I really think HK is unique, no place like it in the world. But one has to be honest and be able to see where each person is talking from.... If you are an expat, you most probably are in a very selective group, you are highly educated, skilled and probably with money; you are not "average" in HK, you are way above average, you could be anywhere in the world and still be successful. But being an expat is not the same as being an immigrant. The people coming from the mainland and living in subdivided flat struggling to raise a family and keeping up with education, rent, extra curricular activities, etc....those are immigrants. The weight and stress that HK people carry they too will carry. Expats are perennial outsiders (usually) they could be 20 or even 30 years and never learn the language, never mix with the "natives" and always live in a condition of privilege. They will go to a restaurant and get upset if the staff does not speak English. So yes, HK is great, dynamic, cosmopolitan, worldly, intense, etc, etc, etc; but we all have to appreciate that these people (the expats) are very far from the average "native" HK-er. When you got means and are part of the 1%....anyplace is a good place.
You are definitely right. If they are expats, as long as they can make money, they will stay. In any case, m they can leave and back to their home country easily. But to be honest, they contributed to the part of success of Hong Kong, so probably Hong Kong needs them to stay
"I really think HK is unique, no place like it in the world. But one has to be honest and be able to see where each person is talking from...." - Yes HK is unique, great food. Although I prefer the Wanton Mee from my country Malaysia than HK (Sorry). As for the city landscape I prefer China's as seen in this 302 video playlist here. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CNeZOe3169E.html "But being an expat is not the same as being an immigrant.The people coming from the mainland and living in subdivided flat struggling to raise a family and keeping up with education, rent, extra curricular activities, etc....those are immigrants. The weight and stress that HK people carry they too will carry" -Mainland Chinese are not immigrants. They are your long lost cousins caused by the Brits who occupied Hong Kong for 150 years. Hong Kong was ceded to UK because the Chinese lost the Opium War when they try to stop the British from selling heroine (opium) to destroy the Chinese society because the Brits refused to pay silver but with opium for their imports. "They will go to a restaurant and get upset if the staff does not speak English" - Bingo!, As a result, young HK strived to be "white" carrying US and UK flags and singing their national anthems during the riots and this prompt Nancy Pelosi infamous anti-Chinese statement - "It is a beautiful sight to see" when she sees all the chaos in the riots. "When you got means and are part of the 1%....anyplace is a good place" - 100% AGREED.
So damn true😢 I keep thinking the reason why they don’t need to learn Cantonese even if they have been living and working here for 20 years. And they are earning lots of money compare to local people. Of course it’s the best city for living, high income, high in the social staus, they even dont fucking need to recognise one traditional chinese word because local people pander to their mother language
@@cheungk4671 Well, basically, yeah....But I would be less harsh. At least they are honest, at a level, by admitting they are "outsiders". But we have to recognize that Asians, Chinese in particular, tend to do the same thing, even if they are immigrants.... It is easy for Chinese people to stay inside their "china bubble" (Chinatown and neighborhoods) and never integrate to the country in general.
Hong Kong is the best place to stay. Most of my childhood days, I spent in HK, the best memories. It been over a decade I have not visited HK. Speaking about Covid restrictions, yes they many be tough, but then HK provides you much more than any other place. Hope to be back and settle in HK. The people, culture, climate, the geography it's all amazing. Love from India 🇮🇳.
You've gotta be joking! These are the most cherry-picked interviews I've seen in a long time! Go talk to someone outside of Central! LOL! Also, go take a look at the IRD (tax) office and see the lines and lines and lines of people out the door to file their final tax to leave the city! You interviewed a bunch of rich foreigners living and working in Central! Hardly a representative sample--and no one with families?! What a joke!
@@clarkl7027 inflation? electric, gas bills and petrol are expensive. But my job here is good. in HK, no one gave me a chance. I had planned to be a Taxi driver before moving to the UK. and I also passed the taxi driver test. in the UK, a lot of companies would give me chances. My salary here is considered well-paid.
