PROS AND CONS OF LIVING IN HONG KONG AS AN EXPAT
In this post, we are listing the Pros and Cons of living in Hong Kong as an expat.
For many, Hong Kong is a fantastic place to live as an expat. However, like most places, nothing is perfect, and there are things you should consider before moving to Hong Kong.
If you have been reading our blog for a while or if you are following us on social media, you may already know that we lived in Hong Kong for many years.
Indeed, this is where we met, before moving to Singapore and getting married there.
Hong Kong has also changed a lot over the last few years. So if you are considering moving to Hong Kong, or just got a job offer but you are still unsure whether or not you should go, then this post is for you.
Did You Know?
East meets West: The region is known for its fusion of Eastern and Western cultures, evident in its food, festivals, and daily life.
– Geography: Hong Kong comprises Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories, and over 200 outlying islands!
– Population and Language: Hong Kong has a population of over 7 million people. Chinese (Cantonese) and English are the official languages.
– Political Developments: In recent years, Hong Kong has experienced significant political changes and challenges, including protests and debates over its degree of autonomy and the implementation of the National Security Law in 2020, which has impacted its political landscape and international relations.
Pros of Living in Hong Kong
1. Pro: Safety
Hong Kong is often ranked as one of the safest places in the world. We can’t recall when we ever felt in danger in Hong Kong.
Feel free to leave your phone and wallet on a table at a restaurant and no one will even look at it. If you lose something in the taxi, chances are that you will easily find it back and the taxi driver will keep everything for you. So if safety is one of your concerns, Hong Kong definitely ticks that box 100%!
2. Pro: Hong Kong is a vibrant place
You might not know that, but Hong Kong has one of the best nightlife in Asia. It may not have the same reputation as Tokyo or the craziness of Bangkok, but you will have lots of fun during your time!
Lan Kwai Fong is the heart of the city’s nightlife and comes alive pretty much every night. After work, the neighborhood transforms into a large open-air bar, with doors open and loud music from each bar. If you want something different, head to one of the best rooftops bar in the world, such as OZONE the highest bar in the world.
Full list of best rooftops in Hong Kong here.
3. Pro: Nature is everywhere
When you think of Hong Kong, you might not immediately think of untouched forests or long hikes.
However, at each turn, the unspoiled green spaces of the city are visible. Hong Kong is 70% nature, 30% city! Surprised right?
This is especially true on Hong Kong Island, where Victoria Peak (nicknamed The Peak by locals) is home to one of the city’s most popular boardwalks (with stunning views of Victoria Harbor and the city below).
Also Discover the Dragon’s Back, Lantau Island, Yin Tsz Ngam and Lamma Island. These are all accessible by bus, ferry, private boat or the MTR.
For more things to do in Hong Kong, check out this post.
4. Pro: Perfect mix of modernity and traditions
We’ve already mentioned that Hong Kong is the perfect mix of Modernity and Traditions which makes it an exceptional place to live for expats.
You could easily spend a few days visiting the temples of Hong Kong nestled in the mountains or surrounded by modern skyscrapers among peaceful parks.
Man Mo Temple is the perfect example of this contrast. Considered the oldest temple in the city, Man Mo is one of the gems of Sheung Wan. Tin Hau Temple and Po Lin Monastery are also unique and a must-see in Hong Kong to feel the tradition of this place.
5. Pro: No ban on common websites in contrary to mainland China
This is one of the main concerns when first-time travelers decide to visit Hong Kong: Can I use social media as usual? The answer is yes (at least for now).
Although Hong Kong is administered by China, it enjoys a special status and some of the more oppressive measures on the mainland do not apply in Hong Kong. Everything can be used normally, from Google to Facebook to WhatsApp and other messaging services available around the world.
6. Pro: So many things to do and visit in Hong Kong
Although Hong Kong is small in size, there are so many great things to do in the territory. For instance, we love watersports and Hong Kong has so many activities to offer. We used to surf, and wakeboard, we learned how to sail, we went kayaking and even snorkeling. The possibilities are endless!
