[Louiseamanda]

Hello

Emma- you usually get a 2y contract for a flat and you can break this after 12 months giving (I think 2m notice) in case you wanted to move.There are many English people around southside - we dont know anyone either but people are friendly so I hope you dont feel intimidated after you move,.
Best of luck flat-hunting!
L

[cerberus]

go to mid-levels and north point, seems like more euros live there.

[cheeky miss]

Hi,

I'm new myself (arrived a few days ago) but have done LOADS of research and exploring.

I haven't found anywhere definite, but have pretty much chosen to settle in Sheung wan, which is the next stop along from Central. It's convenient, with tram and MTR stops, walkable to Central and quite cheap, you can get decent sized rooms for not too much.

It seems to me there are foreigners (Westerners/non-chinese) all over the place in HK! so youll never be too far away from expats.

it depends on your budget and where youll be working.

[PDLM]

Am I the only (English) one who finds it somewhat sad that people come all the way from England to HK and then focus their efforts on living amongst other English people?

[discobay]

It's just because they feel homesick. They'll go through a phase of ringing IDD so much that they wish they hadn't left. This will be accompanied with reams of emails describing every new adventure and a return flight back every few months. It'll soon wear off.

[KnowItAll]

>> their efforts on living amongst other English people?

How many locals do you know who you could call friends? People you'd ring up and go "lets go for a drink, I'm pissed with my boss". Didn't Wacko Jacko say something about looking at the Man in the Mirror?

[Louiseamanda]

Hello

I agree. It is just one of the 'considerations' you think on, before getting here (amongst plenty of others) Its not every effort. Also 'English' usually meaning - someone I can talk to in English (we are not very good at languages!)

NIce to be able to talk to your neighbours? In our road there are many expats-English/French/German/Canadian/Portuguese and a couple of Chinese households(who we have barely seen) The expats are very friendly and invite you in/chat etc. This helps when you are new to a country particularly if you are not working and/or have children who would like to play with the neighbouring children.
Also, because you are not coming for a holiday to get away you are coming to live your life, the considerations are different.

[KnowItAll]

I see sense in both the arguments.

Having lived in HK for 12+ years and had friends from virtually all economic strata, nationalities and ethnicities, one gets to a point where comfort and security are perhaps more important than the adventure of living in a new land.

Security and comfort are probably more important to most people after they've been there done that. Once you're secure, have a like minded group and have your daily comforts taken care of... then venture into the backstreets of Mongkok and make friends with your friendly neighbourhood triad.

[PDLM]

Originally Posted by KnowItAll

>> their efforts on living amongst other English people?

How many locals do you know who you could call friends? People you'd ring up and go "lets go for a drink, I'm pissed with my boss". Didn't Wacko Jacko say something about looking at the Man in the Mirror?

If you mean true local HK Chinese then, er, none at all. But Koreans, Mainland Chinese, Filipinos, Belgians, Americans, Canadians, OBCs, and so on, then plenty.

[daisydiver]

I'm from London and coming over in November. It's great to hear that people who've just arrived are settling in easily. I spent yesterday flat hunting and seem to be drifting towards the Happy Valley end of Mid Levels. Has anyone looked here or do you know anyone there? Like the rest of you, I'd really like to be around people I can talk to - at least until I get to used to it all!