@@MrWong-kk6cv I am good. I earn more than the time in HK. Planning to buy a house. In HK, I can't afford. with my current job, I can borrow enough money to buy a 3-room house. never thought about buying a house in HK. I bought a used car here. After buying a house, I want to buy a electric car.
The only unwelcome expats are those working for NED backed NGOs, and after the security law was implemented, most left with their tail between their legs. Brian Kerr, aka Kong Tsun Gan is now doing the rounds in London, too gutless to face charges in HK.
I’m leaving next month after 14 years here .. love this city till late and can’t wait to leave soonest possible. HK today is what you wish for China … the old HK will Be miss dearly
Not at all, actually have you been to China recently? Your argument sounds so biased and actually for the ones who have been to China recently, Hong Kong is not developing as faster and in some parts is even behind China.
as long as you take the medicines and track and trace apps and like being quarantined if you try to return from foreign holiday. Still loving it in the mask too I guess
@@gevons Is it not the same Chinese Communist Party that still got the same doctrine and way of doing things for decades, regardless how their economic policies might have changed, their political doctrine and nepotism have not change?
@@rayngmelb By that token does the US not hold the same ideals with the same democratic parties, the same level of nepotism, the same level of systemic racism since its founding in 1776? During the times of slavery they had the 2nd amendment for the right to bear arms. Has their hypocrisy changed since it was only applicable to the white folks? No. Are we in a civil war. No (civil division - arguably) . The world is forever evolving and thats something not even the great CCP can change my friend. Chinese revolution sure sucked but was being poisoned by Queen Victoria albeit willingly for such a long time, comparatively better? Unfortunately history is often forgotten and ppl ppl only focus on what they have been pigeon holed into. That is exactly why history repeats itself. Living in Shenzen pre COVID sure beats living in West Virginia lol hell or even Skidrow in LA. But I digress. PEace ✌🏻
@@gevons You have to go back over 100 years to find out what WAS wrong with the West, we can see what's wrong with China Right Now, what's more Covid had clearly shown us their colours. Quite frankly, if Britannia didn't rule the waves, you wouldn't be typing your post in English and Hong Kong will only be back water of China today.
Lived in HK for over 12 years but due to the incompetent government and the damage they have done to the children on the education front due to their no logic Covid policies, we had to leave. Not bothered about the NSL, but these Covid restrictions became too much.
@@nunosampaionunes2334 Yes I read something that now if you come from HK you ONLY have to quarantine seven days in Macau 😂😂😂😂 They really are proper thickos in government here in both HK and Macau
Dual or multi-citizenship will soon be removed from HK. Assimilation into China will be decades earler than what was agreed upon. If you are a HK resident with one or more other citizenships, you must decide when he time comes. It will be soon.
Hong Kong, despite some things (like Covid is temporary) is not great but it still is one of the best cities in the world, there’s really nothing exactly like it, and also esp the low tax ;)
Covid is not temporary. You need to understand covid is never intended to end. Covid is a new source of power for authorities. Many are still not able to realise the power grab covid is
People always have choices. If you feel it's not a place for you, leave. Otherwise, you'll find the people in HK are very welcoming to anyone who want to stay and work there. It's a vibrant and dynamic city that many would find this place unique and one of a kind in the world.
one can have a very good life in HK. it is convenient, safe, interesting and you can get domestic helper easily. HK enjoys all western and Chinese festivities . A taxi is available in 2 mins anywhere you go within the city ! And you can enjoy all types of food from street stalls to Michelin .....
take the jabs and wear the mask and no you still can not leave and return without quarantine. Agree to tracking apps that split family and friends. Disgusting regime the covid gig is used for
Those are not maids. Those are second wives ! Stop this nonsense!... And those white guys who bring in polygamy Indonesian women need to stop. Enough is enough ! I want to see more Western restaurants with Westerners serving in Cantonese like most English people do in the UK that are Cantonese!...
