Having lived and taught in Hong Kong for 8 years, having had my two children in Hong Kong, and having become a permanent resident, I feel very much at home in the Fragrant Bay.
From the bustling and often frenetic city vibe to the serene, lush, tropical jungle scapes, Hong Kong is a place of stark and fascinating contrasts.
On countless levels, I treasure living in this marvelous city, and if you too are considering a similar move, there are a handful of things to know before moving to Hong Kong.
Below are what I would consider some of the top pros and cons of living in Hong Kong.
Moving to Hong Kong: Pros, Cons & Useful Things to Know
1. Over 70% Of Hong Kong’s Landmass Is Undeveloped Green Area
You’re never far from a hiking trail in Hong Kong. Even when you’re downtown!
Believe it or not, one of the main reasons I was drawn to Hong Kong is because of its outdoor scene.
While it was a bit difficult for me to truly believe that Hong Kong was a great place for an outdoors person like myself, after 8 years of hiking, biking, kayaking, coasteering, and camping in Hong Kong, I can vouch for the fact that Hong Kong has plenty of beautiful outdoor places to adventure and explore.
2. It’s Humid Year-Round and Hot Most of the Time Too
When I think of Hong Kong, one of the first things that comes to mind is the humidity.
One of my first memories of being in Hong Kong is showing up for a job interview completely soaked in sweat. And, while I was burning with embarrassment, fortunately, the interviewer seemed to take my appearance as completely normal.
Soon I came to realize that sweat stains aren’t a big deal in Hong Kong as nearly everyone, at some time, will find themselves soaked!
3. Eating Out Is A Treat That Comes At Just About Every Price Point
Whether you’re in the market for an indulgence at one of Hong Kong’s three-star Michelin restaurants or a quick and affordable bite to eat in one of Hong Kong’s wet markets, there are an overwhelming number of dining options at whatever price you’d like.
4. Just About Anything You Want Is Right At Your Fingertips
Related to the point above, while I tend towards the off-the-beaten-path, whole-in-the-wall type restaurants, that’s the beauty of Hong Kong, everything you want is at arms reach, and I’m not just talking about restaurants.
While living in Hong Kong, I seldom struggled to find any material thing I wanted whether it be a particular deodorant from back in the U.S., pieces of camping gear, Argentinian beef, or even abstract spices.
Though, in a global city of nearly 7.5 million people, is that really a surprise?
5. Living Spaces Are Small Unless You Want To Pay Large
It’s nothing new that Hong Kong is usually ranked as either the most or one of the most expensive real estate markets in the world.
And, given the seemingly unlimited demand for housing and an undeniably limited supply of places to live, prices in Hong Kong skyrocket.
The largest place I ever rented while living in Hong Kong was 350 square feet (~32 square meters), and that was for me, my partner, and our two sons!
If you’re someone who needs a lot of living space to be comfortable, moving to Hong Kong might not be for you. Unless of course, you’re willing to spend a small fortune.
And, keep in mind, most people live in high-rises.
6. Work-Life Balance Can Be Hard To Find
When I lived in Hong Kong, I taught at a local public school. My colleagues there are some of the most hard-working people I’ve ever worked with, and they aren’t the most focused on work-life balance.
Unlike in the U.S. where teachers have contracted hours – often the result of union negotiations – the same does not exist in Hong Kong regardless of the industry.
I certainly had a set start time for my workday, but there was no set end time. So, when I would leave for home, quite often 30-minutes or even an hour after the school day ended, I usually had to fight a bit of guilt by reminding myself that in spite of what others were doing, it is important for me to maintain a work-life balance.
Put more simply, people in Hong Kong work doggedly hard because when you cram 7.5 million people into a relatively small space, the competition heats up!
7. Public Transportation Is Reliable, Affordable, and Efficient
I completely and utterly LOVE the public transportation system in Hong Kong.
While we did own a car for a short time – my partner had a massive commute that would have taken over 2 hours via public transit – on many occasions driving proved less convenient than the busses, trains or even ferries would have been!
