Moving to Hong Kong – International Relocation

Moving to Hong Kong

For all its modernity and restless energy, In moving to Hong Kong you will find a destination that remains distinctly Chinese, with deep traditions settled firmly amongst its towering skyscrapers and bright lights.
English and Chinese are the official languages in Hong Kong; Cantonese is the local dialect of Chinese spoken.

For the most part English is widely used in the legal, business, and government sectors, though it has suffered a small decline in recent years.

Mandarin usage is on the rise; however, it is not widely known.
You may wish to take advantage of our relocation intercultural and language training services at this stage.
Many have asserted that the city (Hong Kong Island) and its surrounds (Kowloon, the New Territories and over 200 outlying islands) seamlessly combine Western and Eastern influence, but don’t be fooled by this statement.

The cultures haven’t diffused into each other as much as they’ve found a way to exist alongside each other, so though you may find a fair amount of familiarity in this Chinese special administrative region, do prepare for a densely populated land still governed by the teachings of Confucius and a potent Cantonese past.

Hong Kong is often pegged as the “Pearl of the Orient”, and if nothing else, it’s an indication of this bustling metropolis’s devotion to wealth and quality.

The former British colony is one of the world’s leading capitalist economies, is an Asian financial hub and an established expat region for high income earners looking to further their career.
That said, expats moving to Hong Kong should note that lucrative employment packages are becoming a thing of the past, even as the cost of living in the destination continues to climb.

Ostentatious luxury is certainly a party of the city’s psyche, but is becoming far less attainable for anyone other than senior level employees.

There are a number of popular residential areas for expat accommodation in Hong Kong, each catering to distinct, individual lifestyle preferences.

Families with young children tend to favour the Southern part of Hong Kong Island, while single expats and young couples prefer the Mid-Levels area .

Hong Kong Passport

Please look at our visa and immigration services which should help you with your move.

Healthcare in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong public healthcare system is made up of hospitals, day hospitals, specialist clinics, general out-patient clinics, Chinese Medicine service and community outreach services.

Citizens, and those expats with a Hong Kong Identity Card, are entitled to subsidised service, but foreigners without residency must shoulder costs that are somewhat similar to fees incurred by private entities; services are charged at market rates.

Working in Hong Kong

Many expats move to Hong Kong with a job contract already in place.

The largest and most reputable companies tend to headhunt employees, and lure them abroad with high salaries and the promise of luxury living.

That said, even if you’re not one of the lucky international candidates recruited in advance, there’s an assortment of avenues that can lead to a well-landed job.

Cost Of Living in Hong Kong

The cost of living in Hong Kong for an expat can be somewhat on the high side. Listed 9th in Mercer’s 2011 Cost of Living Report, Hong Kong has an extremely overinflated property market, which makes finding accommodation an expensive endeavour to start with.

Add to that, the fact that the majority of produce and commodities have to be imported, and you tend to find that the necessities of life are generally more expensive in Hong Kong than in other cities.
All things considered though, the majority of expats are still financially better off living in Hong Kong than back at home.

After all, they wouldn’t really be here otherwise. The cost of living versus the quality of life is an equation that comes out with a positive result when applied to Hong Kong.

Looking for a school in Hong Kong

There are a large number of international schools in Hong Kong that teach British, American or Australian curriculum, and are attended by both foreigners and locals wishing for a foreign education.
There is also some choice, although more limited, for families from many other countries who wish that their little ones to continue with their national curriculum.

The University of Hong Kong

These include, but are not limited to, Canadian, Norwegian, French, German and Swiss schools.
There are also a few local schools that have English as a medium of instruction stream.

These should be carefully researched, as many local schools advertise English as the medium of instruction, but conduct the majority of their business in Cantonese.

Such schools would provide an added challenge for non-Chinese speaking children and parents.
The competitive nature of schools in Hong Kong means that private tutoring is very common.

Children often spend several hours before and after school attending tutoring sessions and music lessons to make themselves more attractive to the international schools.

Many expat families adopt this local practice in order to allow their children to keep up with their peers.
School years are typically from September to July. When living in Kowloon or the New Territories, most expat families choose an international school based on proximity to their home in order to cut commute time.

You may wish to take advantage of our school search services.

Interdean Hong Kong offices

We have our own offices in Hong Kong which comes under our sister company Santa Fe making sure we are with you every step of the way.