Prior to your arrival in Hong Kong, we can liaise either by email or phone, whichever you prefer, and we can cover all your advance enquiries for information on schools, hospitals, residential areas, housing expectations and budgets and on immigration, local customs, transport of pets, child care - whatever are your areas of concern. Please choose from the links below for more information on the above topics.
| Schools | Medical | Shopping | Transport | Domestic Help | Pet Info | Clubs & Activities |
Obviously one of the first concerns for any family
relocation to Hong Kong is the type of education available for their children.
Be assured - schooling in Hong Kong is of a very high standard indeed, and
there are several choices of international schools available. American,
English, German, French and Japanese curricula are all offered.
All international schools are required to run one section in the English
language, though institutions such as the French and German-Swiss schools also
run national language sections.
While Hong Kong offers free education to Chinese-speaking children, there is no
such free education in other languages. Educational fees, which can be quite
high, are often included in expatriate packages for families with children.
Children from many countries as well as a large number of English speaking
local children attend the international schools in Hong Kong, and places are
often scarce. Apply as early as possible, although in some cases a permanent
address is needed to confirm the place. Otherwise, your location for your housing may
be determined by your child’s school place!
All ages, including pre-schoolers are often "bussed" to the
school location - it is very rare indeed to live within walking distance of
school. Buses are supervised by "bus mothers" and cover most
expat districts, but note that it is another cost to allow for.
For a list of schools check the Government Education services web pages and go
to "Education facilities for non-Chinese speaking children" on
www.ed.gov.hk
or call:
Education Department
Tel: (+852) 2891 0888
Special Education Services
Tel: (+852) 2561 3441
Pre-Schools and Kindergartens
Nursery schools, kindergartens and playgroups play
an important role through acting as the foundation for a child's education.
There are scores of kindergartens and nursery schools in Hong Kong. Besides
those listed in this chapter, many others are advertised in publications and in
addition, some women run small play groups from their homes, particularly
beneficial for younger children.
For full information on both home playgroups in your particular area, and a
comprehensive list of formal playschools, contact:
The Pre-school Playgroups Association
Tel: (+852) 2523 2599
www.hkppa.org
HKPPA runs playgroups (mother/toddler and helper/toddler) and preschools at six
locations across Hong Kong. They are a
registered educational charity that provides a variety of learning-through-play
programs for children aged 10 months up to 6 years.
The Woodland Group
Tel: (+852) 2559 4855
www.woodlandschools.com
Highgate House
Tel: (+852) 2812 0061
www.highgatehouse.edu.hk
Tutor Time
Tel: (+852) 2803 2008
www.tutortime.com.hk
Sunshine House
Tel: (+852) 2813 0719
www.sunshinehouse.com.hk
Pre-Schools and Kindergartens
Children aged 5 or 6 then progress to the formal
International schools, which offer further education to the age of 18. The web
sites below will give comprehensive information on the campuses, the curricula,
the current fee scales and availability.
Hong Kong International School
www.hkis.edu.hk
South Bay Road, Repulse Bay
Redhill Peninsular, Tai Tam
Tel: (+852) 2813 2305
Popularly known as HKIS, this Lutheran school is often the one of choice for
American expats, offering a full American curriculum of education. However, it
includes children from many other countries too, including local Chinese
children whose parents want them to be exposed to western education from an
early age. Originally the whole school was situated in Repulse Bay, but as
numbers grew it expanded to new premises in the Redhill area of Tai Tam, beyond
Stanley, where the Middle and Senior schools are now located, with the junior
school remaining in Repulse Bay at the original site.
English Schools Foundation
www.esf.edu.hk
43B Stubbs Road
Tel: (+852) 2547 2351
The English Schools Foundation runs separate Junior and Secondary Schools. The
main office (above) is the first point of contact, then once you have a
permanent address, your child will be assigned to the designated school for
that zone, thus it is important to check availability of spaces in each school
before choosing your home.
