[onthemove]

Hello ...

I need some information about living in HK. My manager just told me today I might need to move to Hong Kong for a year or more and I have no clue about expenses, cost of living etc

1. What is a decent ballpark figure to have a comfortable stay in HK assuming its just 2 people - me and my spouse ?

Accomodation costs
Transport
Healthcare
Food etc etc

Would something like HKD 20K per month be a decent amount ?

[KnowItAll]

Before we digress, a decent amount depends on your lifestyle. Have a look around the forums and you'll get an idea of what the costs are.

Housing can take a sizeable chunk out of your salary, specially at 20K.

[onthemove]

Thanks did get some pointers but none about acco costs ??

Also what is scene for dependants ? Are they allowed to work ?

Since July 2003, people with dependent visas are not permitted to work legally unless they find an employer to sponsor the work visa. But Immigration can still reject the application.

Rent can cost anywhere from 8K to 50K and up depending where you live.

[nivantj]

At 20K for TWO,
(1) You may need to either strike a balance between evertything or compromise one for the other. The most common way to do so might be tightening the belt for Acco to compensate easing of other stuffs..
(2) Might have to rely on public healthcare (i.e. Govt) which is essentially free and not bad.

[onthemove]

Can decent acco be managed in about 10-12 K ?

So what your saying is if I manage to get acco at a decent price everything else can fall into place ? Though with the way everyone is talking about 20k .. feels like it is really a small amount and I would need to really compromise ?

Also how safe is HK as a city ?

If there is any leeway given on the monies side .. how much bare minumum should i be looking at negotiating with my boss ?

Thanks !!

[KnowItAll]

>> how much bare minumum should i be looking at negotiating with my boss ?

You will have to look at several factors, including how much you spend on transportation, food and other necessities.

HK$20K is a fairly low end package, assuming you're being sent here because you have some specialist skills that cannot be found in Hong Kong, or you're going to be responsible for some serious business development type activities, which again, a local person cannot deliver.

[onthemove]

well I would be there for some business development activities ..
doubt aside from that there are skills which are not available there

hmm .. so atleast doubling of that amount should be something which I should be looking at .. more like 40K doubt i'll get but what's the harm in trying !!

would that sound decent atleast ?

[KnowItAll]

Definately, allows you to save some money and gives you some more options like taking holidays.. travelling etc.

Don't get me wrong, $20 is an ok salary for many people in Hong Kong -- but most of them don't have to pay for housing.

[KnowItAll]

We finally got the article we were working on done.

Part one of "how much is the doggy in the window"

http://www.geoexpat.com/moving-to-ho...ng-kong-style/