[Kiwie]

Hi,

Well I will arriving into HK on Monday, 1st October.....brand new and would love some advice, help anything really

I’m from New Zealand and I’m moving to Hong Kong for my husbands work he is Swedish.

We will be living in The Zenith!

So please tell where I can get my hair cut and coloured….. I have long straight thin blonde hair and will want cut/style and a full head of foils. I would love to find a modern hair salon with great products. I have never really been to any other salons even in New Zealand other than 1, he was so amazing I have never had to change…..I’m nervous about trying 1 in HK…. But I will have to be done and hopefully with your experience, guidance and advice.

Brazilin waxing and eye brow treading, where to go? And how much will I be looking at?

Bars and restaurants….. We are a young fun modern couple and love to have a good time and socialize with a glass of wine (well that’s me) …..I’m very social in NZ and love catching up with friends and don’t know anyone in HK yet!! My husband will be working a lot so I hope I can build a network of friends.

Real good strong coffee??? In New Zealand we are known for our cafes and brunches with great coffee.

We are also after some advice on a domestic helper for just cleaning the apartment and doing the washing once or twice a week?? Is this possible and how + where will I found one.

Your assistance and help will be much appreciated

Cheer,
Erin

[KnowItAll]

>> I can build a network of friends.

Between GeoExpat and the number of expat women's groups like the American Women's Association (open to all - www.awa.org.hk ), you have very little to worry about.

[Skyhook]

Kiaora cuz,

are you P?keh? or M?ori?

I am half Kiwi , my dad's from the Bay of Plenty area, although I wasn't born in Aotearoa, I do have dual citizenship there.



You will not find much like the very eclectic and conversationally politicised Cuba Street of Wellington in HK sis.

I am still yet to find a cafe as good as Fidels Cafe http://www.homepages.paradise.net.nz/fidels/main.htmlknown for NZ's best coffee, their funky casual atmosphere etc. It's really hard finding what was common place back home here, so, eventually you lose interest in what you liked before, and you just learn to accept whats locally offered, and just smile when its average.

[Allicat]

Hi there

I'm sure you will love HK.

Regarding hair salons, there is a Toni & Guy and Paul Gerrard salons. Think they are both in Central. Bit on the pricey side and depending on where you got your hair done maybe slightly more than what you would pay in NZ. Check them out when you get here.

This site has got loads of info that you will find really helpful.

[Skyhook]

Another pretty active social group is the Australian Association, you can get more info from here http://www.ozhongkong.com/

HK is a pretty social place, meeting people will be a bit like shooting fish in a barrel, its easy if you are an out going type. You'll also discover the other xpat enclaves in and around the Island South side, Shek O especially, the New Territories ie Sai Kung, Gold Coast etc, Lantau ie Discovery Bay and artsy, hippy esq Lamma.

Each has its own unique territorial influence. Some are more community oriented than others, you'll soon work that out over time. I've lived in 5 different districts of HK over the years, and each area has its own particular social clique.

Its all good though....

[sunniefaith]

Come join us for ladies' dinner on 3rd Oct. You'll get to meet new friends!

[JaniceFung]

Hello, How are you? This is Janice and I'm Chinese. I can teach you the Cantonese. I can introduce one of hair & beauty salon which is located at Causeway Bay. The name is MYTH. My friend is the owner and he's so great. All price is very reasonable. Regarding the domestic helper, I can help you. If you need any further information, please feel free to contact me once you're in HK.

Once again, WELCOME TO HONG KONG

Wish you have a great time in HK too...

[JenniferL]

Hi! Welcome. I suggest you also join the ladie's dinner night out. I haven't attended yet, but this will be my first time also.

I have been here for a little over a year now and I've come to the conclusion that if you don't make yourself available and join these groups, that it's hard to meet people.

My husband and I moved here from New York City and it's been a big change. We moved here because of my job, but my husband is the one that is the busiest. So, I never see him and it's been a little difficult to go out on my own. I've always been very independent, but now that I'm married, it's a little strange to just go out and try to meet people.

I agree with "skyhook" that you just have to forget what you like or are used to and have to settle.. for many things.

Regarding brazilian waxing, I've had many bad ones here. But.. I finally found a great place. It is Beauty Wave Salon in Central. I can also give you the details once you arrive here. I am very picky with brazilian waxes, so take my advice that she is great. As for the prices, I have to recheck the website. I just pay without really checking, so I will let you know.

Good luck with your move. New experiences are great, but there's no place like home!

[Skyhook]

Jennifer, once you have been here for awhile, you tend to try and find a location in HK that is more like home, we did the local expat thing for long enough, and frankly, we got bored witless by it in the end.

So, it opened the door for an about face, and the reintroduction of the many things we missed, and loved about home, on us getting our lifestyle back to the way it used to be.. Now we are very happy, its great now, inviting 10 or so people over ( couples ) for a few wines, having the inner and outdoor space at home to be able to do it, and having a fully equipped kitchen again, wow, just made things so much easier to entertain...

I am pretty much over the restaurant gathering rhetoric here, as it seems less personal to me.

At the end of the day, it is up to the individual, and to what extent your living environment was, prior to living in HK.
It is possible to retain most of what you had before, you just have to create new ways that make it happen here, and finding other like minded creative Bohemian types, certainly helps.

[JenniferL]

Hi Skyhook - you are right. You know what, I am just not used to having to make an effort to meet people. Going on this expat website is the first step I've taken after being here a year. Back home it came so naturally. I lived in NYC, so I thought HK would be pretty similar, but it definetly isn't. I work in an all chinese office and neighborhood and the only day that I get to hang out or be with my husband is on Sundays. So.. I guess here it just takes a little more effort. Thanks for your words of advice!