Australian International School
www.aishk.edu.hk
3A Norfolk Road
Kowloon Tong
Tel: (+852) 2304 6078
This school has moved into a large campus in Kowloon Tong. Students are from
many nationalities, and the new facilities are excellent. It accepts children
from 5 years to 18 years of age.
Canadian International School
www.cdnis.edu.hk
Nam Long Shan Road
Aberdeen
Tel: (+852) 2525 7088
The Canadian school is situated in Aberdeen, with a bus service across Hong
Kong Island. It offers reception, junior and senior schooling to children of
many nationalities.
Chinese International School
www.cis.edu.hk
1 Hau Yuen Path
Braemar Hill
Tel: (+852) 2510 7288
This school gives a multi-national education, with British GCSE, International
Baccalaureate and American SAT examinations all offered.
Discovery Bay International School
www.dbis.edu.hk
Discovery Bay
Lantau Island
Tel: (+852) 2987 7331
At present, only international primary school education is available in
Discovery Bay. There is a local secondary school, but most older expatriate
children commute by ferry to the senior schools on Hong Kong Island.
French International School
www.lfis.edu.hk
Price Road / Blue Pool Road
Jardine's Lookout
Tel: (+852) 2577 6217
The Lycee Francaise, to give it the proper name, offers two streams of
schooling, both in the French language and in English. The French stream offers
a full French curriculum and the English stream offers British GCSE and
International Baccalaureate examinations. The Maternelle/Primary and Junior
School are situated in Price Road, and the Senior School is in Blue Pool Road
nearby.
German Swiss International School
www.gsis.edu.hk
Guildford Road
The Peak
Tel: (+852) 2849 6216
The GSIS, as it is popularly known, offers both German Language and English
language streams. The German stream offers a German curriculum, and the English
stream follows the British system of GCSE and A level examinations.
Kellett School
www.kellettschool.com
Wah Fu Estate
Pokfulam
Tel: (+852) 2551 8234
This British curriculum based Primary School caters for children aged 5 to 11
years. With only 400 pupils, places are scarce at any time.
Korean International School
www.kis.edu.hk
55 Lei King Road
Sai Wan Ho
Tel: (+852) 2569 5500
This school on Hong Kong island offers both Korean and English language
education, and also has a noted section for children with special needs.
United World College - Li Po Chun UWC
www.lpcuwc.edu.hk
10 Lok Wo Sha Lane
Sai Shai Rd
New Territories
Tel: (+852) 2640 0441
This is one of ten UWCs situated on four continents. 250 students aged 16-19
attend this residential college from over 60 countries.
Japanese International School
www.jis.edu.hk
156 Tai Po Road
Tai Po
New Territories
Tel: (+852) 2547 7135
The school, situated in the New Territories, offers both Japanese language and
English language instruction.
Singapore International School
www.singapore.edu.hk
23 Nam Long Shan
Aberdeen
Tel: (+852) 2872 0266
This is one of our newest international schools, located in Aberdeen and
offering an English language curriculum.
Medical and dental care in Hong Kong can be obtained
through Government clinics and hospitals or through private medical practices
and hospitals. The majority of expats have private medical insurance, and
attend private doctors and hospitals, though be aware that your insurance may
well not cover pregnancy and delivery nor dental care, both of which can be
quite expensive here! Most companies employing expats in Hong Kong will have a
medical care scheme in place, but if you are setting up a new company or
self-employed, then you will need to organise private insurance. Government
care is also comprehensive and of an international public-care standard, but
sheer force of numbers causes delays in treatment that many expats find
unacceptable. Several research and practicing doctors in Hong Kong are highly
respected in their field internationally, and the majority of private medical
practices offer full medical care to a very high standard, so you can be
confident that it will meet your family's normal requirements. We also have
comprehensive dental care and physiotherapy, and a limited number of qualified
homeopathic and naturopathic practitioners and counseling services.
Check the very informative web-site of the Hospital Authority – www.ha.org.hk or call for general enquiries to 2300 6555, and the Department of Health – www.dh.gov.hk.
For general health matters in Hong Kong click here.
