[Anya]

Just discovered this great site and it brought back some very fond memories! I was seconded to HK in 90-91 (as a young 21 yo!)and I lived in Grand Plaza apartments (adjacent to Tai Koo Shing stn, in Quarry Bay).


I now live (and work) in Dubai with my husband and kids. We have lived here for over a decade and our feet were beginning to itch, so thought I'd check out HK - job prospects, salaries and general living conditions. Suffice to say, after what I've read on this very informative site, we've decided to stay put!

In 1991, I was paid 9000 a month plus accommodation and travel allowance. Which wasn't too bad. What are investment bankers(highly qualified and experienced) now paid there?

I thought rentals were crazy in Dubai (I pay about 13500pmfor a huuuge 2 bed room luxury apt- 1500 sft), but what I read about HK rentals simply amazes and horrifies me!

I figured out that if we were to have the same quality of life and save as much as we do here (about 75-85% of income), we would have to make the equivalent of HKD 3.5-4 mio I am assuming I'd have to pay HKD 40k for rent, 20k for general living expenses (includes international schooling for 2 school age children).

Are these salaries common for IB in Hong Kong or am I dreaming?

Cheers
Anya

[KnowItAll]

depends what you do in IB and who you do it for.

Have heard some pretty spectacular stories about Goldman Sach's employees .. at the same time, I've heard some horror stories from some third tier IBs.

[Anya]

Hey KIA!

Corporate Finance/Debt origination........looking at Sachs, Lehman....

But teh accomodation is putting us off !

Could you give me an idea of general cost of living...monthly expenses, basics - food bills, utilities, school fees etc...

Thanks!
Thanks.

[howard_roark]

Originally Posted by Anya

Hey KIA!

Corporate Finance/Debt origination........looking at Sachs, Lehman....

But teh accomodation is putting us off !

Could you give me an idea of general cost of living...monthly expenses, basics - food bills, utilities, school fees etc...

Thanks!
Thanks.

You will be alright then - in most cases the bank takes care of the accomodation - why you worry?

[Anya]

Originally Posted by howard_roark

why you worry?

That's in my nature

Could you give me a break up of cost of living please?

Cheers

[KnowItAll]

http://www.geoexpat.com/about-hong-k...ng-kong-style/

[Anya]

Excellent info! After looking at all the prices and cost of living, I think we need 5M yeah dream on, so I think we will simply have to be content with a short visit to HK this summer.

I just remembered, we used to frequent Pizza Romano (where the waiters sing in a group before serving ) and Bulls & Bear(? - the pub) ....in Central. I loved both places! Are they still around?

Cheers everyone. You must consider Dubai as your next hop

Anya

[KnowItAll]

Both of them are gone ...

[basse]

don't know why you should be put off by the cost, my hubbi is a banker, a juniorone, gets 40k a month for housing, plenty to get you set in a nice flat....

[Anya]

Hello Basse,

I guess it depends on what's on offer then - its just that life is pretty stress free here (we work about 42 hours a week , office is a 10 min drive and more importantly we manage to save a fair bit despite living well).

After reading about HK, we have no complaints about Dubai really! Cost of living is definitely cheaper in Dubai than it is in HK. No point uprooting ourselves/rocking the boat at this time. But if my OH does in the remote (given what it would take for us to move) event get an offer he cannot refuse, then might be worth considering I guess.

Ta
Anya