If you enjoy nature, then you will be thrilled to know that there are so many hikes in Hong Kong. You can also go climbing, cycling, camping, canyoning and so much more. The list is endless.
Read: Best Places to Surf in Asia
7. Pro: Hong Kong is a convenient place to live with great transportation system
Basically, people in Hong Kong do not need a car. They just want to have a car for more convenience, but public transport will get you pretty much anywhere in no time!
The underground subway, called MTR, an ever-expanding network of clean and efficient train lines, runs through much of the city. Taxis are also everywhere and very cheap. During peak hours, MTR trains run every three minutes and the stations are safe, spacious, air-conditioned, and packed with shops.
For your convenience, make sure to get an Octopus card. Deposit some money or even link it to your bank account and you can pay pretty much anything with it. The Octopus card is a must-have in Hong Kong.
8. Pro: Hong Kong is a diverse place with large expat communities
Hong Kong is a diverse place with so many different nationalities mixing together. Europeans, Australians, Americans, Indians, Nepalese, Indonesians, Filipinos, and Pakistanis all live here in sizable numbers.
This means that in most parts of the city, you won’t be the only stranger, which will go a long way in helping many travelers feel at home. Expect international food and drinks in the most popular areas, especially in downtown and Soho.
9. Pro: World-Class Education
Hong Kong offers world-class education, marked by its high standards of teaching, a wide array of subjects, and a focus on both academic and personal development. This excellence in education can be attributed to several key factors:
- International Recognition: Hong Kong’s universities consistently rank among the top in the world. Institutions like the University of Hong Kong (HKU), The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) are renowned for their research output, academic excellence, and global outlook.
- Bilingual Education System: The education system in Hong Kong emphasizes bilingual proficiency in English and Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), providing students with a competitive edge in a globalized world. English, being an official language, is widely used in higher education and business, making Hong Kong an attractive destination for international students and professionals.
10. Pro: Travel Hub
Hong Kong serves as a major travel hub in Asia, offering an extensive network of flights to destinations worldwide, thanks to its strategic geographical location and world-class facilities.
Situated on the southeastern coast of China, Hong Kong is at the crossroads of the Asia-Pacific region. This makes it a convenient gateway for travelers.
The Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is one of the busiest and most efficient airports globally, providing flights to over 180 destinations worldwide.
Cons of Living in Hong Kong
1. Con: Extremely dense
Hong Kong is called the vertical city, due to its many skyscrapers. With more than 30,000 inhabitants per square kilometer, some districts of Kowloon, including Mong Kok, are among the most densely populated in the world. To make it even worse, apartments in Hong Kong are among the smallest in the world – around 470 sq. feet on average.
We always joked that in 1 building there are more people living than in the village where Guillaume is coming from in France. And it’s actually true! If you are used to big open spaces, then you might feel cramped for the first few weeks in Hong Kong… It takes time to adjust to big crowds in a tiny place.
If you are wondering about the best places to live in Hong Kong, check out this post.
2. Con: Hong Kong is often ranked the most expensive city in the world
Hong Kong is the place where parking place sells at USD 1.3 million. You don’t believe us? Well, check out this recent article here. In June 2021, someone bought a parking place for a whooping USD 1.3million at the Peak, one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Hong Kong. Crazy, right?
Another crazy fact is that in Hong Kong golf carts cost more than a Porsche or Tesla. This is the case in Discovery Bay, where cars are not allowed and licenses for driving a golf cart are limited to certain numbers. Some golf carts sold for half a million dollars! Yup, that’s true. It’s hard to believe, hence check out this article published by Bloomberg.
It is perhaps not surprising that Hong Kong is so expensive. After all, this is a city where you can find two Gucci stores on the same street. It is where luxury malls are attached to luxurious hotels, and almost every street seems to be full of luxurious cars.
So our advice when living in Hong Kong is to carefully manage your budget. Dining out, or having a drink on a rooftop (best rooftops here) can cost you a lot of money.
3. Con: The climate is hot and humid!
When people in Hong Kong talk about summer, they mean the season from late April to late October. The climate here is officially known as the humid subtropical climate. In a nutshell, it is hot and humid… Humidity is what gets you, even at night! So having an air-conditioner at your place is a must.