With its history as a free-port with limited tax
payable on goods, Hong Kong has always been an interesting place to shop. In
the "good old days" Hong Kong was full of bargains and the cost of
living remained low. That happy situation changed during the huge property
price increases of the late 80s and early 90s, and Hong Kong found itself no
longer the shoppers’ paradise that it had claimed to be. However, the Asian
financial crises of the late 90’s, and the decline in the property market at
the same time has certainly shown up in the prices on the street, and we became
competitive with our Asian neighbours again. There is a huge variety of items
on offer from the trendiest designer-names to bargain-basement chinoiserie.
Street Markets
Hong Kong is renowned for its diverse and colourful
street markets. Many street markets are a pleasant form of entertainment,
providing shoppers with the opportunity to pick up many a good bargain.
Bargaining within limits is part of the fun, unless the stall-holder stipulates
a "fixed price". Street markets can be for clothes, ornaments,
home hardware or edible produce - or some mix them all!
Department Stores & Shopping Malls
Ranging from Chinese craft-ware to designer gowns
and furniture, our larger stores between them cover just about everything.
Soul-less but convenient, international-style shopping malls are proliferating.
They do offer a welcome cool respite from the summer heat and humidity!
Food
Almost any food you are used to stocking in your
pantry is available in Hong Kong at a price. You have a choice of shopping in a
supermarket, a wet market or at street stalls. Should you choose to shop as the
locals do, you will find a wider choice of fresh produce at cheaper prices than
at the supermarket, but you may find the cleanliness standards and aromas a
little trying in 34°C. The supermarkets here are all quite small compared to
those of other countries, but hold a surprisingly comprehensive range of goods
from all over the world. Depending on location, they vary from a small local
store to large stores full of international favourites.
Furniture
A huge variety of furniture styles are available,
from cheap local rattan to expensive Italian imports. A large warehouse near
Aberdeen, Horizon Plaza, houses a bit of everything and is a good starting
point. Hong Kong also has that great Scandanavian store IKEA in Causeway Bay
& Shatin - good products, well designed, at reasonable prices - www.ikea.com.hk. Once you have time, a
trip across to Macau for genuine and modern-copy Chinese "antique"
furnishing is recommended - delivery to HK is free and after some bartering,
prices are cheaper than Horizon Plaza and Hollywood Road.
Electronic Goods
Hong Kong's reputation as the cheapest place to buy
electronic goods, cameras, computers and the like, has long been overrated.
However, the advent of the global internet shopping services has proved a real
challenge to the retailers. As a result, prices have dropped considerably and
there are again, bargains to be found. However, BEWARE! Particularly in the
Kowloon Nathan Road area, there are many unscrupulous shop-owners who will lure
you with a cheap price on one item, then add the saving to another item they
assure you that you can't live without! Use a store recommended by friends,
with an HKTB recommended sign (a logo of a red junk) or of long-standing
in one location. The Hong Kong Electric Company retail outlet is called
Fortress, with many branches all over Hong Kong - the prices are fair and the
follow-up service is reliable – check current prices at www.fortress.com.hk.
Clothing
Brand name fashion stores are abound here, and
often at cheaper prices than elsewhere. When you first arrive, the streets also
seem to be full of little shops selling clothes and shoes to suit any taste,
but after a few sorties, you will realise that the majority are targeted at the
young Chinese, and are either too small, too ‘trendy' or shabbily made. The
expat market is catered for, however, it's just a matter of finding the right
stores. Notwithstanding this, many of us do stock up our more formal wardrobes
during trips to Europe, the US and Australia. For cheap bargains and tailoring,
many expat ladies are heading to Shenzhen on day trips, where variable quality
faked designer goods are sold at a fraction of the original prices. However, be
very careful - for every garment or bag that is a successful purchase, it seems
two are the wrong fit, or fall to pieces, so when you add on the time taken and
the cost of the journey and fares, the items aren't such a bargain after all.
But many ladies enjoy the fun of it all, and incorporate massages or beauty
treatments, too, so do try it once and see for yourselves.
