Hong Kong
Pros and Cons of Living in Hong Kong
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.
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," remarked 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," explained one expat in Hongkong.
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The TEFL Institute of IrelandThe TEFL Institute of Ireland operates under European standards of education, which are renowned and respected worldwide. Once you complete the course, you will receive a globally recognised certificate, which is a passport to teaching English worldwide and online. Teach English Online In Less Than 3 Weeks - Ditch the 9-5 job and start living life on your terms by teaching English online. Whether you want to travel the world or crave the flexibility of working from home, teaching online gives you the freedom you need.
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What do expats in Hong Kong appreciate most about the local culture?
"Expats in Hong Kong appreciate the city's vibrant energy and the unique blend of East and West cultures. They also enjoy the city's diverse food scene, with a variety of cuisines from all over the world. Additionally, expats appreciate the city's efficient public transportation system, which makes getting around easy and convenient. Furthermore, expats enjoy the city's many outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, and swimming, as well as its many cultural attractions, such as museums, galleries, and temples. Finally, expats appreciate the city's friendly and welcoming people, who are always willing to help out newcomers," said one person in Hong Kong.
"people are friendly and polite most of the time. Hong Kong is very clean in most respects (not the ocean or the air though), and is very safe. It has excellent public transport and english signage, and is easy to explore. I do live on Hong Kong island which is expat friendly though, and I am sure this is why it sometimes gets called "Asia lite"," remarked one expat in Hong Kong.
The TEFL Institute of Ireland operates under European standards of education, which are renowned and respected worldwide. Once you complete the course, you will receive a globally recognised certificate, which is a passport to teaching English worldwide and online. Teach English Online In Less Than 3 Weeks - Ditch the 9-5 job and start living life on your terms by teaching English online. Whether you want to travel the world or crave the flexibility of working from home, teaching online gives you the freedom you need.
The TEFL Institute of Ireland operates under European standards of education, which are renowned and respected worldwide. Once you complete the course, you will receive a globally recognised certificate, which is a passport to teaching English worldwide and online. Teach English Online In Less Than 3 Weeks - Ditch the 9-5 job and start living life on your terms by teaching English online. Whether you want to travel the world or crave the flexibility of working from home, teaching online gives you the freedom you need.
What do expats find most challenging?
"Expats in Hong Kong often find the local culture to be quite different from their own, which can be challenging to adjust to. The fast-paced lifestyle and the high cost of living can be difficult to get used to. Additionally, the language barrier can be a challenge, as English is not widely spoken in Hong Kong. Furthermore, the cultural norms and expectations can be difficult to understand, as they are quite different from those of other countries. Finally, the lack of personal space and the crowded public transportation can be overwhelming for expats," said one expat in Hong Kong.
"I am not overly fond of cantonese food (except dim sum), but there are so many eating options here it is not a problem. The lack of environmental awareness amongst most Hong Kongers is worrying. The obsession with conspicuous wealth, big shiny cars, designer brands etc is a bit much for someone like me who lives in shorts and thongs (flip flops), and owns one handbag of unknown brand! Local kids are hard to make friends with as they seem to always be at tutoring of some sort. The local education system is fundamentally flawed and very stressful I imagine," said a person living in Hong Kong.
About the Author
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.
Other Questions:
- How do I meet people in Hong Kong?
- What is life like as an expat in your area?
- Is there a lot of crime in Hong Kong?
- What do I need to know before retiring in Hong Kong?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Hong Kong accepting of differences?
- What are the schools in Hong Kong like?
- Is the cost of living in Hong Kong high?
- What advice do you have for expats having a baby in Hong Kong?
- What are healthcare services like in Hong Kong?
- Is the cost of living in Hong Kong high?
- What type of recreational facilities are in Hong Kong?
- What is the weather like in Hong Kong?
- Are there good restaurants in Hong Kong?
- Where will I buy groceries and do other shopping in Hong Kong?
- What are the visa & residency requirements in Hong Kong?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Hong Kong?
- What do I need to know when buying property in Hong Kong?
- Are foreigners allowed to own property in Hong Kong?
- What appliances are typically included in a rental?
