[jshototz]

I am very new to message boards so I will keep this simple. My hubby is considering a job in Asia within his company and has the choice to live in HK or KL.
We have two young children (6&4) and we are trying to get some advice.
We are moving from a large city in Canada and want the same type of lifestyle - big city, lots to do etc...
Please offer any advice/opinions.

[KnowItAll]

KL -- third world, but a great place for families
HK -- top notch career opportunties and less family friendly

Both of them are great cities ...

What are YOUR priorities?

[Iramanis]

Assuming your pay package is the same in both places (ie given to you in terms of C$ equivalent and not local currency), you will be able to buy more in KL than HK as the cost of living in KL is much lower than HK. KL being the capital city of Malaysia is developing whereas HK is already developed...in fact too developed. Property is v expensive to rent/buy and for the same rental you pay in HK for a 2 bed flat in a nice area you will probably pay less than half of that for a detached 4-bedroom house in KL. The transport system (trains/underground/trams/taxis/buses/mini buses) in HK is first class all the way. You don't really need a car to get around. In KL the transport system although in development is not as good as that of HK. There is the overground but if you don't have a car you will be needing to use taxis a lot. Also, it's very hot all year round (over 30 degrees) whereas in HK you get 2 seasons (hot-30+ degrees vs cold-as cold as 10+ degrees). Generally there is no heating system in HK (unless you bring your own portable heater) so people tend to just wear many layers in the winter.

Food is in abundance in both places. In HK you will find delicious chinese food everywhere although there are all sorts of restaurants...Italian, Japanese etc. In Malaysia because it's multi-cultural (Malay/Chinese/Indian/Natives called bumiputras) you will also find all sorts of different food everywhere. Again, it's a lot more expensive to eat out in HK compared to KL. English is widely spoken in KL where some local people speak English amongst themselves although the national language is Bahasa Malaysia. You will find that even the local hawker/taxi driver etc speaks English in Malaysia. Although signposted well in English throughout HK, English is not as widely spoken in HK because of the concentration on the Chinese Language.

To sum it up, HK being more developed has been described as a city that never sleeps. You can still eat out in some places at 4-5am.

I love both places myself. KL is not third world as described by the last person who replied. Just not as developed as HK or Singapore.

[jshototz]

Thanks for the info. I think while family is a big concern we want to maintain a "city life". As I will not be working I do not want to feel like I am living in the sub burbs as that is not how we live here in Canada.
Also heard HK had stronger expat community, which I think would be quite important.

I'm concerned that the schools in KL will not be as internationally recognized as HK.
Children's education is a big factor in us coming over and the opportunities living in Asia opens for our family (both school and travel)
Also

[srhatton]

If your salary will be excellent, just choose HK. There are plenty of places in HK where you can get affordable living. I visited some friends that moved to KL and although their apartment was huge, I found KL a bit boring. Traveling outside of KL in Malaysia was super fun though, and beautiful. But you can always just go spend a weekend at Perhentian. Travel from HK is super cheap and easy, I think the convenience of HK outweighs KL. I was single on a teaching salary in HK and supported myself extremely well but in no way could I have raised a family in the tiny place I was living in. Im sure your family will be able to afford a sweet place tho. Have fun!

[reei]

i am from kl and living in hk now. i strongly suggest that you choose hk.
crime rate in hk is very much lower than kl. (fact)
food in kl taste better than hk (my personal opinion)
kl ppl are generally more friendly. (personal opinion)
transportation in hk is very good, kl is a nightmare (fact)

[links]

reei,

life in KL is much more relax than in HK. Although the roads in KL are always congested but car is more affordable in KL if you enjoy driving.

I been in KL and mixed with expats there about 7-8 years ago. There are international schools around and good supply for fine dining and westerners groceries.

however, KL is not that safe for the past few years, crime rates are high and local police is corrupted.

If your pay is below HK$60k per month, I guess KL will be a better place because the living cost there is about 1/5 HK. You probly can only afford a 3 room apartment in HK but a bungalow with garden in KL.

Both are great city in Asia and it will be better that you make a trip to KL and HK before you make decision.

[z754103]

Why don't you visit both places before you make a final decision?

[jenjenflower]

been to KL couple of times and love the food there, however, if it comes to living, would prefer HK. I wonder why the road signs in the streets in KL (or should I say Malaysia) are all in their own language? How the tourists can read? And the transportation there? oh well ... can't beat HK for sure. Ooh .. and when the time I was visitng KL, I think I only saw one or two expats.

[expat sam]

I used to work and live in HK, but I'm now based in Singapore but spend a lot of time in KL.

In short, KL is NOT a third world country (whoever posted that should check out Jakarta, Cambodia, Laos, India, Philippines before making that statement).

In my view it is actually better than a lot of cities in Asia with of course the exception of HK, Singapore, Seoul and Tokyo.

Of course given your husband's choice, I would choose HK - it has a low tax rate (which makes up slightly for the higher cost of living), it's more expat friendly and you'll have no problems making expat friends (important if you are not working). It is also easy, efficient and safe which would be important for your kids. The pollution would be something to consider for your kid's health though.