[Karen66]

Hi Guys
There's a chance that my husband will be offered a position in HK starting around October. We have a 7yo daughter and 5yo son and to be honest i'm totally petrified of the whole idea!
I need some reassurance that we'll be earning enough money to live as well as we do here in Canberra. We're in a leafy suburb, 5 mins from city centre, 4 beds and a pool, with a great network of family and friends.
While I realise the whole experience will be totally different I don't want our lifestyle to take a step backwards.
The move would be good for my husband's career and he is keen.
I feel like such a bad wife that I'm not being more enthusiastic about it.
He'll be on about A$230,000pa, working for a local government agency. It's not a lot more than what he's on here and we'll be losing my wage initially until i get everyone settled i can't even think about looking for work. I'm a journalist and i work 3 days a week.
Sorry about the long rambling note but any advice about where to live, what schools to think about, whether the increase in the cost of living will counter any increase in salary.
That and some words of encouragement that everything will be okay!
Cheers
Karen

[Whale]

Hi Karen

I was in the same boat this time last year. My husband was offered a job in HK and I was really uncertain about giving up my job and moving to foreign shores after enjoying a lovely lifestyle in Sydney.

Stuff to know about HK.
1) The public transport system is amazingly good and cheap. I have not come across better public transport anywhere else in the world.
2) The cost of living is cheaper than Australia (food, transport, entertainment etc. The only exception is accommodation). Also the tax rate is lower at only 15% so even if your husband is not earning much more than now, with the reduced tax rate, you will be better off.
3) HK is full of expats. You find them everywhere and will soon establish a new group of friends.
4) Education is a top priority to the locals. So most schools here are really good.
5) Most people have some english and almost everything you find is written in both english and chinese.
6) Domestic helpers a cheap and easy to obtain. If you have ever wanted someone to clean your house and cook you a meal, now is the time to enjoy it.

The downside is accommodation tends to be smaller. The further you move away from Central the bigger place you can get. But if you want to be close to the action, expect a shoe box. Also as you are coming from Canberra you might find the summers a bit warm and humid. Think Brisbane weather.

Having been here for a year, I can honestly say I love the place. There is no shortage of things to do and see. There are many more concerts and performances than even Sydney enjoyed. I have a new network of friends and am really enjoying not working. Also I can enjoy dinner for AUD$3, which is impossible in Sydney.

If you are concerned, talk to your husband about establishing a timetable. For example, I negotitated a 12 month HK trial. After 12 months if one or both of us were not enjoying HK, then we would move back to OZ. That 12 months is up and we are staying. It is a way of trying a different way of life, but still having an avenue for returning.

I hope this helped. Email me if you have any other questions.

[Karen66]

Hi Whale
Thanks for the reply, i would like to ask some more questions - how do i email you?
very confused about the cost of living ... we thought it was about 4 times what is was here ... have we miscalculated everything...
accomodation and schooling will be our big costs i think... looking at HK$180,000 a year for the two kids if we put them in the australian school i think..
where abouts do you live .... i've been told discovery bay is a nice place for families but have no idea... i think we'll all need a bit of space, fresh air and greenery if we can find it....hubby will be working in wan chai ...
again, thank you, nothing like the net for finding the kindness of complete strangers....
but yes, would love to ask more!
Cheers
Karen

[rani]

The Australian In'l school is Kowloon Tong and it will be a long commute for the kids from Discovery Bay. Have you tried any other schools?

Have a look through GeoExpat Moving Forums. The cost of living has been discussed a fair bit

http://www.geoexpat.com/forum/forum63.html

[saun-mom]

HI- we're in the same boat, but coming from the US. the previous posters are accurate, at least in our experience so far- It seems that while the apartments are quite expensive, and small, and old-seeming- most other things are considerably less than the US. (we were in the PHiladelphia area, so our cost of living was already higher than many areas). The ESF schools are supposed to be very good, and are much less expensive than the international schools. Do a google search on ESF vs international, or something along those lines to get other input. We chose not to be in Discovery Bay, as the commute was a bit long, and the only space for the kids in the ESF system was in Quarry Bay. (that's a downside, but workable) I'm also taking a bit of time off to settle everyone, then will go back to work, and if our calculations are accurate, we should be doing quite well. Good luck.