Hong Kong, China Report of what it's like to live there - 02/12/25
Personal Experiences from Hong Kong, China
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
First family post overseas.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
Our R&R point is a small town in NY. Took 3 planes and around 24 hours. From Washington DC or other major airports it’ll be 2 flights. To HK from the US you fly 12-13 hours from SFO.
3. What years did you live here?
2022-2024.
4. How long have you lived here?
Two years.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Diplomatic mission
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
All housing units are apartments. The size varies from building to building and even within the building the sizes can vary. Most apartments are under 2500 sq/feet. We had one of the smaller units in Bamboo Grove approximately 1300 sq/ft. We are a family of four and had three bedrooms and two full baths.
Amenities also vary from building to building. Most apartments are on HK island but some there were a few others placed in Kowloon. Commutes are mostly under 15 minutes. Storage is limited within the apartments and if you have a back room it’s often the helper’s room. Keep in mind when bringing outdoor equipment or Christmas decorations.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
You can find everything you need in HK. However, there is a reason the COLA is 100%: everything is expensive. If you shop the markets you’ll save money. We average $400-500 groceries a week, but our kids weren’t adventurous with food. We rarely ate out as a family due to cost.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Nothing! You can find everything there. We did ship snacks to our DPO to save money.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Huge foodies seen here. Plus a ton of western options. McDonald’s, shake shack, five guys, Pizza Hut, KFC, etc. We used food panda and deliveroo for takeaway and used welcome and yuu app for grocery delivery.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
No insect issues in our house. However, there was black mold for sure in our house! The humidity here is no joke.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO and pouch if needed. Didn’t used local post outside amazon package delivered to are apartment. DPO took 10-14 days. Pouch two to three weeks.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Most expats are have helpers. They live with you or you have to pay for their housing. Typically you pay $800-1100/ month for a helper.
3. Do you feel that it is safe to walk, run or hike outside? Are there areas where bike riding is possible? What is the availability and safety of outdoor space for exercising? Are these easily accessible?
HK is a very outdoorsy city. There are a ton of hiking trails and running trails. However it’s extremely hilly therefore very difficult to bike. All trails are very safe and accessible.
4. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Expensive. Only worked out in our building.
5. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Credit cards are accepted at most businesses. Markets, taxis and local places cash only. You can also use your octopus card to pay for many items. Some people opened local accounts but we managed for 2 years without one. If you don’t I recommend a US bank that offer no international banking fees as we often needed cash.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
English is one of their official languages. Used apps to assist with language barriers for taxis and at local restaurants. I learned a few Cantonese phrases.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes!! Extremely hilly. Most sidewalks have stairs. Had a pram-aged child when we moved there and quickly purchased a child carrier. The MTR has elevators but can double you transit time waiting for it.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Very affordable and super safe. Less than $1 USD to get from my apartment to central. The double decker bus was my favorite mode of transport. All very safe!
2. What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
I don’t know anything about importing a car. They do drive on the right side of the road. We purchased a used car from an outgoing family for weekend trips to the beach and outlaying areas. You absolutely do not need a car.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Paid $80 USD/ month for reliable internet. Never had an issue or outage. We streamed on multiple devices and TVs without issue. Better than the US. Our social sponsor was kind to get it set up a week before our arrival.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
We used GoogleFi as our primary phone. For local used Birdie (eSIM) for a local number for my son’s school and local apps. My plan was $6/ month but I didn’t use the data just local calling.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Very very safe city!! Can’t stress this enough. I felt safer there than in the US.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Medical care was outstanding there. Elective surgeries were cheaper. Even emergency care was efficient and amazing. My son had emergency surgery and I know the US wouldn’t have treated him so well.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Air quality was good. We arrived at the end of Covid. Some moderate days but never noticed.
4. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
People have a hard time being so far away from family in the US a direct flight on Cathay from HK to NY is 16 hours.
5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
The climate is similar to Florida. Mild winters (does occasionally dip into the 50s and high 40s) and super hot and humid summers. The big difference is it’s humid year round.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
There are so many options for International Schools. We chose Stanford American School for our primaryp-aged child. HKIS is very popular within the consulate community.
2. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
There are many options for preschools. Some even have buses for 3+ year olds at your expense. In our experience they ran around $8k/ year for a half day five day a week program. Some offer afternoon programs again at an additional cost. Daycares are not a thing as most expats employ helpers.
3. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
So many local sports, activities and extracurriculars.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Giant expat community within and outside the consulate. Our building was its own separate community as we had many common areas for small children to play so we got to know everyone quickly. Think moving to NYC and everyone is spread out.
The Community Liaison Office (CLO) wasn’t super active so I didn’t hang out with many people outside my little bubble of younger kids that lived in our building. The morale was mixed. A few people curtailed, but when speaking to everyone this was a great post for many.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
There are so many things to do. If you have a hobby you can find someone to do it with you. I joined a mahjong group, did cooking classes and went hiking with other expats.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
All of the above.
4. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Highlights: the food is amazing. I had some of the best food I’ve had in my life there. The fact that I can take a drive 15 minutes outside the city and be on a beautiful beach was amazing. There was never a shortage of things to do. From Disneyland, hiking, beaches, junk boats, trips into other Asian countries just to name a few.
5. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
All of the islands and beaches.
6. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
We bought some local artwork.
7. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
The public transportation is amazing, clean and safe. Then driving or taking a 15 minute ride and your on the beach makes this city unique.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
I wish I would have known how common having a helper was. We didn’t employ one since I didn’t work as an EFM. I feel my kids had a harder time meeting friends since play dates are set up by the children’s helpers. It was more isolating being with my kids and our friends/ colleagues were out often.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes!! In a heartbeat!!
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
bicycle and heavy winter clothes.
4. But don't forget your:
sunscreen, bug spray, beach wear and sneakers.
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
The expatriots (book) (the TV show was trash)
Never enough (book) (about the milkshake murder)