And, if you factor in how hard and expensive it can be to find a parking space, Hong Kong’s public transit system wins by far.
8. Outlying Islands Are A Hop Skip And Jump Away
Care for a quick trip to a gorgeous tropical island, complete with white sand beaches, turquoise water, and palm trees?
While there are many pros and cons of living in Hong Kong, being able to access countless tropical beaches, such as Po Toi Island is definitely a pro!
And don’t worry, you won’t need a private yacht to access these tropical gems, as again, the public transit ferry system will have you covered!
9. You’ll Never Need To Do Any Large Grocery Shopping Again
Something I most love about living in Hong Kong is the fact that there are wet markets (local meat and produce markets) and street-side fruit, vegetable, and meat vendors on just about every corner.
In fact, I’d challenge you to find a place in Hong Kong where you can walk down the street for more than 100 feet without encountering some sort of shop, stall, or vendor selling groceries of a sort.
Practically speaking, what this means is that every few days I’d do a small grocery trip, so I always have super fresh food on hand, and therefore I never need to do any one-off massive grocery shopping.
10. Dairy Products Are Not Part of the Local Cuisine
If you’re a cheese connoisseur, don’t worry, you can still get your delicious dairy-based delights, but, you’ll have to pay a pretty penny.
In fact, there are a number of high-end cheese shops in Hong Kong, but since dairy really isn’t part of Chinese cuisine, you likely won’t find bargains on any dairy products.
And, if you’re a cereal and milk type of person, you don’t need to worry either. However, a lot of the milk available in Hong Kong is UHT milk, the type that comes in those wax-coated paper boxes.
I survive just fine with the lack of access to dairy in Hong Kong and dare I say, I might have even improved my health a bit without it all.
11. Cold Drinks Are Considered Unhealthy by Chinese Medicine Standards – Get Ready for Hot Tea and Soup in the Summer
If you’re a tea or soup person, you’re going to feel right at home in Hong Kong.
In fact, I can’t think of a place in Hong Kong where you can’t quickly find a cup of tea or a bowl of some kind of soup.
My favorite is fish ball noodle soup, but that is just one of the many Hong Kong soul foods I suggest you add to your eating bucket list.
12. You Need to Know a Few Things About Politics in Hong Kong and How That May Affect Your Life
Living in Hong Kong currently means experiencing a social fabric that is very similar to mainland China.
This is quite a stark contrast to the social fabric of the past when it was much more similar to Great Britain.
Be aware that there are different human rights standards in Hong Kong than in many other places.
For example, in the U.S. there is long-standing protection of freedom of speech. Nowadays in Hong Kong, some people I know are hesitant to speak freely, and in particular, must make sure that what they say does not violate Hong Kong’s National Security Law.
However, if you plan to move to Hong Kong and don’t have political aims and/or a desire to be a vanguard of social change, I think you will find Hong Kong a lovely place to live with good wages, easy access to more or less all the material comforts of “back home”, and a great outdoor scene.
Also Read: How to Access Blocked Websites Abroad
13. Things to Know When Moving to Hong Kong With Kids
If you’re planning to move to Hong Kong with kids, or perhaps might want to start a family in Hong Kong someday, then there are a few other things worth knowing.
- Schools are often competitive and high pressure.
- Friends can be transient as many expats only stay in Hong Kong for a limited amount of time, generally a few years.
- Physical spaces to play are often smaller than in non-city areas.
- Hong Kong is a very safe place for children. I’ve often seen young children (maybe 5-6 years old) in pairs riding public transit, walking down the street, and playing at playgrounds without their parents.
Moving to Hong Kong – Conclusions
As any destination in the world, there are pros and cons to living in Hong Kong.
I hope this article has helped give you a better idea of what it would be like to move to Hong Kong.
And, for more information about what it’s like to live in Hong Kong, check out this interview with an expat living in Hong Kong.
Also Read:
- Things to Consider Before Moving to Another Country
- 5 Great Reasons to Move Abroad
- 5 Types of Expats You Will Meet Abroad
Like this article with things to know before moving to Hong Kong? Pin it!
