[spanner]

Hi

I am moving to Hong Kong at the end of August for three months and wanted to get some advice.

1. My boyfriend will be attending HKUST and so we would like to live somewhere up to around half an hours travel from there - does anybody have any recommendations on areas to live? Also, we have a budget of between HK $10,000 - 15,000 per month for a serviced apartment, any recommendations for agents who deal with serviced apartments would be great.

2. What will the weather be like around September to December time - do I need my winter woolies?

3. If we cannot find a serviced apartment to move into as soon as we arrive, does anybody have any recommendations for somewhere to stay temporarily. I have been referred to the Guest Houses and hostels such as the YMCA and YWCA - does anybody have any experience of these?

4. Finally, I am probably not going to be working during our three month stay in HK but would like to learn mandarin/cantonese - which would be more useful?

Thanks

[Sleuth]

Hi Spanner.

I have questions about your questions.

1. Where are you from? You would have to be from a rather warm climate to need winter woolies in HK. Unless your final living space isn't heated.
2. Will you be travelling while in HK? Might need warmer clothes for that.
3. By "useful" language, do you mean in HK or once you leave?

Sorry, no experience with your #3.

[Katanga]

1. Look at the link above for serviced apartments,
2. Best weather that time of the year. Unless you are moving from the Sahara no need for woolies. Perfect weather with the ocassional need for a light sweater etc.
3. can't help - sorry
4. Learn Mandarin but be aware that you will not learn much in the 3 months.

Good luck.

[spanner]

Thanks Katanga and Sleuth

I am coming from Vancouver, Canada although originally from UK so am used to cold winters.

We will probably travel around China for a couple of weeks over Christmas at some point.

I meant useful language for Hong Kong as I am going back to the UK after.

Thanks

[Sleuth]

Everyone I have had to do business with in HK is speaking Cantonese (or, for my sake, English). Realtors, serviced apartment people, cabbies, etc.... The handover was only a few years ago so the adult population still speaks Cantonese. Are the Chinese in Vancouver from HK or the PRC? One of the languages might come in handy back in Canada.
Keep in mind that northern China will be cold in late December, but it is probably easier to buy a winter jacket in SZ than to haul winter clothes across the Pacific for a couple of weeks use.

[spanner]

Great, thanks for the advice Sleuth!