Links
www.fortress.com.hk
www.ikea.com.hk
www.macautourism.gov
Park N'Shop Supermarket
Wellcome Supermarket
Pacific Place Mall
ifc Mall
SOGO
Lane Crawford Department Store
Hong Kong has an admirable public transport system
involving regular buses, mini-buses, trams, trains and an underground train
system - the 'Mass Transit Railway' (MTR). In general, transportation here is
plentiful, cheap and safe to travel in. We advise you to purchase an Octopus
card, which is a pre-paid credit card accepted on all transportation and in
many other venues. They can be purchased and supplemented at MTR stations,
7-Eleven stores and the Airport Express stations. Taxis are licensed, metered
and again, generally safe to travel in, though some of the drivers can
certainly be described as "characters"!
The airport is situated on the north shore of Lantau Island at Chek Lap Kok. It
is easily reachable by means of the Airport Express train, with stations at Central,
Kowloon and Tsing Yi. There are also good bus services at the airport in
addition to ample taxis and adequate parking. The Central and Kowloon Airport
Express stations also have in-town check-in services for up to two hours before
flight time departure.
For comprehensive details on the services of each mode of transport and each
area check at the Transport Department website on www.info.gov.hk/td and the HK Tourism
Board at www.discoverhongkong.com.
One of the great things about living in Asia is
that it is quite accepted that families will need domestic help around the
home. There are a limited number of other people prepared to babysit on a
regular basis, and it is pretty hard to do your own housework and ironing in
32° and 90% humidity when you are not used to it! Domestic helpers in Hong Kong
come predominantly from the Philippines and also from Thailand, Indonesia,
India and other Asian countries. A few are Chinese "amah" but they
are becoming rarer these days.
Larger apartments and houses in Hong Kong usually have small quarters for
live-in helpers, which the employer must furnish. In a six-day work week,
helpers will clean the home, do the ironing, help with children, do some cooking
and may do other household duties such as window-washing and car-cleaning.
Employers sponsor helpers for two-year contracts and can renew if both employer
and employee agree. There is a basic minimum wage but experienced maids with
good references will ask well above the minimum and can be very choosy about
whom they will work for! In addition to the wage, the employer also pays a food
allowance and an air-fare home for leave at the end of the contract.
Part-time help is just that, someone coming in for just few hours each day, or
for two or three days each week. They can be found through word-of-mouth and
the maids' grapevine. Few Filipinas are legally authorised for part-time
employment but it doesn’t seem to stop many of them!
The best way to find a good helper and avoid agency fees (which often charge
high fees to the helpers themselves) is by word of mouth. Expat families who
are leaving Hong Kong often look for a new employer for their experienced
helpers by posting adverts on the supermarket notice-boards or in the Dollarsaver and daily newspapers.
For information on employment contracts, minimum wage and working hours check
the Labour Department website at www.info.gov.hk/labour.
Whilst a few Landlords will refuse to allow pets in
their premises, on the whole, pets are accepted, though often subject to a
provision in the Tenancy Agreement that you guarantee their good behaviour.
Dogs must be licensed and certain vaccinations are mandatory. Rabies does
occasionally surface in the New Territories, thus regular vaccination of dogs
is essential whilst you live here also. Veterinary services are readily
available in all parts of Hong Kong, staffed by highly qualified vets from Hong
Kong and other countries. Here's a list of clinics in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories. (www.hkva.org)
Quarantine for pets varies from 0-6
months subject to their history and vaccination records. You may bring your
cat, dog or bird into Hong Kong with a minimum amount of fuss if you are coming
from a Category I or Category II country. Animals from a Category III country
must go through quarantine at the owner's expense. Full explanations and
details are available on the HK Agriculture and
Fisheries Department website (www.afcd.gov.hk)
- an excellent site of general interest, too. Export-A-Pet at www.export-a-pet.com provides a full
import and export service pets to and from Hong Kong, and more information can
also be found at the SPCA site www.spca.org.hk.
The Agriculture & Fisheries kennels in Pokfulam are decent and quite
adequate for short periods of quarantine. The SPCA also runs kennels and there
are several private kennels which are larger and thus usually more expensive.
