6 Things Expats Wish They Knew Before Moving to Hong Kong

You may already have high expectations about food in Hong Kong, but many expats find it more varied and delicious than they imagined. Due to its history, Hong Kong cuisine has many different influences from around the world: mainly Cantonese as well as other Chinese cuisines and other East Asian influences such as Japanese and Korean, but there are also some Western-inspired dishes in Hong Kong's repertoire. Some typical Hong Kong dishes not to be missed include: wonton pasta, egg pancakes, and fish balls. To try these foods at the cheapest and most authentic prices, go to one of the street vendors instead of the restaurant. This also helps in supporting small businesses! Another classic dish in Cantonese is dim sum, which is a small dish served in steam baskets. Hong Kong boasts many Michelin-starred dim sum restaurants, so if you're feeling luxurious, go check them out!

2. Proper etiquette is everything

Knowing the right etiquette is key, not just when eating. It is important to show respect to everyone in your workplace and in public. There is always a hierarchy; in the work environment, it will be according to the position of people in the company and in social settings, the older guests are the most respected. You should always greet the older person first at the party; but remember that at smaller parties, you should wait until the host introduces you to everyone in person. If you receive an invitation for dinner or drinks from a colleague or boss, it's rude to turn it down. If you really can't show up on the suggested date, apologize and offer an alternative appointment. Similarly, it is impolite to refuse to offer drinks or snacks, so accept them gently. When you visit someone's house, it's customary to bring a gift. There are a lot of rules around bad gifts to bring, and unlucky colors or numbers to avoid when giving gifts, so look for them before you take a watch wrapped in white paper (both associated with funerals) to your boss's house! Also remember to give the gift with both hands and not to open your gift in front of you - this is considered impolite.

3. The cost of living in Hong Kong is high

Hong Kong is famous for its high cost of living. In fact, Hong Kong has ranked the worst in the world in the Expat Insider Cost of Living Index for two consecutive years now. This is partly due to the city's extremely high rental prices – Hong Kong ranks penultimate in terms of affordable housing, with 91% of expats feeling dissatisfied with affordability, compared to 72% worldwide. Another thing that can consume a lot of your money is food, especially if you eat out several times a day or week, which is quite normal practice in Hong Kong. The best way to save money is to enjoy local meals when you eat out, and of course by cooking your own food. One of the cheapest ways to get fresh produce is traditional "wet" markets. And if you're missing some of your favorite foods from home, you're in luck: there are plenty of international supermarkets where you can buy foods and brands from all over the world – but perhaps at a higher price than you're used to.

4. You should not have a language problem

Chinese and English are the official languages of Hong Kong, due to its history as a former British colony. The most common form of spoken Chinese is of course Cantonese, but there are other forms of language used by minorities in the city. Since English is a common official language in Hong Kong, expats who do not know Chinese should be able to cope well in the city. All signs and government information are in English. More than four in five expats (83%) agree that it is easy to live there without speaking the local language.

5. Hong Kong's transport is among the best in the world

One area where Hong Kong has received high scores in the Expat Insider 2019 survey is transportation, and is among the top 10 cities in this subcategory. Many expats mention public transport as one of the best things about living in Hong Kong: "Safety and transport are good – it's easy to get around," as one survey participant from South Africa participates. Hong Kong's transport system provides MTR (Mass Transit Rail), taxis, buses, minibuses and trams. There are also ferry routes connecting Hong Kong Island to the surrounding smaller islands and to the mainland. Take advantage of all the different modes of transport to visit a different part of the city every weekend!

6. A lot you can see and do in your free time

If you're working in Hong Kong, you probably won't have much free time, as the work week is much longer than in some countries.But that just means you have to make the most of the free time you have and go exploring! Hong Kong isn't particularly famous for its nightlife, however, there's still a lot to offer. There are many different party areas in the city, each with its own unique features. Lan Kwai Fong is the most popular area for party life for expats: it hosts many festivals including its own annual beer and music festival. Another popular area is Wan Chai, which now offers some British-style venues for any UK expat or party enthusiast who misses the British party style.