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Thinking of moving

Tue, 2003-04-08 06:02 — Kieran

Hi,

I've just applied for a teaching post in Hong Kong and the interview's in a fortnight. Typically, I'm now experiencing doubts about moving from the UK. (What a wimp!) Are there any other websites which would give me an idea of what life there is like, or give me basic info on things like rent prices, typical wages etc?

Cheers,

Kieran

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Wed, 2003-04-09 14:03 — mrb

Re:Thinking of moving

Hi Kieran,

I'm biased, but I'd say give it a go. Some people like it and end up staying "for maybe another year", and end up finding they've been here for ten or more. A fair number find themselves having enjoyed it, but looking forward to going home at the end of their 2-year contract.

I've only ever met one person that couldn't wait to leave. I worked with him, he was out here because his wife had been posted here. He had to have chips with every meal, hated Chinese food, didn't like foreign people, and spent his time here living in a little British bubble. If that sounds like you, you might not enjoy it either, but if it's just a case of butterflies I'd advise you to take the plunge.

I've relocated overseas three times, and have come to the conclusion that I should expect to get occasional attacks of feeling a bit lonely and miserable for the first three or four months, as it takes me a while to get settled in and make new friends.

Hopefully you've already found something useful at http://www.batgung.com, and you might also try http://www.asiaxpat.com.hk

For wages, a rough translation is that an HKD monthly salary is about the same value as an equivalent GBP annual salary (eg getting HKD30K a month is like getting GBP30K a year). Accomodation may be more expensive (though it's dropped a lot in the last six years), but you'll pay a lot less tax. I felt better off here on the same salary.

Any xpat teachers out there that can add some useful advice ?

MrB

Thu, 2003-04-10 15:11 — Anonymous

A couple more sites of interest

Hi Kieran;

I would second what Mr B has said (we Batgung think alike, of course!) but allow me to add a couple of websites you might find useful jumpoff points:

http://search.hk.com -- this one is a portal to some useful stuff, including some mailing lists

http://www.rckgm.org/archives/hklinks.htm -- from the Rotary Club; it's a very uncool page but has a lot of practical links

http://www.expatexchange.com -- loads of general expat advice here, with some HK specific stuff that's not too bad

That'll be more than enough to get started! Hope to hear from you again -- and maybe see you over here.

Mr T

Thu, 2003-05-01 03:31 — Kieran

Now moving

Hi,

Well, you persuaded me. I'll be starting work in Hong Kong in September. Obviously, if it all goes horribly wrong, I'm blaming you!

Kieran

Thu, 2003-05-01 11:35 — Anonymous

Re:Thinking of moving

Congratulations ! Write back after you've been here a while, and let us know how it's going.

MrB.

Fri, 2003-10-10 11:23 — mrb

Re:Thinking of moving

Hi Kieran,

If you're still reading, what is your opinion of life in HK after your first month here ?

Regards, MrB