Are you planning Moving To Hong Kong? Hong Kong is a profound example of the coexistence of two robust concepts of capitalism and socialism under one roof. If you go and try to find one good thing about Hong Kong, you will find several others.
Hong Kong is considered the springboard of Asia from where you can reach any destination like Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and many more in just one direct flight. And it’s not only that, this Urban jungle is full of mesmerizing landscapes that cover almost 70 percent of the total area giving you an advantage of the countryside experience.
Furthermore, this country makes sure you never get bored of your daily routine; hence, in its pleasant weather and outskirt locations you can always go hiking, cycling, camping, or take beach barbecues and boat trips around 300 hills and 250 islands around the country.
When there are so many things to explore in Hong Kong, why limit yourself? Moving to Hong Kong from the US to get the advantage of million-dollar opportunities with the pleasure of a laid-back lifestyle.
Let’s get started with this 360-degree guide covering each dimension of Hong Kong to get you acquainted with this amazing city with the kindest heart for every Expat coming from different corners of the world.
Hong Kong is one of the technologically advanced countries in the Asian region with the lowest crime rates. As an American, moving to Hong Kong could be a complicated move. When you are heading towards the east from a developed country like the USA, there are numerous things that you need to make sure you get right before you commence your relocation to Hong Kong from the USA.
After New York and London, Hong Kong is considered one of the top financial centers globally. Therefore, the relocation process from any corner of the world is possible. Furthermore, free trade and low taxes make the relocation process more convenient for Expats from different countries and continents.
The average cost of moving to Hong Kong from USA is tentatively around $10,000 to $15000, and it can vary depending upon the total size of the Move. And as far as the required documents are concerned, make sure you prepare the following documents at the time you ship your belongings to the country.
Apart from these documents, the customs rules of Hong Kong are pretty strict about getting through with your shipment full of household items. Since Hong Kong is a duty-free port, one can ship all personal effects and household items duty-free, but the Hong Kong government would implicate various restrictions on a few items.
Therefore, it’s wise to contact your destination agent to check whether all the requirements have been met to avoid any conflicts even before the shipment is sent from the USA.
And once you reach there and relocate to Hong Kong from US completely, you will realize there are several local areas where you will see a beautiful combination of the old and new lifestyles. Most of the single Expats and young couples prefer to get a place in the Mid-levels area whereas, the Expats moving to Hong Kong with their families prefer staying in the southern part of Hong Kong.
Furthermore, The affluent-class Expats prefer renting an apartment or a condo in the suburban areas, which we will see in this guide’s accommodation and housing section.
If you feel stuck or feel bombarded with lots of information, get properly structured guidance from the experts of one of the best International Moving Companies Hong Kong and move forward in the right direction for your journey for moving to Hong Kong towards this wonderful south Asian country.
When other Asian countries were struggling, Hong Kong has significantly recorded significant economic stability even in such a pandemic, showing the robustness of the Hong Kong economy. The unemployment rates have been decreased to 5.5% from the sky-high 7.5% in 2021 by opening multiple doors of job opportunities in different industries making Hong Kong one of the top lucrative job markets.
Moreover, the GDP has also recorded a precise growth of 7.5% last year. These numbers drastically affect various domains’ salary ranges, including various job profiles.
The median salary is around $42000 in Hong Kong. However, it may vary depending upon your work profile. So, let’s dig deeper and check out the average salary range in Hong Kong to answer that prominent question of how much I would earn once I relocate to Hong Kong from US?
| Job Profile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Attorney | $171,500 |
| C Level Executive | $220,800 |
| QA Engineer | $166,000 |
| Pharmacist | $118,000 |
| Product Manager | $118,000 |
| Operations Manager | $111,000 |
| Financial Analyst | $103,000 |
| Physician | $92,500 |
| Mobile Developer | $95,000 |
| Copy Writer | $82,600 |
| Receptionist | $81,600 |
| Business Development | $78,120 |
| Architect | $63,000 |
| Research Scientist | $61,000 |
| Interior Designer | $58,200 |
| Nurse | $49,500 |
| Web Developer | $42,500 |
| Cashier | $18,500 |
Hong Kong offers world-class healthcare to its residents. From Public to private hospitals, you can get every kind of healthcare assistance just a few kilometers away from your home. Hospitals are equipped with advanced healthcare equipment with exclusive modern healthcare technologies. Although every good thing has its price, healthcare services in Hong Kong are a bit expensive compared to other developed countries.
