Expats find lure of Hong Kong hard to resist despite what liveability surveys say
- Immigration Department has seen more than 30 per cent increase in number of employment visas
- High cost of living outweighed by bigger salaries, lifestyle and opportunity to travel
Eye-watering rents and the high cost of everyday products are just two of the reasons Hong Kong has slipped down global liveability rankings, but that does not seem to stop people wanting to move here.
Over the past five years there has been a more than 30 per cent increase in the number of work visas issued by the Immigration Department, while the city’s recruitment firms have reported continuing interest from overseas clients.
In fact, while the cost of renting a flat is a constant gripe among most of the city’s residents, the benefits appear to far outweigh the negatives as far as some expats are concerned.
Darryl Blacker and his wife Rebecca, who grew up in Hong Kong, are prime examples. The couple moved to the city from Toronto in late 2017, lured by the chance for Rebecca to get a head start on her teaching career, which comes with a salary far higher than those on offer in Canada.
“Canada is a very good place to get your teaching education, but the actual profession is very seniority-based,” said Darryl, a chef and part-time musician. “She could have potentially waited 10 years to get a job that pays roughly what she is making here.”
The young couple, armed with Rebecca’s new master’s degree in education, grabbed the opportunity with both hands and Darryl landed a job as a chef in a restaurant in Wan Chai.
Darryl said that, while the cost of living in Hong Kong is higher than in Canada, the couple can earn more so their quality of life is better.