Just a few months in the past, I made a decision to maneuver to Hong Kong from my lifelong residence of Cincinnati, Ohio. I had not too long ago reconnected (on Fb) with a cute lady from my highschool homeroom whom I hadn’t seen in particular person since 1985. Since I’ve by no means been married, don’t have any kids and run my very own web company that permits me to work from wherever on the earth, I made a decision to make an preliminary go to to test it out. It solely took me a number of days to understand that I wished to stay in Hong Kong.
After extending my two week go to to 4 weeks, I returned again to the states to tie up a number of unfastened ends. I bought or gave away most of my personal belongings and decreased my possessions to what would snugly match into two suitcases. Being 43 years old and having your life decreased to what suits into two suitcases was a surreal and surprisingly liberating. A month later, I used to be off to Discovery Bay in Hong Kong for a brand new life expertise. For anybody who’s contemplating making such a transfer, I want to share a number of observations and suggestions.
Foreign money: The Hong Kong authorities makes use of “Honk Kong “. For those who’re used to US forex, making the transition is definitely fairly straightforward. The present alternate fee is roughly 7.eight%. In easy phrases, because of this a pack of cigarettes that prices HK $39.00 interprets to about $5.00 within the states. Since I am not likely sharp in relation to math, I discovered a straightforward method to convert HK to US . As an instance you see a pizza on a menu that’s HK $100.00. How a lot is that this in US ? What I discover to be a straightforward method to convert is to first decide what 10% of the worth is. On this case, 10% of $100.00 is $10.00. Then, I add about 25% of the $10.00, which is $2.50. So, the pizza that prices HK $100.00 is about $12.50 in US . If need to purchase flat screen tv that’s on sale for HK $8000.00, I take 10% of the 8k, which is $800.00. Then, I add 25%of the $800.00 which is $200.00. So, the HK $8000.00 flat screen tv is about $1000.00 US company secretary in hong kong.
One other factor to recollect about Hong Kong is that there isn’t a gross sales tax. As well as, tipping in eating places is uncommon. It appears unusual at first to not tip or to simply depart the change behind for the service, however servers and bartenders in Hong Kong are often paid a pleasant wage or hourly wage – not like within the states. Strive leaving a $5.00 tip for a $200.00 dinner in a New York restaurant and see what occurs!
Transportation: Many adults in Hong Kong have by no means pushed a car. They merely need not. Hong Kong is great as a result of it’s such an orderly and arranged metropolis. Mass transportation is protected, clean, handy and really reasonably priced. It is rather straightforward to get a taxi, take the subway (often known as the “MTR”), take a ferry or hop on a bus. Although Hong Kong is a part of China, it’s overflowing with English-speaking ex-pats from all around the world. In consequence, 99% of the indicators are in English, which makes it extraordinarily straightforward to get round. The not-so-obvious benefit of Hong Kong’s mass transit system is that whenever you’re not driving, you’ll be able to do different issues akin to learn, examine e-mail, nap, and so forth. It is a large stress-reducer that most individuals do not take into account. Think about having an additional two hours to your self every day!
Climbing: I presently stay in Discovery Bay, which is a neighborhood on Lantau Island. I usually examine DB to Hawaii and downtown Hong Kong to New York Metropolis. In different phrases, I get to expertise the very best of each worlds. The beauty of dwelling right here is that we will hike all around the island to totally different communities, a lot of that are very Chinese language and comparatively primitive. For those who love the outside and like to be lively, there are numerous alternatives to get out of the town and expertise Chinese language tradition on foot.
Proximity to different nations: I am used to dwelling in Ohio, which is just about land-locked. Hong Kong, on the opposite hand may be very near mainland China, Philippines, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand. Many individuals that I’ve encountered in Hong Kong are very world-traveled. It isn’t unusual to fulfill individuals who have visited 10, 15 or 20 nations. In just some months right here, I’ve made buddies from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, South Africa and Baltimore. It truly is a melting pot right here and there may be by no means a uninteresting second.
Residency: While you enter Hong Kong, immigration stamps your passport which lets you go to the area for 90 days. For those who plan on staying longer, there are a number of methods to develop into a resident. In case your company within the states sends you right here for business, you are good to go along with a piece visa. If you’re right here and are employed by a company, you’re going to get a piece visa as nicely. For those who plan on beginning a business, you’ll need to current your plan to immigration and procure an “funding visa”. Do not do that by yourself. Contact or go to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and they’re going to introduce you to an accounting agency who makes a speciality of presenting business plans for approval to immigration. For those who meet a resident and also you fall in love, then you possibly can keep for good when you’re married!
Residing in Hong Kong is superior. My solely remorse is that I waited 43 years to enterprise out of my consolation zone in Ohio. It is by no means too late to set off on a brand new life journey. Life is brief, so when you’ve got all the time had the need to discover this stunning planet, take into account trying out Hong Kong. It is totally different, however not so totally different that the tradition shock can be an excessive amount of to deal with.