Korean Job Discussion Forums

Konglishman · Joined: 14 Sep 2007 Location: Nanjing

Which city has the best air quality in your opinion? Seoul or Hong Kong?

I am asking because I might take a job in Hong Kong. I have enough experience with Seoul to know what its like and be okay with it. However, I have never been to Hong Kong, but I have heard it has a lot of air pollution.

Kimchi Cowboy · Joined: 17 Sep 2006

HK air quality is worse for much of the year. Overall the weather is better, if a lot more humid, especially from April ~ October. It's also a lot more crowded.

But, it's smaller and easier / faster to get from point A to point B, and it's a lot faster to get to mountains for hiking or beaches for swimming, which you can do 8 ~10 months a year.

The social scene / night life is indisputably better, too - but it'll cost you more.

Have fun in HK!

ds_fan · Joined: 07 Apr 2008

cowboy, whats with your avatar, i assume it represents the americanisation of the world? pritty cool

BS.Dos. · Joined: 29 Mar 2007

^Banksy

victorology · Joined: 10 Sep 2007

The air quality in Hong Kong is worse than in Seoul. Whether you think the actual weather is better is a matter of perspective.

I suppose the deciding factor for me in taking a job in Hong Kong would be the housing. If I were to get decent housing, I would take the job in Hong Kong regardless of air quality.

articulate_ink · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 6:10 am Post subject:

I've taken a job in Hong Kong and am out of here in 50 days. The air quality's not great but it's not like, say, Beijing. Is it worse than here? Depends on the local topography. I live in Hwaseong and the air can be pretty vile (not unlike most other aspects of this city) so I don't anticipate much of a change. It'll probably be better. Choose your housing in a good location. Besides, the other quality-of-life improvements (First World supermarkets, people that don't behave like idiots when they see a white person, no banking restrictions, less overt xenophobic cluelessness [and government policies based on same], less disorganization, more international mindset, good tapas, warm weather year-round, proximity to interesting places, great Chinese food, lots more money than you're probably making right now, less stupid sloganeering, better shopping, fewer miserable isolated expats, better selection of wine, no tariffs on imported goods, etc) are enough that unless you're making crap wages you can afford to buy an air washer for your bedroom.