Batgung

First off I want to say this is a great site. I love your writing Mr. Tall. So thank you for all your effort. I know you have already helped me a great deal.

Second noob here so wanted to say hello to everyone. Hope all is well in HK.

I own my own business with all my clients in the US so as long as I have a good internet connection and dont mind working weird hours I am free to live where I want and HK is definitely in the top two, with Singapore.

And now for some question. I am doing lots of research but thought I would also put this out there and see what comes back to educate myself as well as I can before leaving.

I saw a poll on another expat site indicating that with the current economic issues in the US that about 40% thought the rents would drop by at least 30% in Hk and well over 60% by atleast 10-20% in the next 6 months. Is that just wishful thinkging or are their already indications of rentals beginning to drop. Sounds like wishful thinking to me. In my experience rentals usually do not drop that fast. For instance Miami, where I am currently has been in a terrible housing situation for a year now. While rents have definitely stabalized the benefit I found was there was room to negotiate if the landlord was cool but the prices have not dropped. Even 10% changes the picture a lot for me as I am looking for 10k to 12k in TST and a drop like that puts me possible into a small place in the Arch (currently 15k) which would rock. What a nice building.

Second question would be the friendliness of HK folks. Is it easy making friends there? I know that is a very general question that has a lot to do with personally disposition however any insight would be great. Do expats have do bar outings and the like. What about mingling with HK natives. Are they a general overall welcoming people or is their a general animosity towards all the foreigners etc?

Third: Cantonese. I took Mandarian for a semester in college well over a decade ago. Was not easy nor hard if I studied a lot. Is Cantonese more or less difficult in general? How long does it take to get the basics down and be able to read a street sign, understand what the cashier says for payment, etc? Again somewhat subjective so just experiences would be great.

Fourth: Anyone in TST (Tsim Sha Tsu)? I heard its a great balance between place with more local color, still some foreigners so you do not feel completely overwelmed. Lots of restaurants, bars and nightlife, etc. And the rents are like 30% to the island.

Well thanks in advance for insight for the above or anything you might share that you think is worth knowing. See ya in seven months HK.