Cost of living in HK

MaxPower · #1 (**permalink**) 21st March 2011, 08:22 PM

Struggling with the offer for the position. Total comp while there is equal to total comp I have here, but I would have to maintain two households for one year.

Office in Quarry Bay, not sure how to counter the offer to make it work. Would save some US$ not commuting there, but not sure how much it costs to live in HK for one year. I know it is a general inquiry, but I am only looking for general, ballpark figures. Would look for studio in Quarry Bay/North Point, fly back and forth to US once, and live by myself for one year in HK. And rough estimates on how much one year of living in HK would be?

JWilliamson · #2 (**permalink**) 22nd March 2011, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxPower

Struggling with the offer for the position. Total comp while there is equal to total comp I have here, but I would have to maintain two households for one year.

Office in Quarry Bay, not sure how to counter the offer to make it work. Would save some US$ not commuting there, but not sure how much it costs to live in HK for one year. I know it is a general inquiry, but I am only looking for general, ballpark figures. Would look for studio in Quarry Bay/North Point, fly back and forth to US once, and live by myself for one year in HK. And rough estimates on how much one year of living in HK would be?

Hello, I am from Miami, USA. The rent in Miami is much less expensive than it is in Hong Kong. I lived in a 4,000 sq ft house back in Miami and now I am paying the same amount for rent but in Hong Kong I am living in a 500 sq ft apartment that if you look at it from outside and in, it will seem I am living in the bad side of Miami. Crime is low and I had no problems but it looks like it would be cause of how old the building is and no paint. Rent will be the most expensive then electricity and good food. JW (forget about getting a car)

dunmovin · #3 (**permalink**) 22nd March 2011, 06:44 AM

JW is right about the car. It's a bigger hassle than you need, unless you plan to live out in the NT, then it is a requirement. The public transport system is fast, cheap and reliable, so dont limit the place you live by being close to the workplace.

Costs per year..... way to vague to give any advice. It all depends on your expectation of how you want to live. If you want a "flash" place in Quarry Bay/ Central/ Mid levels, expect the rental to include your right arm and your Grandfathers right testicle. Or you could have a place in a less expensive area.

Commute cost only become a problem(s) when you try run a car to work ( a years parking charges alone would buy a small car + the stress related issues of handling HK traffic.... and being the slowest way to get from point A to Point B)

I disagree with JW on the point of the price of good food.It can be found at decent prices...you just have to know where to look

JWilliamson · #4 (**permalink**) 22nd March 2011, 06:57 AM

Hi dunmovin, I agree with you and what I meant by good food is like eating at Ruth Cris and eating a lobster dinner. Yes I can eat noodles and rice for almost nothing. JW

dunmovin · #5 (**permalink**) 22nd March 2011, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWilliamson

Hi dunmovin, I agree with you and what I meant by good food is like eating at Ruth Cris and eating a lobster dinner. Yes I can eat noodles and rice for almost nothing. JW

not just rice and noodles JW, you're forgeting the marvellous seafood in either Sok Ku Wan on lama island or Sai Kung (if you go out there, try any of these 4 restaurants Sauce, Anthony's catch, Jaspa's, Hebe 101 for western style food). Sure if you eat at places like the Peak cafe it can be expensive.

And for good old comfort food "Ned Kelly's last stand" in Lock Rd in TST

I will agree that the price of drinks is verging on "silly money"

MaxPower · #6 (**permalink**) 23rd March 2011, 10:23 AM

I am assuming that living in HK is like living in NYC. Never even considered a car as part of the equation.

Not wanting to live like a king for a year. Expect rent to be anywhere between 8k and 15 per month for a 500-600 sq ft studio, which is fine. Going to be working most of the time, anyway. Wondering about utilities, phone calls back to US, etc. I somehow have to come up with the $ I think I need for the year. Not going to be eating at Ruth's all the time.

On top of the (let's say) $15k for rent, sounds like 50-60k more for expenses.

JWilliamson · #7 (**permalink**) 24th March 2011, 01:11 AM

Max, you are on spot! Enjoy it and it would be good for you to learn the language. JW

MaxPower · #8 (**permalink**) 29th March 2011, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWilliamson

Max, you are on spot! Enjoy it and it would be good for you to learn the language. JW

does that 60-75k include the rent, or in addition to the rent?

MaxPower · #9 (**permalink**) 29th March 2011, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxPower

does that 60-75k include the rent, or in addition to the rent?

And I'm assuming that we are talking the actual cost of the expenses, and not the gross salary needed to be able to cover them.

So, between 15 and 20 for rent and another 60 for expenses, we are looking at a million take-home just for living expenses? Seems kinda high.

JWilliamson · #10 (**permalink**) 30th March 2011, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxPower

And I'm assuming that we are talking the actual cost of the expenses, and not the gross salary needed to be able to cover them.

So, between 15 and 20 for rent and another 60 for expenses, we are looking at a million take-home just for living expenses? Seems kinda high.

8 to 15 for rent. Tung Chung has some nice flats with a great in door pool and a huge out door poool. JW