[Aldorankin]

I'm moving to HK in december with my wife for a new job. I'm being offered HK$ 31,000 per month. I was wondering if this was a good salary to live in HK, basically in the Kwai Chung area. Our lifestyle here in Panama is middle class family. I'm a little worried since we are moving from latin america and we are a little lost in some of HK living areas.

Thank you

[KnowItAll]

The two biggest expenses you'll face in your first year in Hong Kong are rent and taxes.

1) You need to have about 4 to months worth of rent to take care of deposits (rental, electric, phone etc etc), estate agent commissions etc. Furniture and appliances will also add to your moving costs if you're not moving with your furniture. The best approach is to get a rental allowance and have your company pick up the cost of the deposits and setup.

2) Your first tax bill from the Hong Kong govt will be delivered to you in September / October and will include your past year's taxes that you owe and the next years taxes on "estimated income".

We've met several people here from Latin America and Spain. There is a decent sized community, which you can use several associations here in Hong Kong to hook up with.

[nivantj]

Getting rental allowance (i.e. Company provided acco) from company should also benefit in saving tax, i guess.... Is that true?

[Aldorankin]

Thank you very much Mr. Knowitall. The company is already giving me a cash advance for moving to HK. What do you recommend when moving to HK, getting into a hotel or a serviced apartment? And wich one do you think is a good one, not too expensive, just decent ones. Also, I was a little concerned about the salary that was being offered to me, is 31,000 HK per month, is it a good salary for me and my wife to live normally? Where can I get information on the associations of latin american people over there?
Thank you very much

[Aldorankin]

Yes nivantj, getting a rental allowance from your company (written in the contract) is going to give tax saving in HK.

[rani]

Aldo,

There's Las Mujeres Latina

http://www.geoexpat.com/app/mxdirectory/view/155/Spanish-Speaking-Women's-Association/

[Roger]

Get a village house in the New Territories, they're cheaper

[travelem]

31,000 HK for two persons are pretty tight, you have to live like local middle class.
http://www.gohome.com.hk/english/home.asp?

[berryplucker]

Oh, shock! horror!

How could someone possibly cope with living like the local middle class in one of the richest territories in the world?

[Mat]

31.000 is fair enough depending on your experience and age. If you are 2 people about 25/30 Years old it is really Ok.
Middle Class in HK live pretty well compare to 90% of the world so no worry.
After if you are 45 years old with a lot of experience and used to a high class standing then 31.000 will look tight..
Expat always easily forget the reality .....