Living Abroad in Hong Kong

By Rory Boland, 1st Edition

Reviewed by Living Abroad Editor Volker Poelzl

Hong Kong is one of East Asia's most cosmopolitan cities, in part thanks to its multicultural heritage and traditional role as an important trading post between East and West.

Although the long British colonial presence has left a Western imprint on this small island off mainland China, moving to Hong Kong as a Westerner is still a huge challenge. Newcomers will quickly discover that despite English shop signs and a capitalist economy Hong Kong is a very Chinese city, and adapting to a there new life takes time. Moon's new Living Abroad in Hong Kong is exactly the kind of book you need to make your move to Hong Kong a success. Author Rory Boland is a Hong Kong resident, who has first-hand experience  adapting to living and working in this bustling city. His book "Living Abroad in Hong Kong" offers thoughtful insights into the workings of this large city based on his own experiences as an expatriate. The book's 282 pages are packed with useful tips and practical information that will make your transition to East Asia easier and more enjoyable.

As part of Moon’s Living Abroad guidebook series, the book follows the same clear and effective layout, divided into four sections. "Welcome to Hong Kong" includes a brief introduction to the city’s history, government, and economy, and informs readers about Hong Kong’s people and culture, ethnicity, customs, religion, and the arts. The chapter about “Planning your Fact-Finding Trip” helps readers prepare for their first trip to Hong Kong and offers tips on how to get your bearings in the city, what places to visit,  and how and where to look for housing. The section on “Daily Life” introduces readers to everything they need to know to make Hong Kong their new home, including chapters on making the move, housing, language and education, health, employment, finance, communication, travel, and transportation. “Prime Living Locations” is a small but important section that describes the various neighborhoods of Hong Kong Island as well as attractive residential areas in Greater Hong Kong, such as Kowloon,  the Outlying Islands, and the New Territories. You will find information about rental costs, transportation, schools, and shopping, and you get an insider’s view of what makes the different residential areas attractive to foreign newcomers to the city. The “Resources” section at the end of the book provides useful contact information for government offices, embassies, education, housing, health, finance, employment, communications, transportation, as well as a Cantonese phrasebook.

In addition to providing all the essential information you need to make a successful move to Hong Kong, the author presents a very realistic assessment about what to expect living in the city in today’s global economy with all its changing tides of fortune. Boland points out that “the decadent years of boozy afternoons at the club rather than the desk...are firmly in the past,” referring to the reality that transferred foreign employees no longer have it as easy as in the past. On the other hand, he affirms that “...Hong Kong’s English speaking workplace offers an unrivalled opportunity to branch out beyond the staple expat trades of teaching and translation, but competition is fierce.”

If you have plans to move to Hong Kong in the near future, be it for a position in the banking sector or as an English teacher, “Living Abroad in Hong Kong” is a well-rounded , well-researched and informative guide that will answer most of your questions about how to settle successfully. For additional information about the book, visit the publisher’s “Living Abroad in Hong Kong” web page.