[orisworldtimer]

Hi, we are a family of 5 and are currently contemplating a job offer in HKG. The kids will be 12, 9, and 3 years old in 06, all of them will attend school at the appropriate level. They are not native English speakers and are currently learning the languauge.

In order to judge the feasibility of our move we would appreciate the comments on the following family budget.

Rent 15,000 3 bedrooms
Maid 3,300
Com/Utilities 2,000 electricity, gas, water, internet, phone, mobile
Food 6,000
Education 15,000
Transport 4,000
Health 750
Clothes 750
Leisure 4,000
Travel 1,500
Savings 5,817
Total 58,117

What is estimated too low or too high, can we live ok..
Thanks for your honest opinions! Cheers, Oris

[discobay]

oris,

You have transport and travel so there may be some overlap.

I would include management fee which is payable if you live in a managed housing block/estate. Expect around 1,000 to 2,000.

If you intend to run a car then expect to pay dearly for monthly parking 1,000 to 2,000 and "road tax" 1,000 to 2,000.

[KnowItAll]

I would also relook at the rental costs.

Depending on where you stay, the rent can be a major factor.

[PettsWood]

I think the education could be a little bit on the low side. The cheapest International school here will set up back about HK$ 5,000 per piece for primary (pre-10/11) and HK$ 7,500 for secondary. This is the minimum and you may need to pay a lot more in average. Other bits and pieces soon add up. I just pay HK$ 3,500 for my 10-year old daughter to go to a local one-week camp (outward bounds), part of the curriculum. She had a great time and learnt a lot but not every family thinks it is worthwhile, I gathered.

What language are your kids comfortable with?

You may want to think about school bus and tax too.

Also $15,000 for a three bed could also be a little bit tight but it all depends on what you want. The rent usually includes management fee because if the tenants do not pay the management fee, it is the landlord that suffers so they just somehow included that.

Hope this helps.

[discobay]

ESF kindergarten is under 4,000 and primary is under 5,000.

[KnowItAll]

ESF Kindergarten has just raised their fees. I think its $4300

[PDLM]

I would say that the maid will cost more - 3300 is the basic salary, but you need insurance, flights home, food, etc. And if you have a maid you'll need an apartment with a maid's room, which will cost more.

It is normal for employers to provide some sort of health cover here, so you may not need that expense, depending on exactly what cover is provided and how sickly your family is. Note that basic health care can be obtained more or less free in HK ($100 per hospital/outpatient visit plus drugs).

You can get three bedroom apartments for less than 15,000, but it really depends how little space you are used to living in.

My gut feeling is that the food budget might be low, but I don't really know for a family, eat at home lifestyle. I know that I spend more than that for one, but I never eat at home (two coffees and a bagel at Pacific Coffee every working day is HK$1500 per month by itself).

[PettsWood]

Trouble is, you cannot easily get in ESF (at least primary). The waiting list is very long. Maybe it would be slightly better with the two new schools but they charge more and they have a quota for non permanent HKID card holders, I believe.

[orisworldtimer]

Thanks to all of you who replied.
Our kid's first language is Portuguese, so we'd have a much easier time in Macau...now if I only had a job offer For their education a local school that teaches in English would be a good fit, we do not require a true International School. I have considered a local school, but I am worried that at ages 12 and 9 the time it takes to learn Chinese will be too long to the detriment of their education. Any experiences to the contrary to share?

I have revised my calculations upwards where indicated (and downwards for leisure, travel, and savings )

Rent 17,500 3 bedroom
Maid 3,800
Com/Utilities 2,000
Food 7,000
Education 17,500
Transport 3,000 public transport for all
Health 750
Clothes 750
Leisure 3,000
Travel 1,000
Savings 2,000
Total 58,300

Thanks again for any further comments. Cheers, Oris

[nivantj]

>> but I am worried that at ages 12 and 9 the time it takes to learn Chinese

You could have French as an alternative to Chinese in many schools, if that sounds easier...
AND local school does not necessarily mean public school, You could have plenty of schools in mid-range budget i.e. Private, DSS (sort of semi-private)... Definitely better than public schools