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Hong Kong

Pros and Cons of Living in Hong Kong

By Joshua Wood, LPC

Last updated on Jan 08, 2024

Summary: The pros of living in Hong Kong include its vibrant culture, excellent public transportation system, and world-class cuisine. Additionally, Hong Kong is a major financial hub and offers a wide range of job opportunities. On the other hand, the cost of living in Hong Kong is very high, and the city is densely populated, making it difficult to find affordable housing. Additionally, the air quality in Hong Kong is often poor due to the high levels of pollution.

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What are the pros and cons of living in Hong Kong?

Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Hong Kong responded:

"Expats and digital nomads often appreciate the vibrant energy of Hong Kong, with its bustling streets, diverse culture, and exciting nightlife. They also enjoy the convenience of the city's efficient public transportation system and the availability of international cuisine. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads may find the high cost of living and the lack of space in the city to be a challenge. Additionally, the air pollution and humidity can be a deterrent for some," said one expat in Hong Kong.

"I have lived in HK for 28 years. I've face discrimination mainly from local Hong Kong people. It is quite safe to live in HK until they started the protest in 2014 and again in 2019 which led now to passing the National Security Law. A lot of foreigners have left HK as well as local Chinese to go to the UK. Public Healthcare is almost free and very good. I have delivered two of my kids in Queen Mary Hospital and I couldn't recommend them enough for the quality of health care received from the doctors. Just don't expect compassion from the nurses and staff in the ward. They are very cold and soulless. School is terrible if you enroll in local/public school as the main language is Cantonese. The homework is overloaded and there is no sports/recreation subject. It's all very tough for young minds," remarked one expat in Hongkong.

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About the Author

Joshua Wood Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.

Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.

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