I know it is expensive to live in Hong Kong, but besides the cost of housing, is everything else cheap (food, shopping, etc..)??
2007-05-21 06:50:06 · 8 answers · asked by john m 2 in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ China
Not everything is expensive in HK, including housing.
In addition, the government do provide some assistance and benefits although mostly only to the permanate residents.
But it's not all gold and silver in the daily life. e.g. A modest 2 bed room flat in the lesser areas can be rented for US$500-600. Decent meals can be as cheap as US$4. A men's shirt for US$10. Trousers for US$12. Suits for under US$100. Daily pubic transport range from US$2-4. etc.
The taxes are low. The more expensive items are the alcohol, tobacco, cosmetics, fuel and utilities.
In general, an independent expate can have a modest life with around US$3500 in gross monthly salary. Less if you share housing and expenses. Even less once you know the city and where you can economize and budget.
2007-05-21 23:37:07 · answer #1 · answered by minijumbofly 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends on where you are coming from and what you want to do. In general, shopping and food is going to be more expensive than what you get in the rest of asia. However there are still nice little shops and hawker centers that you can get cheaper food and cheap shopping if you are not too picky. Hong Kong is like any other crowded city where you can get both ends of the spectrum.
2007-05-21 06:57:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on where you want to compare with.
Comparing with US:
- housing - expensive and small.
- public transportation - cheaper, but this is still a HIGH cost, depending on which part of HK you live and work. (An over 1 hour communte in US is common, this will be some cost for transportation in HK.)
- food - CHEAP - You get a pretty good lunch for 3 USD.
- clothes - CHEAP - If you don't need certain brand, it is much cheaper in HK.
Prices of cars are expensive in HK, but car is not a necessary thing.
2007-05-21 07:02:45 · answer #3 · answered by cmui1978 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on your lifestyle. 5-7 k for a small one bedroom of around 500 sq ft is possible in some older, busier (not strictly for residential) locations. It you want nicer, quiet residential areas it will be around 9k. The rent has gone down abit since the financial crises began, nowadays it's the tenants' market. After the lease expires, do not be shy to re-negotiate direct with your landlord to have the rent reduced for a renewal and you'll be surprised that sometimes you may be able to get up to half reduced if you're a good tenant ie always paying your rent on time, dont give too much troubles to your landlord, etc.
2016-05-18 23:47:27 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
compared to California, housing would be around the same amount but smaller. I'm paying around USD $1100 for rent per month for a 630sq ft. unit.
Food is cheaper. Tipping in restaurants is also less. 10% gratuity is included in bill, whereas, it's common to tip at least 15% in SF. You don't have to tip in small cafe style restaurants & noodle houses. Groceries are also less expensive, especially live seafood.
Shopping, if not name brand, is more afforadable here in HK.
Since I don't drive anymore, public transportation is something that I had to get used to. But it's very fast, convenient and accessible compared to CA. Not expensive either.
2007-05-21 14:42:13 · answer #5 · answered by LIHK 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not quite. food at the convience store is pretty cheap. food in nice restaurants are more expensive than the food at nice restaurants here. clothes cost about the same as here in america.
2007-05-21 17:12:42 · answer #6 · answered by sellatieeat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on where you live and eat.
2007-05-22 02:36:32 · answer #7 · answered by White Shooting Star of HK 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ur mom is cheap
2007-05-21 06:53:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