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Living in Hong Kong:
Tips for Moving and Visiting

24 local experts
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If you've been wondering what it's like to live in or visit Hong Kong, the Crowdsourced Explorer community can help. We asked 24 people living in Hong Kong what someone who is considering moving to or visiting there should know. Here are their pros and cons, tips, and advice:

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24 comments on “Hong Kong”

Hong Kong is very convenient in terms of getting around. Go down your apartment building, grocery stores, malls and just everything you’ll need is there. No point getting your own car. Apartments are small compared to other countries so you can see how expensive this city is.

Helena, says: 2023

HK is rated as one of the top cities to do business. It’s just very expensive to live here, but there is a truly efficient mass transport system, low crime rate and great food!! People come from all over the world to work and live here but the locals don’t really speak English but still, somewhat friendly.

Petite Demeyere, says: 2023

Lovely modernized city in close range to the countryside with magnificent views.

It may sound like a cliche but Hong Kong is a wonderful east-meets-west cosmopolitan city. It helps as well that you can also make money quite easily. If you enjoy good food, great company and lots of nature, Hong Kong is for you. It’s also a gateway to China if you are interested in business opportunities there.

Timothy, says: 2020

If moving to Hong Kong, one should consider the political situation and the various protests being staged from time to time which might affect your daily schedule. It is essential to observe the changes in international relationships and the National Security Law. I am sure you can enjoy good weather and delicious foods here.

An octopus card is key to navigating Hong Kong, so obtaining one should be a priority upon arriving in the city. It can be easily purchased at any Mass Transit Railway or MTR station. While it is more commonly as a transportation payment method for the train or buses, an octopus card can be used for more than that. It is one of the more popular payment options in the city, widely used in shops and restaurants. It can even facilitate immediate fund transfers between users and vendors without going through a bank by binding the octopus card to a debit or credit account. Hong Kong residents even use their octopus cards to pay for utility and mobile phone bills by visiting a 7-11. Octopus cards can be personalized, enabling functions for certain users. While there are more common functions such as elderly or student discounts, more unique features have been gradually built into octopus cards as well. For example, newer housing estates have allowed residents to register their octopus cards as a form of building entry authorization, eliminating the need for residents to carry a separate entry card or key fob to enter their homes.

People moving to Hong Kong should learn colloquial Cantonese. With effective communication using Cantonese, they can shop in wet markets and buy exotic products from stalls. They can also taste delicious food in traditional Chinese restaurants if they know the names of the dishes. They can also communicate with their colleagues more effectively if they master colloquial Cantonese.

Hong kong is a part of PRC. It’s a cosmopolitan city with several nationalities living together. Knowledge of Cantonese will help in settling down easier and faster. Infrastructure is good. Cost of living is high. Houses are very small in area but, home rentals are one of the most expensive in the world.

Hong Kong is unique and international city. Despite it being part of China, many people in Hong Kong can understand English, thus it’s not necessary to learn Chinese. However, it would be beneficial to learn the local language. Hong Kong is also one of the most expensive cities in the world; make sure you are prepared to pay high rents and other high living expenses. Hong Kong is very convenient to travel to other nearby cities within East Asia.

Someone moving to Hong Kong should know about the living condition. Hong Kong is very crowded, most people live in high rise building. You may hear your neighbor shouting at their kids, singing in the shower etc. The rental price is also very expensive, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is HK$12,000!

Hong Kong is an amazing city. It has everything to offer. Food from all over the world, shopping, beautiful scenery, an efficient public transportation system, amazing hiking trails, skyscrapers, a happening nightlife, lovely beaches, the best parks. Such variety that life is never boring. Perfect for an obsessive photographer like myself. I particularly love the weather since I’m from the UK and it’s always cold!

Most people in Hong Kong are bilingual, in that they are able to converse in both Cantonese and English, either relatively well or fluently. However, it would be handy to carry a translator app just in case. There are a multitude of shops and restaurants which would cater to most people’s interests and tastes, especially if they have money to burn. and that, there are areas which are more off the beaten track for the more adventurous as well.

Hong Kong is far more expensive than you think. Even looking up “price of living” online can lead you to underestimating how much you’ll spend moving here, renting an apartment, and buying the essentials.

The high cost of living, particularly for housing/accommodation; political uncertainty; pollution mostly driven by factories over the border in China; extreme heat and humidity during summer (May to September); falling use of the English language particularly by younger age groups.

Hong Kong is a vibrant, warm and culturally-diverse city. It is also home to many successful businessmen and women coming from all over the world, making Hong Kong one of the busiest cities in the world. Even though we are a very small city, there are more than seven million people. Therefore, something to consider before moving here is the crowdedness. Despite its overwhelming population, you will be taken away by the city’s beauty and uniqueness.

English, despite being as one of the official languages here, is not that commonly used among the local grass-root communities. Much of the local culture is based on Cantonese, the local spoken language. knowing both Cantonese and English would certainly benefit foreigners from navigating in both the higher-end business worlds and in local communities.

Hong Kong is a very beautiful and global city. You can get around by not learning Chinese, as there are English signs everywhere and the local people can understand English. The taxes are among the lowest in the world. However, the cost of living can be very high. There is always something to do in Hong Kong, you could any activity within an hour’s travel.

Melanie, says: 2020

Our city is a special region of China, where most of residents are fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. We pride in skyscrapers alongside international and authentic cuisines. However, living expenses are rather high, and the current temperature. When moving to Hong Kong, it is imperative to have full research and be able to sustain financially in the long run.

1 The weather is important for people who intend to move to the city; 2. The career or business opportunities available to them should be taken into considerations; 3. The social circle is also essential to people who can establish and adapt new lifestyle by quickly gaining information and matters from people related to the same country origins already living in the city as well.

If someone moves to Hong Kong, he should think about what situation he will face in the new place. He need to think of the housing issue, the transportation issue, etc. Also, he need to think if the culture is one of the concern. There are also many to think.

Hong Kong is the Jade of the Orient, and for good reason. The sprawling skyline has a smorgasbord of international cuisine, engaging tourist attractions, and inimitable geological heritage sights. The cityscape drips with a luxurious charm that tempts you into moving in with the thriving expat community of ageless, ambitious thrill-seekers.

not mind being treated impolitely or that neighbours don’t speak much to one another because Hong Kong people tend not to interact with one another unless they have to. He/she might have to live in a cramped environment without much space to move around and might have to endure high rent. But Hong Kong people are mostly genuine and will offer a helping hand if someone needs it.

Hong Kong is one of the most culturally and geographically diverse cities in the world. Anyone who enjoys both commuting through a world-class city of skyscrapers and hiking through trails of a secluded island should consider moving to Hong Kong! The city is filled with people of diverse backgrounds from all over the world – at any given moment as you walk through the streets, you will hear a blend of Cantonese, Mandarin, and, not to mention, English in many accents. If you’re looking to be exposed to different cultures and experiences, moving to Hong Kong is one of the best options you can take!

Hong Kong is international city which you could explore different culture here. Beside, Hong Kong is a place to provide many opportunities for work. Last but not least, Hong Kong is a freedom city which you do not have to afraid that your speech or action will be monitored. Hong Kong is a great place.

Pragya, says: 2020

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Names of respondents may have been changed.

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