As a person who grew up in hong kong if you don't care about politics and stuff, it's a pretty nice place to live, easy to live and good education too. Freedom of speech? Well what are we not allowed to say really? Most of us are chill here, yes I will admit selfish but at least we're not doing terrible things. It's a safe place here I'd say
People worried about freedom of speech just don’t want to admit it. They want to reserve the right to overthrow the Chinese government while using Hong Kong as a launch pad for their pot shots. I b***h and moan about HK’s government all the time. They held on to the Covid restrictions for way too long. Never had a problem with the law. NSL, other countries have had them for centuries. Catalonia is the perfect example of a modern country expressing its intolerance for secessionists.
@canto_v12 A typical Loser comment. You think you're gonna be treated differently in another country if you want to overthrow the government? Grow up m*ron
From an outsider, it will still be a good place for business/life but not as great as before. Moreover, you noticed those who praised a lot are those who has been there for 20-30 years. Trying asking more of those who been there
I also used to be an expat but settled down then. HK is my home now, just like Wakin Chau's song lyric "一生最好歲月也深種在這裡". I am not sure how the city will evolve in the future but I will definitely stay.
It’s ridiculous some of those FOBBY expats didn’t care about the 2019 political movement about the future of HK more than whether they can go to bars and being able to travel, it’s humiliating
i disagree, there were foreigners who also got arrested for protesting in 2019...also considering how racist some HK ppl are in their criticism of BLM, it's ironic they expect the rest of the world to support them when they themselves don't really support anyone besides themselves. no hate to HKers, i have many kind friends there, but it's unrealistic to expect people to support your cause without providing anything in return.
Well....I get your point, but not everybody is interested in politics....Maybe HK people didn't care and continue to not care about politics and the HK-China relations. But more importantly, I think it is an issue of knowing your "role". Expats are not Immigrants. Expats are eternal outsiders....they are only guests in the place. When the going gets tough, they will get going (home). In each of our countries, we would not like it if suddenly we hear and saw opinions and activism of "foreigners" (not immigrants) on political issues....At least one side would call for deportation.
@@robertopang4240 Most people don't care about politics! For example in the US, 40% Americans don't vote. People care about making $$$, safety, education for the kids, healthcare.
By developed world standards HK’s living conditions are NOT a good deal for locals. Average homes are tiny and even billionaires cannot have a detached house.
I hate the COVID rules that are completely brainless here, like wearing masks outside and when running???? And On rollercoaster rides????? But no need to wear it when you’re in a restaurant?.. stupidity is beyond my description
@@blueeyes6192 Are you serious? Leave your country of residence because you don't like their covid rules? I realize there are many Canadians doing that but the problem there is much deeper. You are much too simplistic thinking. I do not like my country's response but that is life. Leaving friends, family, community, job, home, responsibilities must be balanced out in that kind of decision. For you to respond by simply saying "leave" is silly.
That lady who kept saying HK is perfect and doesn't know anyone who wants to leave HK has it coming in a few years time with the way things have been going since 2019 pre covid. It's obvious that she lives in a bubble and probably doesn't have any HKer friends and probably doesn't know or even care about what happened since the protests because her daily life isn't affected.
My daily life was affected. Those “protests” got what they wanted (cancel the extradition amendment) and thirsted for more. They became self-absorbed and intolerant of dissent. My family and I received violent threats from them for disagreeing with their behaviour. This is why I no longer support them, even though I originally did. For dividing our community and destroying our social fabric, they deserved their own self-destruction.
Also they did not state that in general getting around using English is possible which is not necessarily the case with most of the other Asian countries
A lot of expats have it easy, they can overlook the political and economic changes because they are financially equipped to handle it. Most of them send their children to private international schools where they can avoid brainwashing, and have stable, high ranking jobs in HK's CBD. They can afford an upper middle class lifestyle that allows them access to a lot of entertainment sources and time to enjoy it. Of course they can't really understand why people would want to leave. I too love the waters and the mountains and the fast transport but that's not all there is to Hong Kong. The lady with the glasses is extremely privileged here and if she left she'd let go of all the money and luxury, so she lives in a small bubble.
