The former British colony of Hong Kong is still an attractive destination for expats, not least because it is still English speaking. You will therefore have some advantage as a native speaker, but more so if you also speak Cantonese or Mandarin.The official languages in the city-state are English and Chinese. However, there are two … Read more

One of the odd things about living in Hong Kong is that I get the chance to wish you all a happy New Year not once but twice, second time being for the Chinese version which we are celebrating at the moment. So there you have it, New Year with a double dose of happiness!Well, … Read more

Protest march, rally, riot, violence, revolution of our time, liberate Hong Kong, democracy, f**k the po-po, are not the sort of words or phrases I ever thought it would be necessary to learn in hitherto peaceful Hong Kong, indeed my Teach Yourself Chinese book is starkly lacking in this area. But, with the past weekends, … Read more

Hong Kong used to be considered a mecca for expats back in the day, but is that still the case? It’s no secret that the cost of living in Hong Kong has been skyrocketing over the years and that the job market changed completely in the late 90s after the city-state was handed back to … Read more

Are you in search of the ideal neighbourhood in Hong Kong? Here, we explore the myriad options available in the city, providing an overview of the best places to live, whatever your priorities.Mid-Levels The bustling Mid-Levels are the perfect compromise for expats living in Hong Kong. Great for employment opportunities and with a vast range … Read more

Hong Kong is one of the world’s most popular expat destinations. One estimate puts the population of internationally-born residents at nearly five percent of the total 7.1 million population. But in this crowded city, it’s all too easy to feel lonely.The former British outpost in the Far East was an important trading post for centuries, … Read more

An autonomous province located on the Pearl River Delta, the sovereign state of Hong Kong is Asia’s gateway to China. On the surface, this island city comes across as a highly modernised location, with its towering skyscrapers, booming industry, superior living standards, modern amenities, excellent nightlife and state of the art infrastructure. However, as you … Read more

Moving to a new location to live is an exciting prospect, but at the same time, it can also be daunting. One of the most crucial steps associated with moving to a new location is finding a place to live. This can be a tricky thing to pull off, especially for first-time expats, and some … Read more

In Hong Kong, the east meets the west, and at the root of its towering skyscrapers and fast paced life lie deeply held traditional values. Expats will find familiarity in certain aspects, while some may appear entirely foreign to them. In general, expats have found it easy to live in Hong Kong over the years, … Read more

Hong Kong is a meeting place of the East and West. Its landscape of skyscrapers exists alongside places of worship. Life here is highly modernized, but traditional Chinese practices are still carried out. This is evident even in the food choices, where both local dishes such as dim sum, and modern gourmet cuisine, can be … Read more

At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at Hong Kong and some of the social media accounts you should be following if you’re thinking of moving there.Expat Hong KongFacebook Group This community … Read more

Situated on the southern coast of China, the autonomous territory of Hong Kong is often referred to as the perfect combination of “East Meets West”. Chinese traditions have been strongly affected by a British influence all across the region.On the one hand, this vibrant island boasts all the modern conveniences you can expect in any … Read more

The multicultural population of Hong Kong consists of various communities that have their own beliefs and ideologies. The Chinese community, which forms the majority of the population, has three main religions – Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. The other major religious communities in Hong Kong include the Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus and Sikhs. This diversity is … Read more

At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at Hong Kong and some of the bloggers who write about living there. This Girl Abroadhttp://thisgirlabroad.com/ The blog of a Canadian expat who now lives … Read more

Hong Kong offers a wide variety of choices to those who love dining out. From swanky restaurants to tiny street stalls, eating out is a popular pastime here. Hong Kong has been influenced by Eastern and Western cultures and you have the opportunity to sample cuisines from different countries like Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, India, Europe … Read more

Hong Kong truly does have a charm of its own, but it’s a city of extremes in many ways and most visitors will either love it or hate it. It’s hard to sit on the fence when it comes to Hong Kong. The city is small but it has a thriving economy that is fiercely … Read more

Summers can be hot and humid, and it’s not uncommon for people to stay indoors for much of the summer. Temperatures can rise up to 35 degrees and the humidity hangs heavy over the entire city. The city’s many air-conditioned shopping centers serve as a cool haven in such weather. Hong Kong also witnesses a … Read more

The thought of moving to a place like Hong Kong can be thrilling yet intimidating for any expat. From its colonial past to its imposing modern skyline, this island city can be called Asia’s melting pot of culture and diversity. Apart from its “East Meets West” reputation, many visitors consider Hong Kong a place of … Read more

Hong Kong is a wonderful city to live in, with its beautiful nature reserves and marine parks on one hand and its modern cosmopolitan nature and thriving economy on the other. It’s also a great place for family life as there are plenty of exciting places to visit. Here are some family friendly things to … Read more

Hong Kong has more than 11,000 restaurants, of which 61 are Michelin-starred, serving a variety of cuisine, ranging from traditional dim sum to unique fusion culinary fare. To help you navigate through the maze of gastronomical creativity that is Hong Kong’s food scene, here is a list of five great restaurants for expats. RyuGin, West … Read more

Hong Kong has always been a popular expat destination. A major international financial center, this former British colony continues to see rapid industrialization, high growth rates and also continues to be an important cultural center. Here are 5 things you should know before moving to Hong Kong. Cost of Living Hong Kong is one of … Read more

As a product of 156 years of British colonial rule, Hong Kong has only been independent since 1st July 1997. In recent years, Hong Kong has undergone a sort of identity crisis, leaving some yearning for the days of British control. How much the city has changed is up to debate, as Brits and foreigners … Read more

Hong Kong lures expats from around the world in spite of its crowds and high cost of living. Like many cities around the world, each neighborhood in Hong Kong has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages. Hong Kong has retained much of its Western influence in some of these neighborhoods, offering comfort and a homely … Read more

Many expats arrive in Hong Kong without ever having had domestic help—especially live-in. And they’ve never held the role of private employer, so they aren’t aware of their legal obligations as employers. While there are many differences of opinion about the benefits and concerns regarding hiring a helper or amah, we’ll focus here on the … Read more

by Nancy Bach 1. Don’t wear your shoes in the house. This was a bit of advice we heard at the one and only orientation session we attended on our arrival in Hong Kong before we were thoroughly engaged in our working lives. It makes good sense. When you walk the streets of Hong Kong … Read more

by Nancy Bach Our three kids were ages four through nine when we arrived in Hong Kong. It wasn’t just a foreign country to them, but the whole “big city” situation was unknown. We constantly scouted out activities that gave them opportunities to enjoy hands-on outdoor fun. 1. Take the ferry. On our first days … Read more

by Nancy Bach It’s Sunday. Who are the lovely dark-haired, round-faced ladies chattering away at the Star Ferry terminal, in Victoria Park, under the Hong Kong Shanghai Bank? They are women from the Philippines on their day off from duties as amahs, or “little mothers.” One of them could be your new spouse. Most Hong … Read more

by Nancy Bach If you’re arriving for your Hong Kong expat assignment to coincide with the fall start of the school year, you’re hitting typhoon season in full force. Unless you’re used to hurricanes along the US coast, this may be a bit of a scare. Not to worry… We flew into Hong Kong at … Read more

by Nancy Bach If you’ve traveled many miles from home to Hong Kong, your world may be turned upside down, literally. So how do you deal with all the changes you meet in this foreign country? Some withdraw and try to wait it out, wallowing in homesickness. Some act as tourists, experiencing everything on the … Read more