In peak holiday times, kennels get full – so book ahead.
Hong Kong is nothing if not a sociable place! We
all eat out at the drop of a hat, a huge amount of business is done after
hours, at cocktail parties, in bars, at dinners at home - you name it. It
sometimes seems Hong Kong never sleeps.
With the exception of snow-skiing and polo, most other sports and recreational
activities have an outlet somewhere in Hong Kong. Even a mid-week game of golf
is possible at some of the private courses, even if not accompanied by a
member. Ask us about your particular interest and we will find details for you;
also go to the HK Amateur Athletics Association website www.hkaaa.com and to www.esdlife.com.hk for more ideas.
Clubs
Expat social life in Hong Kong often revolves
around private clubs many of which offer tennis, squash, swimming, gyms and so
forth in addition to restaurants and a variety of other social activities.
Business clubs are generally situated in the downtown districts and place an
emphasis on bar and dining facilities, though some do have health clubs
incorporating a gym and sauna. Most clubs listed below offer either personal or
corporate membership and the majority have waiting-lists. Contact them for the
latest information on what specific facilities are offered, and the current
membership fees and expected waiting time.
The Aberdeen Boat Club
www.abclubhk.com
Aberdeen
The Aberdeen Marina Club
www.aberdeenmarinaclub.com
Aberdeen
The American Club
www.americanclubhk.org
Central & Stanley
The Dynasty Club
www.dynastlyclub.com.hk
North Wanchai
The Hong Kong Cricket Club
www.hkcc.org
Mid-Island
The Hong Kong Football Club
www.hkfc.com.hk
Happy Valley
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
www.hkjc.com
Happy Valley
The Jewish Recreation Club
www.jcc.org.hk
Mid-levels
The Kowloon Cricket Club
www.kcc.org.hk
Kowloon
The Ladies' Recreation Club
www.lrc.com.hk
Mid-levels
The Pacific Club
www.pacificclub.com.hk
Kowloon
The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club
www.rhkyc.org.hk
Causeway Bay
The Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club
www.cwbgolf.org
New Territories
The Discovery Bay Golf Club
www.discoverybay.com.hk
Discovery Bay
The Hong Kong Golf Club
www.hkgolfclub.org
Deepwater Bay and The New Territories
The Foreign Correspondents’ Club
www.fcchk.org
Central
The World Trade Centre Club
www.wtcchk.com
Central
The Hong Kong Club
www.thehongkongclub.hk
Central
The Performing Arts
Hong Kong now has a good selection of institutions
devoted to the furtherance of The Performing Arts, both educationally and for
exhibition or performance. There are two annual international events, the main
one being The Hong Kong Arts Festival in January/February which is preceded by
the Fringe Festival. The HK Tourism Board at www.discoverhongkong.com will give
information on upcoming events as well as museums, exhibitions and other points
of interest in Hong Kong.
Both amateur and professional companies perform regularly in the region and
international artistes and orchestras visit frequently. Hong Kong has its own
Philharmonic Orchestra based at the Cultural Centre as well as a number of
musical groups. The Hong Kong Ballet is one of the leading classical ballet
companies in Asia and the majority of members of the Ballet are locally
trained. Descriptions for many events can be found on www.ticketek.com.hk or visit the Arts
Development Council website www.hkasc.org.com.
Cinemas
There are more than one hundred cinemas in Hong
Kong. Many screen only Chinese features, but a number have films in English.
Check daily papers for English language films. It also well worth visiting the HK Space Museum
in Tsim Sha Tsui which shows IMAX/OMNIMAX films on the domed roof - fun. Be warned that the local Chinese like to chat
and sometimes answer their mobile phones during the film, so you may find out
for yourself that it’s preferable to watch movies in more ‘expat’ targeted
areas, such as Pacific Place or IFC, where the audiences tend to be a little
more mindful of other viewers!
Museums & Art Galleries
There are a number of excellent museums and art
galleries now established in Hong Kong. For a full listing and descriptions, we
suggest you contact the HK Tourist Board at www.discoverhongkong.com or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum.
