Job Discussion Forums

[japanman]

Hello,
I am new to this forum and was wondering if anyone has any ideas about my vague question. I want to know, what are the good points about living in Hong Kong?
I've been in Japan now for around six years and i'm thinking of moving on. Not quite yet but in a year or so. I took a trip to Hong Kong this year and had a great time. I know that a short trip and living are very different, my expereience of teaching in Thailand soon made that clear. So, I was wondering what are the common points that keep people in Hong Kong. Points that most ex-pats there would agree on. In Japan there are a few points that all would agree on. Maybe it's the same in Hong Kong too.
If anyone has any idaes it would be great to know.
Steve

[Roger]

I have just spent another weekend in Hong Kong and am glad for having done so!

What boosted my wellbeing was the different FEEL about the people on a SUNDAY off - a sharp contrast to what you see in mainland China!
There are 200'000 Filippinas and almost as many Indonesian domestic helpers that make this otherwise bustling but inhospitable urban desert colourful and humane.
It may be because these young women cannot afford to be consumers, so they congregate in public spaces (which is quite a nuisance in some parts of the city); what struck me the most though was the realisation that most of them attended church.
I don't know how you feel about this but I have noticed that people who submit to the schedule of a religion tend to carve out leisure time from their week more carefully; a Sunday is always a sort of holiday, which it isn't to Chinese on the mainland.

There also are a large number of interesting sites around the territory - think of car-free islands, lonely beaches, quiet country parks, a number of BUddhist pilgrimage spots and a few monasteries including a Trappist monastery without access to public roads (but accessible by ferry and on foot).

I always enjoyed running in one of the numerous parks anywhere; you find a few even on HK Island.

BUt I am not saying HK is my dream place - far from it! Those madding crowds, those rude boors that behave like cattle on board underground trains and when entering or exiting lifts...the unbelievable pollution, the dirty sea around HK...

[shmeagain]

Hey JM,

What I think the reasons would be that MOST people would have in common?

You have 250 000 (I think?) expats living in a city which has been under British rule for well over a hundred years. The only city in Asia I think?

So you get the obvious "East meets West" comments. You can interpret these two ways:

1) I don't have to change my lifestyle and can keep eating pasta and Californian cuisine and speak English and still have a feeling of being in another world.

2) I can easily integrate into another culture, take on the things I like and ignore the things I don't. Language is not a barrier and the local people understand me and accept me (within reason). When I get the feeling to behave like a westerner I can do so with little effort as most of the expats here do it anyway.

I chose number 2.

Depends on who you talk to. I've met people who have lived here 12 years and have never set foot in the New Territories ( I've heard stories from people who have met people who have been here 15 years and have never set foot on Kowloon, but that seems hard to believe - although I wouldn't be surprised).

You get a bigger mix of professions here - teachers are in the minority. Loads of Barclays guys and designers and and and...

Also more opportunities - ability and attitude count for more than quals and experience (as I've said before but I think it's a damn good insight into HK so I mentioned it again - and yes, you CAN quote me on that )

So why do most expat HK'ers like it?

I would go with:

1) The "buzz" - that which Roger hates I adore - admittedly in small doses which is why I live in the New Territories.

2) Western culture with a western feel to it and a seemless eastern acceptance and embrace of it - in certain areas.

3) "oh I love being able to get good cheese and wine - yipee!!!" - mostly comments from people here from China or Taiwan.

4) The rich and famous people - yes, I think it helps to live in a society where you see the "Bold and the Beautiful" walking side by side with you and you know you could achieve that too if you're that way inclined and motivated enough.

I don't think this is possible in China, Thailand and maybe Japan (never been to Japan so I'm talking through my neck here) which could be the attraction as well - the knowledge that if you should choose to stop teaching and hit out as an importer/exporter/designer/hairdresser/engineer you "could" make it.

You probably won't - but no-one said (directly or indirectly) that you're not allowed.

2 cents...out.

[japanman]

At the end of the day, i'm not into "making it" as such. I enjoy socialising, reading, music and being able to do what I want without someone telling me otherwise. Things that mke life in Japan so great. "Freedom" is a bit of an overused word but how does that concept go in Hong Kong?

[once again]

If your talking about personal day to day freedom of choice and living your life the way you want to..then HK is probalby one of the best places in the world for that.

[Henry_Cowell]

[once again]

"And with the average salary in Hong Kong standing at $10470, according to the Census and Statistics Department"


The above taken from the government website

[Roger]

[Horizontal Hero]

[once again]

A very fair point and a flaw in my observation