Job Discussion Forums

[jhp03319]

I am trying to determine how much money I will need for start up costs in Hong Kong? Does $5000 Canadian sound about right for first and last months rent, airfare, and money until I am paid?

Thanks for your help,
Jen

[Freddie_Unbelievable]

That will be tight. Usually you need 3 months rent. But, you can do a hotel stay for a few months until you have some cash. So, at least $1,000 for your hotel plus airfare and noodles. Yup, it can be done. (Bring more just in case!)

[Scott in HK]

Although I haven't checked the new NET contracts, when I started you could ask for up to 50K HK from your school as an advance.

Depending where you are teaching, you can look for service apts to cut down on the start up costs.

I know of a good one out in Tin Shui Wai. But that would only be of value if you are teaching out in that area of HK. Although I knew some NETs who made the trip down to the island. It is around an hour I think.

[Freddie_Unbelievable]

JPH will you be employed in the NET Scheme or working for a language institute?

You can borrow up to two months wage to be paid back within 6 month if you are in the scheme.

[Ludwig]

It all depends on how you want to live. Some months I only spend $10,000 (rent included); other months I go through $30,000.

You may need a tad more than that to initially set up. I had to put 6 month's rent down as a deposit on my flat ($7,500 x 6).

[sypanda5]

JPH,
as the other nets are saying, you can opt for a cash advance upon your arrival (up to two months salary). This will then be paid back (autmatically) through your pay for your first year (among 12 months). Although this helps immensely, some 03 NETS had a rEALLY HARD time getting the money when we arrived. Some NETS got it quickly, but others had lists of excuses from their schools why there was a delay...

You may or may not opt to stay in a hotel/serviced apartment in your first month here. (Most of us stayed in a hotel/serviced apartment upon arrival and then found a place within the first month). However, that first month is a big chunk of money if you need to pay for your initial rental stuff (2 months deposit and one month's rent...+ commission to the agency). the amount also depends on how cheap/expensive your place is....

(for my bank - hang seng bank, you also needed to deposit a chunk of money ....i forget now...maybe $3000hkd? or 5? to open an account....)

if you have money, i'd just bring it in case you need it..or in case your cash advance takes forever......

good luck!

[Freddie_Unbelievable]

"This will then be paid back (autmatically) through your pay for your first year (among 12 months)."

Spandax,

It's now 6 months due to absconders.

Ps- Your grammar is a bad as mine!

[sypanda5]

hey freddie..my grammar rocks!!!!!!! after all, i AM an ENGLISH TEACHER!!!!!!!! haha!

[foster]

>>jhp - $5000 Cdn is a good start. If you can get the advance it is a good idea. 2 months salary (minus living allowance) and it re-payable in 6 months, as Freddie said, due to people taking off without paying.

I can with about 400,000Yen ($4500CDN) plus another months salary waiting in the wings. I took the advance as well, as it helped with the $5000CDN Deposit I had to pay on my flat. I still have $30,000 of my advance as a safety net.

Start up costs depend so much on what you are looking for in terms of apartments and area.

Good luck!

[Champion...the wonderdog]

Someone mentioned the hotel in Tin Shui Wai. It's not bad. I pay $6500 a month and there's a direct shuttle bus to Tsim Sha Tsui, which costs $18 each way.

I've known people that lived HK side and travelled to Tin Shui Wai and Yuen Long.

There are regular and fast bus services to and out of here - 968 and the the 969.

Now, there's the KCR but it's jolly expensive.

The name of the hotel is Harbour Plaza Resort City.

In my search for a cheaper serviced suite apartment, this was the cheapest, however Chung King Mansions was a little cheaper!!! I wouldn't recommend there unless you like rats and crime.

[jhp03319]

Thanks for the help everyone, I really appreciate it.

Now for my next question. I have had the interview, and passed it. They said they were going to check my references and then any school that was interested in me would contactl me. That was a little over a month ago. I am getting a little concerned that my application has not made it any further. I have read a lot about the process, I know it takes a long time, but at this stage of the process, should I be concerned?

I have contacted the Bureau, but have yet to receive a response. Should I contact them again?

Thanks again,
Jen

[sypanda5]

hey jen,
i say it would hurt to contact them again. (they contacted you through email, right?) i remember i emailed back and forth with the EMB if i had any questions or problems. they were quite good at getting back to me quickly. try emailing them a "nice" letter just checking on the status of your application!
good luck!

[clover]

Jen,

It doesn't hurt to ring EMB from time to time. Find out who is handling your file-in my case, it was a very helpful person called Katherine. I phoned from time to time, asking about the status of my application. It doesn't hurt to reveal yourself as a person, rather than a name in a computer somewhere. Good luck.

[Ludwig]

[Champion...the wonderdog]