Although, you will get two options to opt-in in accordance with your budget.
Any individual with a Hong Kong Identity card is entitled to subsidize medical services. However, for the foreign residents, the medical services have been charged based on the market rates; hence it would be wise if you opt for proper medical insurance before relying on any Healthcare services as it could put a huge dent on your monthly budget bar in case of any medical emergencies.
When it comes to high-end medical enhancements, no one can beat the private healthcare services of Hong Kong. It has thousands of private hospitals with international accreditation and standards.
Regarding rates, the private sector can be defined as extremely expensive compared to the public sector as those services fall under luxury healthcare services. However, if your insurance covers the cost, you should go for it as no other country can provide you with such impeccable medical assistance as Hong Kong Healthcare services.
In most cases, employers provide medical insurance to their employees. Hence, you can make some negotiations and make some arrangements for the healthcare subsidies at the time of joining. And this could give your pocket a small yet significant relief in case of medical emergencies for you or your family.
Hong Kong has been considered one of the most expensive cosmopolitan cities. With less floor space and more people, the housing rates can get pretty sky high. Although, finding a comfortable, safe neighborhood would not be that difficult for you if you do your research right before making any firm decisions about your moving to Hong Kong journey.
Moreover, there is no such thing as a ‘Bad Neighbourhood’ in Hong Kong as the crime rates are the lowest, so you do not need to worry about your and your family’s safety at the time of finding the accommodation. There are multiple options of broad areas that are Expat friendly and could come under your budget and match your taste if you love living in the urban areas.
Kowloon and Hong Kong Islands are some of the prime choices of the Expats. However, the Hong Kong Island area has pretty expensive rent rates compared to other areas. Compared to that, Kowloon has a pretty affordable rent structure and decent locality that gives you the local feel as it is the heart of the urban Hong Kong lifestyle.
On average, be prepared to spend around 12000 HKD to 20000 HKD for a one BHK house in a decent area. Due to the lack of space and the high number of inhabitants, the housing market is always competitive. Apart from that, you find more budget-friendly options as well.
If you are a fan of living in the outskirts in a tranquil environment, New territories are the perfect area for you. You will get plenty of rural villages, parks, and villa houses to balance the essence of nature and city lifestyle on an equilibrium point.
Typically, Americans who are moving to Hong Kong and willing to live in Hong Kong for less than 90 days do not require to take any sort of Visas for such short-term stay. Even if you are staying for a longer period, the visa process in Hong Kong is pretty convenient and straightforward compared to other countries overall.
Nevertheless, as an American citizen, you will require a visa if you are willing to establish yourself in Hong Kong for a long period, no matter if you are moving to Hong Kong for study purposes, job purposes, or establish your business there.
If you are moving to Hong Kong from USA with the purpose of employment purpose, getting a proper work visa should be the first thing on your priority list before even commencing your Move to Hong Kong from US. You can find numerous options in the work permits.
However, a General Employment Policy Visa is one of the common choices in the Expat community to opt for when they are moving for work purposes.
Apart from GEP Visa, you will also get a promising working holiday scheme visa widely known as a WHS visa. This Visa allows expats to take part-time jobs in Hong Kong while holidaying at other times and exploring the country and get the best of both worlds.
With the advantage of the dependent Visa, Expats can also bring their spouses and children under 18. The only condition is that the Expat should be able to illustrate they can give significant financial support to their dependents and take care of them for a long term.
Furthermore, once the Expat gains permanent residency, they can also apply for a Visa for their parents over the age of 60 under a dependent Visa.
Moreover, in order to get eligible to obtain a permanent residency, the Expat should have at least more than seven years of stay in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong has an excellent education structure, from primary level schooling to higher studies. The best part about the Hong Kong schooling system is that public schools are equally accredited as per the international standards of private schools. Even if your child doesn’t speak Cantonese, the warm teaching staff will not make them feel lonely and welcome them with an open heart.
The prominent difference between public and private schools is in the fees structure and curriculum. Public schools have a more conventional approach than being adaptive to the modern education system. Whereas the private schools have a more adaptive nature in terms of international schooling norms, the curriculum of these schools will be much more flexible and modern than the public schools of Hong Kong.
Nevertheless, no matter which approach or educational institutions the Expat selects for their kids, the education level would be of a prime quality, covering each aspect necessary for a child’s growth.
