Expat Advice: Living in Hong Kong, Hong Kong
What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?
Hong Kong
How long have you lived there?
6 months
What activities, clubs and organizations would you recommend to newcomers to help them meet others?
AWA, YMCA, look for baby groups if you have young children.
In terms of religious, racial, economic and cultural diversity, are the people of this city or town diverse? Are they accepting of differences? Describe.
Most of the people living here are Chinese- something like 97%. We have found it hard to get into the local scene here. However the expat scene is very tight. All expats we have met have been very accepting of differences and open to new people. Language can be a barrier to getting to know local people. You can get around very easy just knowing English but you will have a harder time getting yourself in the local culture without knowing the language.
What are the main industries in this city? What types of career opportunities commonly exist? How do most people find new jobs?
All kinds of jobs. Most seem to be in the service and financial industries. I have heard it is hard to expats to get jobs here right now but I do think there are some website to help you along the way. Do some searches. jobsdb.com is one place to look.
If a friend of yours was thinking of moving to this city or town from far away, what other advice would you give them.
Try and get out and meet people as soon as you can. I think that makes a big difference in your settling into any country. I would also recommend taking a positive attitude. The crowds, pollution and lifestyle can wear you down over time. Look at it as an adventure and a life time experience and it will be!
Here is a list of potential items to bring:
PERSONAL H&B PRODUCTS:
Allergenic soap substitutes (for people with eczema etc)
Bug spray is available but expensive
Cosmetics – most imported cosmetics are double here. Some brands that you will recognize are actually formulated differently for the Asian completion.
Deodorant /anti perspiring – epically non-fragrance ones
Razors for men and women
Sanitary pads
Suntan lotion
Tampons
Vitamin E Cream
Vitamins/supplements
MEDICAL:
Advil or Ibuprofen
Anti-bacterial cream, antacid, etc.
Cold / flu medicines
First Aid equipment -like savlon spray or cream, sulpha powder, dressings etc
Prescription drugs.
CLOTHING:
Athletic socks
Diapers (disposable ones) are very expensive. Cloth ones not available.
Panty-hose
Pictures of clothes styles that you as tailors are quite reasonable
Shoes – casual, dress, and sport
Sports clothes
Swimwear
Underwear (ladies’ and men’s)
STATIONARY – PAPER:
Art supplies (i.e. construction paper, glitter, Popsicle sticks, and pipe cleaners)
Books
Christmas cards
Dictionaries
Lots of "busy" work – jigsaw puzzles, games
Photos of loved ones
School supplies
Stamps from your country (if you send things through company mail)
KITCHEN PRODUCTS/TOOLS:
Blender, food processor, mixer.
Chicken stock (local product has MSG)
Cocoa powder - very expensive
Coffee or Coffee Beans and grinder! (Starbuck’s due June 2000)
Comfort food (i.e. cereal, pasta, spices, fruit roll ups, etc.)
Fondue pot/equipment
Garbage bags for kitchen made of plastic net (as in Japan)
Coffee machine
Pans for baking cakes or cookie sheets/tins, and muffin tins
Poppy Seeds
Raclette machine
Seeds to grow one's own basil or other herbs
Sesame seeds
Some kitchenware like peeler, spatulas, thermometers and whisks Packet mix for casseroles and dips, etc
Vegetable shortening for baking is available here but quite expensive.
Weber Grill
CD ROMs
Printer cartridges
Full Size bath towels
Nice sheets/linen
Moving to Hong Kong soon?
More Expat Advice about Living in Hong Kong
Write a Comment about this Expat Report
Comments about this Report
guestHaving lived in Hong Kong for 5 years, I find this article nowhere near hitting the mark in terms of good info for expats. If you ate a non- asian , it is difficult to find larger shoe sizes undies and women's clothes made for a european figure.However, you can shomp Marks and Spencers and J & M easily. The only food stuffs almost impossible to get are: Heinz 57 steak sauce Mexican flour and corn tortillas BUT, ingratiate yourself to a local restaurant and they will let you buy from them, what you are missing. From the content of the writers' list he/she must have lived in Hong Kong decades ago.Or is so out of touch with the city they didn't explore what was available to them. Hong Kong is a fabulous place to live.Had we known how family oriented the city was, we would have raised our family here instead of the US. I was raised a country girl and could never imagine loving a big city.Hong Kong is a dream come true. Try it, keep an open mind, develope friendship outside of yhe expat community, you will love it!