i love living here one of the best cities i have ever been to, way safer than my hometown, Lima Peru , so yeah not all "expats" live in a bubble, dont generalise w
@@MelisaenHongKong A lot of them do. Most of them do. I never said all of them did. But you pointing out this point is a strawman to distract from the main point which is that this woman is very far removed from reality and is too comfortable to understand why people might want to leave. It's good that you enjoy living here but if you read carefully I say most expats not literally all of them. I really shouldn't need to put a 'I don't speak for all people' disclaimer when I feel like the language I've used has made that abundantly clear but that many HK expats live in a privileged bubble is undeniable. Also there is no need to put the word 'expat' in quotation marks. It's the word that foreigner migrants have assigned themselves.
@@anonymousanon9941 as an expat I have to agree that some expats do live in a bubble but to me this lady seems to really just Like Hong Kong a LOT and that might be also due to , recently “lots of people hating on Hong Kong “ kinda forces some people to be even more eager to express “How much they like it here” . Like for example in before I don’t have any strong opinion on China but after coming to Hong Kong and seeing all the negativity towards China makes me feel like “I want to tell everyone how much I actually Like China so much” so what they are doing here in Hong Kong is pushing their ideal so much and so strongly that the ones who don’t agree we also feel the need to push our ideas strongly as well. English is not my first language so apologise for my English.
I have seen a woman homeless before in the streets of the UK... Walking alone all on her own. She is a white lady that has been neglected by her family. She needed housing for the night. So I gave her some money. And helped her call a shelter. She said that she used to live in Singapore and has everything til she left it all behind... I felt sorry for her and doesn't know how to help her except to... Help her with home less ness. Reading this thread makes me feel like I too had been ignorant when I take sides in the UK. Lol... These people are also taking sides too when it comes to HK. North Vs South.
Well if you are not Chinese and you are unhappy then go back home. When in Rome be a Roman. If you can’t then be happy to go home if you think it’s better. No hard feelings
Hong Kong is safer than the U.S. again, shootings happen all the time, and Hong Kong has nothing to do with foreigners again, affecting your income? So what else do you think? Meaningless question
Best for people to leave Hong Kong and migrate. Some find success outside HK . The island will be less populated and more manageable and less chaotic. Made HK great again by going back in time when things were simpler back then.
If you are a nepotism kids and your family have property everything in Hk is great . In case you want a spacious house , not a expert and like me love to drive there is the problem
@doe sky Maybe you are the one who should go home, back to your Mongo/Manchurian state i.e. Communist no mads, how much have they paid you to be a Commie? 5 cent? maybe less, I bet you don't even speak English
hk always a stepping stone to somewhere better...a place to solely make money...those who can already quit... those left behind has no choice or money to move...expat willl move to greener pastures... hk is a very expensive place to live... now communist more repulsive laws will b applied... to make sure hk will not b an example to mainland china
If china totally take over Hong Kong is a different thing not you want to stay is china going to let you stay I was born there left in the 80’s with my family to London I still go back nearly every year up until covid started I haven’t been back over two and a half years it is a great place to live if you have money to buy or rent in Hong Kong is too expensive I really want to live there but I don’t want to live in a box room with kitchen toilet all in one room but visit it is a great place specially food and night life is great
Most Expats who work in HK in some ways have biz relationships with the mainland. Those who use HK as a base while working in Mainland are the ones who exit. Why? HK used to be their safe haven. For all the shenanigans they do in the mainland, HK is no longer a safe haven. They can be extradicted. SG has no extradition treaty with China. That's why they chose SG.
@@rascalhusky8129 because you’ve just visited? how will you say it’s not a great place to live in when you haven’t even lived here? Very ignorant and baseless
@@kurtxanderiel4087 I have bee to Hong Kong many times . The first time 25 years ago and the last time just before covid. I have seen the free and positive and competitive side to Hong Kong. Now it's great to see the down and out street people. And you ?
