I would say try depending on how chinese you look, you will either get offers or you won't. Speaking some canto can only help, at least you will be able to haggle a bit, make yourself understood and so on....although you may not like what you hear, but generally using english is no problem. Go for it and good luck! |
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You sir, know what you are talking about! Do u know there r "native" english teachers in schools here who have strong french/italian/russian/spanish accents?!
the clowns in power wouldn't know a native accent from a north korean one. this place is so racist against asians, it's just unbelievable!
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Jmbf
Joined: 29 Jun 2014
Posts: 663
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| Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2016 8:57 am Post subject: Re: re: good and bad... |
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| celta wrote: |
You sir, know what you are talking about! Do u know there r "native" english teachers in schools here who have strong french/italian/russian/spanish accents?!
the clowns in power wouldn't know a native accent from a north korean one. this place is so racist against asians, it's just unbelievable!
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Unfortunately this is not unique to Hong Kong. In fact, I wouldn't say Hong Kong is any worse in this regard than many other countries. |
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lugubregondola
Joined: 01 Sep 2016
Posts: 92
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| Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 3:24 pm Post subject: |
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| why would the OP want to consider the NET scheme when she's a qualified UK teacher? She can earn more at an international school in HK I think with a proper package that includes flight, flight allowance, free accommodation in HK etc. You just get a housing allowance on the NET scheme. I think the NET schme prefer teachers with a BA in English than other subjects not sure. I have just sent off an application for a job at an EDF international school. Don'tknow how much they pay but it had better be over $60k USD a year plus free accommodation |
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Spelunker
Joined: 03 Nov 2013
Posts: 392
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| Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 3:54 pm Post subject: re: not sure |
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| Quote: |
| Don'tknow how much they pay but it had better be over $60k USD a year plus free accommodation |
Not sure. The days of high salaried packages for expats are long gone in H.K. I think you will be looking at anywhere from 25,000 to 50,000 a year, 60 may be possible. Good luck. |
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