[singh123_dash]

Dear Friends,

I have been offered a job in hk & would like to move,
i will really appreciate if you can revert urgently on
my below queries since i have to give an answer by
monday for which i would need to cosnder below factors

I am being offered a package of USd 4500 +
accommodation

I would request you to answer my questions for each
point given below.

1. I am being offered a senior managerial postion n my
first question is 4500 + accomodation salary enough,
should i also ask for a car??

2. Please advice what is the amount I will be spending
every month on food?.

3. How much money i will be spending on Electricity,
water, telephone, cable, newspaper & gas every month?

4. I have 2 year old son whom I plan to send to play
school what are the play school fees like/month.

5. What about domestic helps do you get them n if you
do how much do they charge???

6. If I am an expat do I have to pay any taxes in hk??

SINGH123

[larac]

Start by using the Search function on this forum and you will find good answers to most of your questions.

I think the salary is good but that totally depends on your lifestyle, and it is especially good if they are going to pay your accomodation costs becasue that is by far your biggest cost but you had better get details on the location and value of the accomodation package.

You don't need a car here at all, public transport is amazing and even if you travelled by taxi all the time it would still be cheaper than having a car I think - it is a luxury so if you are going to get one think about the maintenance and petrol costs, and the parking becasue parking is expensive.

Most people eat out alot so food costs are a bit higher but I don't think the supermarket is really any more expensive than in other big cities.

I think we pay about $1200 per month in bills but not totally sure becasue you get all sorts of deal when you sign up to things and have to pay set up fees and depositis etc. Electricity costs are higher in the summer because you thave the aircon on 24/7 but otherwise I think its roughly about $270per month for phone/internet/cable .

I think the minimum wage for a domestic helper is about HK$3500 and they must live in so you pay all their living costs too.

Yes you do have to pay tax its 16% but then I had read that people from the uS still have to pay some US taxes too.

All this stuff has been covered before so do some searches and you will get all the answers you need.

[KnowItAll]

Playschool fees can run at around 2.5-3K (HK$).

[singh123_dash]

dear larac--thank a ton for all your answers this info is very useful are all the expenses given below in $HK??

what about gym memberships, how much do they cost every month in $HK??

what about weekend entertainment trips, like how much does one end up spending on movie tickets,eating out, visits to kids parks

what time of year do you get you r annual holiday to go home?

are there good kids parks in hk???

also i have a question for know it all what is rent for decent 3 bedroom furnished aprtment???

[carang]

would totally depend on what you consider "decent"... how long is a piece of string?

give us square footage that you are looking for... furnished? balcony? kids playgound in the complex? do you want your place to have a pool? how far are you willing to commute(timewise)?


you need to give details, if you want informative answers

as for phone, cable, electricity etc....

i live in DB...i have a 1 year old son....we have a helper and live in an 856', 3 bdm, 2 bth, flat with a balcony....

our monthly expenses are approx....

cable $300
internet $290
phone(including long distance to canada every day) $400
gas $400
mobiles (X 2) $400(total)
helper $3400
helper's levy $400
food for 3 adults & baby (including dog food for 2 dogs, diapers, formula etc) $6000
rent $6000
management fees $900
transportation (one person works in DB, so minimal transport) $3000
baby playgroup (2-3X week) $3900 for 30 classes

that may give you a better idea of expenses with a baby...

[larac]

Yep all the prices in HK$.

Gyms cost roughly $500 per month but there are several chains all with differnt deals so you need to check it out once you get here. Also alot of apartment buildings come with small gyms and pools. I get a gym membership becasue it was so hot in the summer and rained for ages in August but wish I hadn't because I have such limited free time and now I'm discovering lots of places to go and would rather spend my time outside when I can.

Look up Ocean park and HK Disneyland to see their admission prices and this is a link to one of the movie chains http://www3.cinema.com.hk/revamp/html/index.php.

Right now is a 4 day long weekend for Chinese New Year and there is another one at Eater. I went home at Christmas but HK kind of empties whenever there is a public holiday.

There are little parks with playgrounds all over HK and then if you venture a bit further afield there are lots of beaches etc.

Housing is the most expensive and varied thing here. Totally depends on location and the facilities you want. Everything is smaller here than you are probably used to. Everyone recommends to stay in a serviced apartment for a month or two while you suss out where you want to live. You can pay anything from 5000 to 50000 per month just depends on your budget and priorities. Post a thread with a specific enquiry like do you have any locations or budgets in mind?

[Baron]

There are some good parks for kids, but getting to them is usually the problem if you are using prams. So many steps and steep inclines. There is a great playground in Hong Kong Park.

[singh123_dash]

hi carang,
the info that you gave is very discritpive, ok i am looking for 3 bedroom since my place of work is going to be tsuen wan, or the closest station i am really niot aware of the rents but looking for decent 3 br apertment the aprrtment complex with parks, quite environment, proximity to MTR's, supermarkets & play school is important.

[singh123_dash]

carang,

my apartment budget will be around 7000-8000 hk$
can u get good aprtments in that rate in tseun wan area, really not hung up on staying in tsuen wan, until unless it is always preferable to stay in the same area as your office,but if there are any good housing locations close to tuen wan 10 minutes ride by MTR, that wud also be fine

[singh123_dash]

Originally Posted by carang

would totally depend on what you consider "decent"... how long is a piece of string?

give us square footage that you are looking for... furnished? balcony? kids playgound in the complex? do you want your place to have a pool? how far are you willing to commute(timewise)?


you need to give details, if you want informative answers

as for phone, cable, electricity etc....

i live in DB...i have a 1 year old son....we have a helper and live in an 856', 3 bdm, 2 bth, flat with a balcony....

our monthly expenses are approx....

cable $300
internet $290
phone(including long distance to canada every day) $400
gas $400
mobiles (X 2) $400(total)
helper $3400
helper's levy $400
food for 3 adults & baby (including dog food for 2 dogs, diapers, formula etc) $6000
rent $6000
management fees $900
transportation (one person works in DB, so minimal transport) $3000
baby playgroup (2-3X week) $3900 for 30 classes

that may give you a better idea of expenses with a baby...

thanks what is you apartment size like does it have a inhouse pool, gym or a kids play area??