If you are moving to Hong Kong from USA with your kids and daily it is necessary to get acquainted with the basic structure of the Hong Kong education system, the first and second language taught in the primary and secondary school so it would be easier for you to find the right educational institute for your child as per its caliber and interest.
Furthermore, the universities in Hong Kong have gained an excellent reputation as one of the finest education systems providing profound masters, PGDM, and Ph.D. programs in various streams. Some of the top universities offering high-end education are
The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Lingnan University, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
One of the prominent traits of Hong Kong is its high-end affluent lifestyle. While the property prices are rocket-high, the necessary items like groceries and primary amenities do not come easy in your pockets.
Hence, plan your relocation / moving to Hong Kong from USA precisely considering the financial factor. One can find certain economical differences in Hong Kong and the USA. For instance, owning a car and getting driving insurance is considered a mundane necessity, whereas, in Hong Kong, it may be considered a luxury that not everyone can afford.
Let’s go through some figures that every Expat should go through before commencing the journey to Hong Kong in order to stay financially stable for a couple of months in the beginning, even if they could not secure a job for the initial period.
| Good/Service Expenses | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Meal for two in a restaurant | 500 HK$ |
| Local Transport Monthly pass | 500 HK$ |
| Gasoline (1 Litre) | 71 HK$ |
| Basic amenities(Heating, Cooling, Electricity) | 1832 HK$ |
| Broadband | 203 HK$ |
| 1 BHK Apt in city center | 17700 HK$ |
| International primary school fees for one child(yearly) | 148500 HK$ |
The lifestyle of Hong Kong can be a bit expensive for an American even compared to any other European or American city. However, if you plan your moving to Hong Kong journey carefully, you can definitely save some bucks and live a high-end lifestyle under your budget with a minimalist approach.
Hong Kong and the USA are like two poles apart in terms of lifestyle and basic infrastructure. And if you have not moved to any foreign countries before, the relocation process could be overwhelming for you. Therefore, it’s pragmatic to opt for one of the best Moving Company in Hong Kong to make the tricky part of moving as simple as possible for your moving to Hong Kong journey.
Connect with us and get the best-in-class international relocation services and jump-start your big moving to Hong Kong with the best cost-effective shipping rates available in the market!
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Yes, a US citizen can move to Hong Kong, but you will need to obtain the appropriate visa, such as a work visa, dependent visa, or student visa. Hong Kong is a popular destination for expatriates, offering a vibrant city life and numerous professional opportunities. EarthRelo’s Moving to Hong Kong services provide comprehensive support, including visa guidance, relocation logistics, and settling-in assistance, ensuring a smooth transition to your new home in Hong Kong.
The cost of living in Hong Kong is high, particularly in terms of housing. To live comfortably, a single person might need around HKD 40,000 to HKD 60,000 per month (approximately $5,000 to $7,700 USD), depending on lifestyle and housing choices. EarthRelo’s Moving to Hong Kong services include helping you understand the local cost of living and assisting with budgeting to ensure you can maintain your desired lifestyle.
Moving to Hong Kong can be challenging due to the high cost of living, visa requirements, and the need to adapt to a different cultural environment. However, with proper planning and support, the process can be manageable. EarthRelo’s Moving to Hong Kong services are designed to simplify the process, providing expert assistance with every aspect of your move, from securing a visa to finding housing and navigating local customs.
Moving to Hong Kong can be highly rewarding, especially for those seeking career opportunities in finance, business, or technology. The city offers a dynamic lifestyle, excellent public services, and a unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures. EarthRelo’s Moving to Hong Kong services ensure that your relocation is smooth and stress-free, allowing you to fully enjoy the benefits of living in this vibrant city.
A good expat salary in Hong Kong typically ranges from HKD 60,000 to HKD 100,000 per month (approximately $7,700 to $12,800 USD), depending on the industry and position. Higher salaries are common in sectors such as finance, law, and executive management. EarthRelo’s Moving to Hong Kong services include guidance on the local job market and salary expectations, helping you make informed decisions about your relocation.
Yes, Americans can buy property in Hong Kong, as there are no restrictions on foreign ownership. However, property prices in Hong Kong are among the highest in the world, so it’s important to be prepared for the financial commitment. EarthRelo’s Moving to Hong Kong services can assist you in navigating the property market, providing resources and support to help you find the right home and manage the purchasing process effectively.
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