Moving to Hong Kong from NYC
If you are considering moving from NYC to Hong Kong, find out why you are not alone and why more Americans than ever are choosing to call Hong Kong home. See the essential moving tips for a seamless international transition below, how our tailored moving solutions can help you achieve a stress-free relocation, and why you should trust Oz Moving & Storage to handle all your international moving needs.
Our International Moving Services
From packing your possessions to customs clearance in Hong Kong, we offer a comprehensive and detailed planning service to cover every eventuality. Our international moves provide a seamless transition, whether by sea or air. We have used our 30 years of experience as a premier international moving company to create an unrivaled moving experience, now focusing on expert relocations to Hong Kong.
Our global services include comprehensive insurance coverage for all your possessions, underwritten by Lloyd’s of London, for peace of mind. Various coverage levels are available to suit your needs.
What You'll Discover in This Guide
Why People Are Moving to Hong Kong?
There are many reasons why increasing numbers of Americans are considering a move to Hong Kong. The most popular reasons in our experience include:
● Safety: Contrary to popular belief, Hong Kong boasts a low crime rate thanks to a professional police force, family-oriented values, and severe punishments for criminal behavior.
● Landscape: Hong Kong offers an incredibly diverse and beautiful environment with beautiful beaches and stunning mountains just 15 minutes from the city.
● Job Opportunities: Hong Kong’s dynamic economy offers excellent career paths, especially in real estate, finance, and law.
● Language: Both Chinese and English are official languages in Hong Kong, a former British colony. So, expats with no knowledge of Chinese can get along just fine.
Moving to Hong Kong: What You Need to Know
Like NYC, Hong Kong has different neighborhoods, each with its own identity. We recommend Discovery Bay on the East Shores of Lantau Island if you want a family-friendly area. This neighborhood is away from the hustle and bustle of the city, with gorgeous views, lovely beaches, and quality schools.
For young professionals, the hip and trendy Soho in Sheung Wan on Hong Kong Island is famous for many chic restaurants, shops, coffee shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Happy Valley on Hong Kong Island is the most upmarket area between the country parks’ hills and close to the Hong Kong Cricket Club and the Hong Kong Golf Club. Our pick for the up-and-coming area is Yuen Long in the New Territories.
Key Facts
● Language: Chinese and English are widely spoken, easing communication for English speakers, but learning Cantonese is recommended.
● Population: Approximately 7.5 million residents, so slightly less than New York City.
● Currency: The Hong Kong dollar is the official currency; one USD buys around 7.8 HKD.
● Timezone: Hong Kong Standard Time is GMT+8, whereas NYC Standard Time is GMT-5.
● Dialling Code: When making phone calls to Hong Kong, use +852.
Requirements
To move and live in Hong Kong, you will need proper documentation to support your stay there. You require a Hong Kong visa for any purposes requiring you to stay 90 days or more. You must determine which type of visa you need and apply in advance.
The Hong Kong work visa is a points-based system; you’ll need to score at least 80 points. The points are calculated based on your education, experience, language proficiency, and occupation. The work visa is valid for two years and is renewable.
Particular types of work visas are also available with schemes for those in the “Innovation and Technology” industry. It’s important to apply well in advance for whichever visa you think you will qualify for, as the application process can take months.
Living Costs
Hong Kong (aka the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China) is the world’s third most important international financial center after London and New York City. It’s also one of the world’s few Alpha + cities (New York City is rated Alpha ++) and the fifth most important city in the world according to the Global Cities Index 2014.
With that sort of pedigree, you would expect that the cost of living in Hong Kong is not particularly cheap, and you would be correct. However, Hong Kong’s living costs are still around 35% less than in NYC. Groceries are 20% more affordable, and apartment rentals are around 40% cheaper.
The exceptions are owning cars and real estate; gas prices are almost triple the USA prices, and real estate can be 50% more expensive. Public transportation is much cheaper than NYC, so if you don’t own a car and rent rather than buy an apartment, Hong Kong offers a higher standard of living for the same salary.
Hong Kong Moving Tips
Oz Moving & Storage will, of course, be on hand to help you plan the big move, but here are some helpful tips:
- Ensure you have all the correct paperwork to reside and work in Hong Kong.
- Don’t start packing too early. You will invariably pack things you need and will have to unpack them. On the other hand, don’t leave everything to the last minute either.
- Before planning and packing, remember that Hong Kong apartments tend to be small.
- Check that your salary expectations will fund your desired lifestyle.
- To understand the local taxation issues, thankfully, Hong Kong has a dual taxation agreement with most other countries.
If you are moving with a young family, you should decide whether to use the free Hong Kong schools or the popular International Schools. - Consider learning basic Cantonese phrases, as embracing the local lifestyle will enhance your overall living experience.
- Familiarize yourself with local Hong Kong customs, and research expat communities for support.
Why Choose Oz for Your Move to Hong Kong
If you’re an American planning to move to Hong Kong, the requirements of such an international relocation can initially seem overwhelming. At Oz Moving & Storage, we understand the challenges of moving clients abroad, as we have done this successfully many times over the years.
With over 30 years of experience, we are here to make your transition to Hong Kong as smooth as possible. We handle everything from personalized move planning to shipping, customs clearance, packing, and insurance. Our comprehensive international moving service offers a door-to-door moving experience designed to be hassle-free for you.
We understand every move is unique, so we provide a range of shipping methods via reliable overseas partners to ensure your belongings reach Hong Kong safely. Our pricing is transparent with competitive rates and no hidden fees. Get a free quote to learn more about Oz and why our customers recommend us.
Services Offered
For a smooth and efficient international move, Oz Moving & Storage can handle all your international relocation needs with the following services:
Full-service packing –
Let our expert movers do all the hard work.
Pick-up and transport –
An international door-to-door moving service.
Shipping –
Air, sea, and land shipping options.
Customs Clearance –
Our team will handle all customs procedures.
Insurance –
We provide comprehensive international moving insurance coverage.
Storage Solutions –
Temporary short-term and long-term storage solutions are available.
