New to site, should we move to Hong Kong??

N

Nats1982

Registered User
Hi all,

I'm very new to this site but here goes....

My husband and I are thinking of moving to HK with our 5 month old baby. My husband is originally from HK and we have family who live there at the moment. My question really is, I only speak English and am worried I would struggle to find work, could anyone tell me how they have found moving to HK without speaking the language. I have read some threads on this site and have noticed a lot of mums meet up which is great as this would be another worry of mine, leaving all my friends in the UK and not knowing anyone. I suppose I am just thinking of all the hurdles when moving to a foreign country, but I am very excited about the prospect of living in HK.

Any tips, or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks
 
Nats1982,

Don't worry. You can easily get by here without knowing Cantonese. There is a huge expat population here and I'm sure many of them don't speak Cantonese or know much of it. As for jobs, again I don't think there will be much of a problem. There is always a demand for Native English speakers in teaching jobs (playgroups, kindergartens, schools), also I quite often see other types of jobs where they specifically ask for Native English speakers. If not knowing the language is your biggest concern about moving here, I'd say stop worrying.
 
Thanks

Thanks Elmo, your right I should stop worrying, how long have you lived in HK? Do you speak cantonese?
 
I was here for 4 years previously, then left and returned after 6 years. I've been here since 2006 now and will be leaving next year. I don't speak Cantonese but I know how to say good morning, please, thank you, and simple words like that.
 
i've been here for over 13 years. i came when i was 22 and didn't know a soul.

i married a local 8 years ago and can get by in cantonese, although i don't think i will ever be fluent. it is not necessary to learn it, but a small effort pays big rewards. people in your frequented restaurants, fruit stall, shops remember you and are always ready with a smile. they appreciate the effort that you have made to learn a very difficult language. i have never taken lessons, i just asked everyone (taxi drivers, bus drivers, fruit vendor, waitress) how to say a word and they always obliged and repeated as many times as they could until i finally got it right.

good luck! if you think of the move as an adventure you will have a great time. if you think of it as a burden and something you will "put up with" you will be miserable. it's all in the attitude, baby~!
 
Move to HK

I have done two stints in HK, my most recent one ended last month (sadly). I love hk and would move back again if the opportunity arises. I don't know very much Cantonese, just enough to be polite (or otherwise) when the need arises. My eldest started pre-school in HK last year and was learning Mandarin and I want her to continue that somehow now we are home.

We lived in Discovery Bay which has a very large expat community but is great for raising children as it has all the facilities you need and an instant community.

Good luck in your decision making.
 
Hello, yes you should move here, it really is fabulous! I also only know a few phrases of Cantonese and get by just fine. There are also lots of places to take classes. However you mention work. What is your field? What kind of work are you hoping to do? If you want to be able to work here there definitely are certain jobs that need Cantonese. But it really depends on your field.
 
we miss you veg kid! my boy is CONSTANTLY asking when we'll see your older one again....
guess we have to plan a trip....
 
Hi,

Yeah, not 2 worry till u really r coming over. I was born in HK but was brought up in Aus. Speaks the language but still find it hard to get ard when we moved back wif my 2mths old in Feb tis yr. Just settled in our new place, now trying to find the right playgroup for my dear son who is bored stiff @ home. I just keep on telling myselt that it takes time to get use to a new place.

dot.
 
You can also join the American Women's Club (not just for Americans and some large % of the group isn't). But they all speak English and they have a ton of get togethers both in HK and trips abroad.
And you don't need to speak Canto, especially if you end up in one of the ex-pat enclaves. But try to pick up the polite words and don't be afraid to use them as the locals all seem to appreciate the effort.
 
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