Moving from Scotland to HK

M

MartinG

New member
Hi,

I've been having a look around here and there is some great advice, top forum.

My wife is due to have our first baby next month, we can't wait. But I have been asked by my work if I would like to relocate to Hong Kong, probably in Jan next year.

At the moment, from a career point of view, it would be a great opportunity, and I am excited about that. But things need to be right for my wife, and I don't want to railroad her into a situation which would make her unhappy.

My employer has been great about this, and I have explained why I cannot commit 100% at the moment. Right now my wife is keen to go, but once a baby comes along, her mind may change. We have the offer of taking a trip out later in the year before we decide.

But if we do go, I was wondering what people's experiences were and how easy it could be for a young woman and a baby in Hong Kong. I already know where we would be, repulse bay, and from what I've read on here that looks like a nice place. My main concern is that she becomes isolated. Any advice on this?

We're from scotland, and are both in our twenties, this is our first child we are expecting.

Thanks for any advice.

Martin
 
My baby had turned 4 months 2 days before we flew out here to live from the UK. I was a little scared but thanks to this website it completely saved me!! I have been here 4 months now and have 2 great friends who I met through this site. You do have to bite the bullet, be brave and try and socialise as much as possible and enrol baby on various courses - which there are loads of in HK. If you choose Repulse Bay as a place to live then she sure won't be isolated. There are a lot of expat Mums who live there. Having a baby, to me, makes the experience of meeting others so much easier. My husband and I are in our early 30's and we have met a few people the same sort of age as us. I am sure you and your wife will be fine.
 
We have lived in HK for 5 months but found out we were pregnant after being here for only a few weeks. At first slightly terrifying being away from friends/family in a system you know nothing about. However everyone in HK is so welcoming as everyone is away from friends and family. I've already met some lovely mums-to-be from this website and it's a great little community to get involved with. Also as soon as you make one friend, you meet their friends and so on. As Lucylou said it's definately worth 'biting the bullet'....
 
Thanks, I definetly know what you mean about 'biting the bullet'. We have some time to decide anyway, and I can check things out. My wife has enough on her plate at the moment being due next month, so I've put all talk of HK on the back burner until after the birth. But its good to hear some positive reports. I'll maybe get her to join this forum and chat to some other mums in HK, so she knows more what to expect.

Lucylou - was your child ok with all the vaccinations, moving so young? I've been reading up on all the jags they need for the UK, never mind the additional ones for China.

Smiles, I guess that makes you 2nd Trimester? Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!!!!

Thank you both
 
We moved out here the day she had her last set of jabs for the 8,12 & 16 week ones. I checked with the Nurse before we came out about the vaccination schedule and she said they pretty much follow the same schedule over here. Since being here, I have registered with a Paediatrician and asked him about it. When your wife has her baby she will be given a red Child record book which lists all the vaccs. baby needs. He told me that I could follow the UK schedule so I take my little red book with me everytime she needs to be weighed/checked out etc..There have been no additional ones required.
 
Hi Martin,

Your wife certainly wont be bored living in Repulse Bay, its lovely there and many expats live there. I Suppose though with a new baby its important for your wife to have her family around her for support etc. and that may be a concern for her. But HK, although not very child friendly, is a nice place to live.
 
Isolated is one thing we are not! There are loads of other moms around and so many families with young children! Another bonus you may want to consider is that while you are far from your usual family networks, most folks here get a domestic helper who does the cleaning, watches the children, cooking, etc. This will give her the ability to get out of the house by herself if need be from time to time.

Repulse Bay is fabulous, we live near there and it's great!
 
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