Moving to Hong Kong

Known as the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ it’s not just the picturesque views that may attract you to Hong Kong. Moving to Hong Kong puts you at the forefront of one of the world’s major financial centres and the fourth most densely populated country.

Hong Kong is a vibrant city with a blend of Chinese and Western influences. Once a British colony, Hong Kong has lived as a special administrative region of China since 1997 under the ‘one country, two systems’ principal. Thus, it is politically and economically independent from China.

Hong Kong is known for its tall skyscrapers and active nightlife, yet you can also find plenty of green spaces and mountains like Victoria Peak. Weather here is generally warm all year long, making it an ideal place to enjoy the outdoors. With such a great, inexpensive transport, you can easily move around Hong Kong exploring its ancient Buddhist temples, busy harbour and more.

Finding accommodation

Accommodation in Hong Kong tends to be small and quite expensive. The closer you are to the city centre or the newer the building, the higher the price. You can choose to either lease or buy a flat or house, depending on your needs.

There are various real estate agents in Hong Kong. Some handle luxurious properties while others dedicate themselves to budget-friendly places. Some local agents are limited to certain areas. Usually people work with multiple agents to find the best ones.

Education

Hong Kong’s education system can be categorised, in general, into three main types of schools: government schools, aided schools and private schools. Government and aided schools are free and private receive financial assistance from the government.

Children must attend primary school once they reach the age of 6 and must complete secondary school before the age of 19.

International schools vary in their teaching style. They can be quite competitive to enter and very expensive. Most follow an English-based curriculum with British, American, Canadian and International Baccalaureate programme.

Culture

Cantonese and English are considered the official languages of Hong Kong, though Cantonese is the most widely spoken language. Road signs and shop fronts tend to be written in both languages. Mandarin is also spoken alongside these two languages, .

Holidays in Hong Kong are a blend of western and traditional Chinese festivals. Events such as Christmas and Halloween are widely celebrated alongside the more traditional Ching Ming Festival, Cheung Bun Festival and Chinese Lunar New Year.

Good to Know

With one of the most efficient transportation systems, getting around is easy and cheap. When moving to Hong Kong, taxis, MTR subway system, ferries, buses, minibuses, trams and trains can take you to wherever you need to go.

Everyone over the age of 11 is required, by law, to register for an ID card. To acquire one, you’ll need your valid travel documents, passport, entry permit, one-way permit or residential status.

The weather in Hong Kong can be quite humid for most of the year, but you’ll find it easy to cool off as most places have indoor air-conditioning.

Santa Fe Relocation is the local and international moving company that specialises in moves to Hong Kong.