[Katharine]

I have been offered a job in Hong Kong. They want to pay me HK$10,000/month and they are giving me an apartment to live in.

Is this enough money to cover expenses and to live a halfway decent life?

[dmac]

Average Expat Meal: HKD $350 (no wine, no dessert)
Cost of a drink at a club: $120


All in all, Hong Kong is one of the most expensive cities on the planet. 10K HKD (USD $1283) is going to put you on a very very very tight budget here but you could survive. I would ask very specific details about the housing they are arranging for you and what is included. Maid Service? Laundry? Cable TV and if so what channels? Broadband internet? Location? (Don't accept your employer's description about how long it takes to get from your apt. to your office. You will need to do some more research on that yourself), Management and Government taxes included? Essentially, you shouldn't have to pay a single penny of your cent of your "living expenses" if all the company will pay you is 10K. I think if you negotiate a little you should be able to get 18K salary and a full-housing package.

BTW, what kind of job is this?

DM

[KnowItAll]

>> Average Expat Meal: HKD $350 (no wine, no dessert)
>> Cost of a drink at a club: $120

What?????

Average drink should be $40-50 and $70ish on the higher side. Unless you consider single malts to be your average drink.

Define "average expat meal" ... $350 will get you a decent meal at the Verandah in the Peninsula .. which is not exactly average.

Back to the original question. $10K/month in allowances is a bit low. You're not going to save a lot. Having said that it does depend on what the apartment includes (hopefully its fully furnished, utilities / management etc all taken care of)

[FrEdDyLeE]

I think that's quite enough already offer 10,000 so you can save lot from they are giving you an apartment to live in.

[Katharine]

Well I guess I have some questions to ask about the apartment. I don't know - I'm starting to worry that $10K/month isn't going to be enough.

What about insurance? What is "accident insurance" (this is what they said they are required by law to give me). No medical insurance.

What are the likely fees for an apartment? Is it a percentage per month?
My head is spinning after looking online for information. It seems to me that in the city, it would cost at least $15K/month for a 2 bedroom. Is that about right?

Thanks for all your help.

[alabama]

it will depend on your own standard of living back where you come from. with $10,000 HKD /mth, you can't afford much in HK apart from essential living and it's almost impossible for you to save. Then again, if you are willing to shop in the cheap markets and cook home sometimes, take public transport, etc, you might be able to save. Hk offers a broad spectrum of life style, $10,000 HKD/mth can also feed a family of four if you want to live that way

[JJexpat]

Agree with Alabama, HK offers one extreme to the other--finding the balance that is right for you is the key, Katherine.

Your age, interests and job location will be factors--as will your current mode of living and whether you want to continue or improve that, or are into an "experience".

I've gone for the experience and feel I am having it all...but I'm 50 so that does not include clubbing and out for drinks a lot - it does include out for dinner a lot and good wines. I would plan on 10-20k after rent to have more of what HK can offer. 10k is a minimum that may leave you feeling deprived. Of course, that depends a lot on who you hang out with! Cheers-
JJ

[Robmuddyman]

Katherine
I am moving to HK too soon and I have spent a long time researching. (I have to fund my own accom)

On the wage front I think that $10k per month will give you a modest lifestyle providing you are not prone to lots of drinking binges (the social life in HK can be enticing - and expensive)

JJexpat and alabama gave great advice

Good luck

[tammyjc97]

I live in hong kong and if your rent is being paid for that is the majority of you outgoings so i think that is fine. as for the meal thing unless you plan on dining at the mandarin every night you will have money to do stuff with no worries.

[Corapanther]

Living in Hong kong now, I can say that if you have rent paid for then most of it is covered with a 10K salary. However be careful and ask for what is expected. Is overtime part of that salary? And on that note, hong kong overtime is ridiculous. Some people sleep in the office.

Meals that are good and tasty and pass the expat discrimination can be sub $30 for a special. Go to the mall at Kwai Fong and there near the Yoshinoya is a steak place that has great deals.

The caveat is that you should have some sort of cantonese grasp and that you know where to eat as well as when. The best times are around noon for good lunch specials. Afternoon tea has a few good specials but may not be enough quantity wise to your liking.

Also know what is EXPENSIVE in hong kong and get it back when you travel home. Books are ridiculously expensive here and it's better to even ship it from Amazon.com (Sad to say).