Yes, Hong Kong is good if you say nothing about CCP. Not even something that CCP do wrong or trying to cover. I heard those expat that think Hong Kong is good. Is mainly about the infrastructure and landscape. You do can say nothing about CCP and it is less chance you are being arrested. But think of there are people who love Hong Kong and want Hong Kong to have speech freedom that it used to be...most of them in the frontline are in jail now.
KUALA LUMPUR ALSO AMAZING CITY,THE SECOND NEW YORK CITY,WHE STAY HONG KONG, FIRST THINGS NORMAL,SLOW SLOWY,SOME PEOPLE IS RUDE,WHEN GET MTR TRAIN JUST LITLE MISTAKE,THEY CALL ME:LEI CHISI,LEI POKAI,LEI TUI....SO MOVE OUT STAY IN MALAYSIA 🇲🇾
If you are single and no children Hk is a great place but things have changed and are changing so rapidly politically to a point that you can’t afford to have children here
wait till the protestors riot again and burn buildings, violently beat up people, bock roads, and transform the region into a 3rd world coutnry. Then ask them again.
Put the pressure for what reason? The only problem that begs China’s attention is people organising or advocating secession or other activities to subvert national government orgs or circumvent its authority internationally. This would be the last thing on the mind of someone who has a good job in HK. Such as these expats.
I came here after watching a video about shoebox houses of Hong Kong... people living in 15 square feet and having to share the space with 18 other type of shoebox housing developments where they all have to share two bathrooms and a kitchen and sometimes these amenities are so unclean that they are unusable. And having to pay 1/5 of their monthly earnings to live in these small dwellings costing them $170 a month due to the super million $ high priced housing properties/property shortage in Hong Kong.
因無旅客來港,港府後悔莫及, 後負兩年前感染案甚少的时候不去解禁使香港恢復正常民生经貿活動,👉現在个案急增反而要急急变招🤫輕微解禁去吸国際客人了: 👉Since 2 years ago🇭🇰 HK Govt insisted zero infection policy by forcing all travellers to HK subject to 7 to 21 days hotel quarantine though 2 years ago daily figures was mostly 👉less than 5 or nearly zero.....👉Now because nobody or fewer people like coming to HK anymore due to stricter hotel quarantine control and zero infection policy, now🇭🇰 HK Govt starts to change or ease off such hotel quarantine policy despite 🥵👉infected cases now nearly 5000 daily.......👉🇭🇰🙇🏻♂🙇🏻♀Why changing so late? 😭🤑後悔堅持清零嗎?......早知一早跟世界大圍走changing control policies in a much earlier like other parts of the world......🇺🇸🇬🇧🇫🇷🇩🇪🇪🇸🇨🇦🇯🇵🇮🇹...........👉🇭🇰港府高官薪津雖全世界最高,但敢作敢為敢話事決断者甚少,唯官怕话事者佔多數!
As a foreigner living in HK since 2016 this city gave me a shelter when i needed it and like living a simple life here , talking with local people and learning cantonese , HK is a safe place , much safer than my hometown Lima, Peru
It's a beautiful place, but give it another year and I bet these folks will have changed their minds. Well, if you're retired and just farting around, and you keep your mouth shut, there's not much difference. Try starting a business or wear a Taiwan flag t-shirt and see how things change for you. Run, run, as fast as you can!
I wonder what the Chinese people think of all these foreigners invading their country, just as other countries being overloaded with foreigners, probably taking their jobs. I can never understand why people have to leave their own countries unless military reasons or job related.
No they don't....The number of gwailo one sees in HK or China is doesn't even register. They are always the exception, not the norm. Other than the US, Canada, the UK and Australia, "multi-culturalism" is not a thing. (of course places like Singapore, Malaysia and India might be even more multicultural and multi-ethnic, but you get the point). You don't see gwailo or Black people or Hispanics working at cashiers at restaurants or as bank tellers. They are not in "normal" life. In the US, you see Asians (and of "foreign" descent) as police officers and cashiers and lawyers and bus drivers.....even as drug addicts, homeless and criminals. The levels of foreigners in China/HK is so small they are not even an issue for local employment.
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime
