Some things to know about how to move to Hong Kong
A few months ago I decided to go to Hong Kong from my permanent residence in Cincinnati, Ohio. He recently reconectado (on Facebook) with a nice girl of my modest secondary school who I had not seen in person since 1985. Since I have never been married, have no children and run my own internet company that allows me to work from anywhere in the world, decided to make an initial visit to withdraw it. It only took me a few days to realize that I wanted to live in Hong Kong.
After extending my two week visit to four weeks, returned to the States to tie some loose ends. He sold or gave away most of my possessions and reduced my possessions to what would fit comfortably in two suitcases. 43 Years of age and have his life reduced to what fits in two suitcases was a surreal and surprisingly liberating. A month later, it was off to the discovery of the Bay of Hong Kong to a new experience of life. For who is studying the possibility of making a move of this kind, I would like to share some observations and recommendations.
Currency: Hong Kong Government uses "Hong Kong dollars". If you are accustomed to the U.S. currency, the transition is really quite easy. The current exchange rate is approximately 7.8%. In simple terms, this means that a packet of cigarettes costing HK $39,00 results in approximately $5.00 in the States. Since I am not really strong when it comes to mathematics, I found an easy way to turn dollars HK $. Let's say that a pizza in a menu that is HK sees $100.00. How much is that in dollars? What seems to be an easy way to convert is to determine first what 10% of the price. In this case, 10% of $100.00 is $10.00. Then, add about 25% of the $10.00, which is $2.50. Well, the pizza that costs HK $100.00 is $12.50 in US dollars. If you want to buy a TV screen flat which is on sale for HK $8000.00, took 10% of the 8 k, which is $800.00. Then add 25% of the $800.00 that is $200.00. Thus, the HK flat screen TV $8000.00 is approximately $1000.00 dollars.
Another thing to remember about Hong Kong is not sales tax. Tipping in restaurants is also rare. Seems strange at first not suggestion or simply let the change for the service, but in Hong Kong bartenders and servers normally pay a good wage or salary per hour - unlike in the States. Try to leave a tip of $5.00 for a dinner of $200.00 at a restaurant in New York and see what happens!
Transport: Many adults in Hong Kong have never driven a car. They simply do not need. Hong Kong is wonderful because it is an organized and orderly city. Mass transport is safe, clean, comfortable and very affordable. It is very easy to get a taxi, take the subway (known as the "MTR"), take a ferry or jump on a bus. While Hong Kong is part of China, brimming with English-speaking expatriates around the world. As a result, 99 per cent of the signs are in English, which makes it extremely easy to get. The not so obvious of the Hong Kong mass transport system advantage is that when you are not driving, you can do other things like reading e-mail, bread, etc. It's a reducer of enormous stress that does not consider the majority of the people. Imagine a two additional hours for you every day!
Hiking: I currently live in the Bay of discovery, which is a community on the island of Lantau. I often compare DB to Hawaii and the Centre of Hong Kong to New York. In other words, you can experience the best of both worlds. The great thing about living here is that we can walk on the island to different communities, many of which are relatively primitive and very Chinese. If the love of the outdoors and love to be active, there are countless opportunities to leave the city and experience the culture China on foot.
Proximity to other countries: am used to live in Ohio, which is pretty coastline. Hong Kong, on the other hand is very close to the mainland China, Philippines, Japan, Viet Nam, Indonesia and Thailand. Many people I've found in Hong Kong are very traveled the world. It is not uncommon to meet people who have visited countries in 10, 15 or 20. In a few months, I have made friends in UK, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, South Africa and Baltimore. It really is a melting pot here and there is never a dull moment.
Residence: When entering Hong Kong, immigration stamps in your Passport that allows you to visit the region during 90 days. If you plan to stay longer, there are several ways to become a resident. If your company in the States send here for business, you're good to go with a work visa. If they are here and they are hired by a company, you get a work visa as well. If you plan to start a business, you need to present its plan of immigration and visa an "investment". Not do so on their own. Contact or visit Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and you will be presented to an accounting firm that specializes in the presentation of business for immigration approval plans. If you meet a resident and they fall in love, then you can stay well if you're married!
Living in Hong Kong is impressive. The only thing I regret is that I waited 43 years venturing outside my zone of comfort in Ohio. It is never too later departed on a new adventure of life. Life is short, so if you have always had the desire to explore this beautiful planet, consider withdrawing from Hong Kong. Different, but not so different is that the culture shock will be too much to handle.
Greg Shields is an entrepreneur and an expert in online marketing and e-commerce. He is the owner of http://www.spygearpros.com and sells spy gear to individuals, private researchers, companies and government organizations around the world.