To make matters worse, Hong Kong is also prone to typhoons… Expect a few typhoons every summer which sometimes completely shut down the city. There are also days with “black rain” warnings. This is super heavy rain, so going outside is nearly impossible.
When moving to Hong Kong, make sure to download one of the best weather apps in the world especially made for Hong Kong called: Hong Kong Observatory (link to app store here).
4. Con: Be ready to work hard (play hard)
Forget about the normal 9-5 when working in Hong Kong. The concept of overtime doesn’t really exist and people are ready to work through the night if necessary! In Hong Kong both of us worked tirelessly. Although it was a lot, everyone is so committed to their work which is also motivating in a way!
On top of that, working hard doesn’t mean people don’t enjoy their private life. The concept of Work Hard – Play Hard is lived by many in Hong Kong. Afterwork drinks and dinner with friends during the week, hiking or other sports during the weekend, you will never get bored!
5. Con: Air Pollution
Unfortunately, the air quality in Hong Kong is not too good. Of course, there are many blue sky days with beautiful sunshine but expect many hazy days too… However, Hong Kong is not the only city in Asia facing this kind of issue.
Air quality in many Asian cities is not great. We recommend downloading the app IQAir or going to their website here. You can then see the air quality and the forecast for the next few days.
6. Con: Political Tension
Recent years have indeed witnessed escalating political tensions and unrest in Hong Kong, significantly impacting the city’s social fabric, its international reputation, and the daily lives of its residents.
These tensions have roots in concerns over the erosion of the “one country, two systems” principle that was promised under the Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984, which guaranteed Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy, rights, and freedoms for 50 years after its handover from Britain to China in 1997.
Conclusion about the Pros and Cons of living in Hong Kong
Like in any country in the world, there are things we like and things we don’t like. However, having lived in so many different countries now, we learned that we always adapt and adjust ourselves to the places we live. Ultimately the good things will prevail. And the things we didn’t like made up for some good and fun stories back home.
Living in a new country is always a fantastic experience. We always enjoy the first few months, when everything is new, every day we learn about something else and we can’t wait to talk about our new life with our friends and family back home.
If you ever have the chance to move to Hong Kong, do not hesitate. It is a great place to live, with plenty of things to do and see. It is the occasion to discover a unique culture, with fantastic traditions, lots of things to do, and a vibrant place in Asia.
We hope that you found this post useful about the pros and cons of living in Hong Kong. We wrote many posts about Hong Kong. You can check them all out by clicking here.
How would you compare the air pollution of HK vs Seoul? Which has more frequent grey and hazy days?
Hi Helios, having lived in both places, we definitely feel that the pollution is worse in Seoul. South Korea gets an extremely high level of yellow dust a few times a year which is pretty bad…
Thanks. That was my impression too from looking at aqicn history. How is it outside the yellow dust “season”? Going outdoors for hikes or snow sports, are nice blue skies common or rare? Does it get better away from Seoul or is the problem country-wide?
I’m in HK and looking for a change, and Seoul is one possibility for me (Tokyo is another). But even here in HK I’m tired of the smog in winter (but with comfortable temperatures) or the sweltering summers (but with beautiful blue skies).
Actually Seoul gets clear blue sky most of the year. There is a rainy season in summer for about 2 weeks, and some snowy days in winter, but most of the time it is very sunny. Appart from that, you also have 4 beautiful very distinct seasons in Korea, which is also very exiting! That’s the good part about Korean’s weather.
It usually gets very bad around Spring with yellow dust all around the country (not only in Seoul). The pollution is not really generated from heavy traffic or so, but apparently the majority is coming from China’s industry and usage of coal, depending on the wind direction…
The pollution’s peaks usually last a few days and everyone is encouraged to limit outdoor activities due to that.
In 2018 the pollution was really bad, but the last 2 years it got a bit better…
We enjoyed plenty of outdoors activities throughout the year, the air pollution didn’t really prevent us from any activities. We just try to be aware of it and more careful…