[moonmonkey]

Ok,

The impossible has happened and I have been offered my two dream Job's at the same time.

Its the same role, but I can choose Hong Kong or Singapore.

There are several pro and cons to each, but Im really stuck as to which one to pick.

Any ideas or comments?

[GSixZero]

I'd pick Hong Kong. A great city plus China is the next big thing, and any skills you might acquire about culture, language, customs, etc will serve you well in the long run.

[Ratm]

Ohio!

[Albert Pujols]

Hong Kong for sure. It's definitely the place to be.

[moonmonkey]

Originally Posted by GSixZero

I'd pick Hong Kong. A great city plus China is the next big thing, and any skills you might acquire about culture, language, customs, etc will serve you well in the long run.

Actually the reason I like Hong Kong so much is that its nothing like China, Four years in (mainland) China is enough for anyone.

[Cubeoid]

Cubeoid says HK all the way.

[Sealobo]

I am biased to the right way.

[Oisín]

For sheer multiculturality (err, yeah, that’s a word... now), I’d pick Singapore. I haven’t been there myself, but a girl I know has lived in both Singapore, Hong Kong, and Beijing, and she’d definitely say Singapore is the nicest place to live.

Depends on your climatic tastes too, of course: Hong Kong is boiling hot in the summer, but slightly more manageable in winter; Singapore, however, being smack on the Equator, is boiling hot all year round (yearly average of 35°C or something insane like that). If you can’t stand that kind of heat, Hong Kong is probably safer.

And, of course, if you’re sick of Mainland China dirtiness, Singapore is by far the cleaner of the two. Just don’t chew gum.

Besides that, despite their many differences, I’d say the two are fairly similar places overall. English is of course widely understood both places, and I think Mandarin is about equally well understood as well. If you speak Wu, you’re probably also equally out of luck in both Hong Kong and Singapore.

[Andy8]

Low income tax and NO sales tax in Hong Kong!

[Mastrap]

Singapore is by far the nicer place to live. Hong Kong is a lot more interesting though.

[Andy8]

Originally Posted by Oisín

For sheer multiculturality (err, yeah, that’s a word... now), I’d pick Singapore. I haven’t been there myself, but a girl I know has lived in both Singapore, Hong Kong, and Beijing, and she’d definitely say Singapore is the nicest place to live.

Depends on your climatic tastes too, of course: Hong Kong is boiling hot in the summer, but slightly more manageable in winter; Singapore, however, being smack on the Equator, is boiling hot all year round (yearly average of 35°C or something insane like that). If you can’t stand that kind of heat, Hong Kong is probably safer.

And, of course, if you’re sick of Mainland China dirtiness, Singapore is by far the cleaner of the two. Just don’t chew gum.

Besides that, despite their many differences, I’d say the two are fairly similar places overall. English is of course widely understood both places, and I think Mandarin is about equally well understood as well. If you speak Wu, you’re probably also equally out of luck in both Hong Kong and Singapore.

It is not illegal to chew gum in Singapore, only to sell or distribute it.

[Randman]

OK, I've lived in Singapore for 5 1/2 years now. It depends on your lifestyle. Singapore can be a tad boring but it's great for traveling and it's easier to get around than HK. Do you speak Cantonese? More of that in HK and the economy there isn't great these days.

If married, I'd say Singapore. For being single, it depends on your lifestyle. I prefer Sing over HK, especially since it's loosening up quite a bit (casinos coming next year). PM me if you have other questions on it.

[Oisín]

Originally Posted by Andy8

It is not illegal to chew gum in Singapore, only to sell or distribute it.

...and spit it out

[Chuckit]

Once, there was this kid who
Took a trip to Singapore and brought along his spray paint.
And when he finally came back,
He had cane marks all over his bottom.
He said that it was from when
The warden whacked it so hard.
— "Weird Al" Yankovic

[Cody Dawg]

Definitely Hong Kong.

Singapore will hang you if you do ANYTHING wrong.



Hong Kong is a MUCH better choice.

[Oisín]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Definitely Hong Kong.

Singapore will hang you if you do ANYTHING wrong.



Hong Kong is a MUCH better choice.

He lives in China now. Most of the crimes that require the death penalty in Singapore will also like as not earn you a death penalty in China.

[Cody Dawg]

Well, then I guess it doesn't matter, does it?

Go to Timbuktu, then.

[Appleman]

I worked in both: Hong Kong for sure!

[yugyug]

The reality is that as an expat kid I got away with heaps in singapore. Michael Fay was the exception who went to far and got caught.

I used to hate singapore when I lived there in the early 90's cos it was so boring, (but don't forget malaysia and thailand are just around the corner). BUT its very different now and still changing fast. Widespread access to the internet has opened up the country culturally, and its a fascinating mix of culture to begin with.

Having been to Hong Kong a few times I would say avoid it. (Generally) the people are rude and streets are dirty. The weather may be a little better but in Singapore you get use to the heat. I really miss it. And the feeling of being out in the heat then walking into a air-con'd dept. store and feeling the sweat crystalize on your back is delicately awesome. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea tho.

The food is fantastic in both countries, but more diverse and unique in S'pore. As said English is spoken more in S'pore too, but if you did want to learn a language you would get more use out of S'pore mandarin than Hong Kond cantonese.

[Kenneth]

Ditto for Hong Kong.

[Andy8]

I hated HK when I first arrived, but after a few years you get addicted to the conveniences of life here and then you find it hard to live without them.

I think Apple hardware is the cheapest here because there is no sales tax.

[ddma]

I would say Hong Kong. Cheaper Mac products there... Imagine the price is the same as the US dollars but no sales tax?

But well, Hong Kong is better than Singapore in many ways, it's more interesting, more places to hang in within/outside Hong Kong. Get yourself a weekend break in Macau, get a cheap ticket to China, Thialand, or Malaysia when you have a long weekend. Or just travel in the subway for 5 to 10 mins to the shopping centres, SoHo restaurant area, Lan Kwui Fong, or enjoy a bright and sunny afternoon on the beach which are just 20 mins away from the down town. Oh, we have two theme parks too if you have kids you may want to bring them there for holidays.

Honestly the living standard is very similar in both places - Hong Kong & Singapore. But Singapore is just way too small and you will probably want to get out of it EVERY weekends/holidays to enjoy your spare time.

Live it, life it, Hong Kong ;-)

http://www.discoverhongkong.com <-- Check it out.

For languages, most shop keepers speak fare good English and taxi/bus drivers will understand with simple English. But well, if you live here, you will eventually learn at least how to use Cantonese to tell the taxi driver to where you usually go. Many Singaporean speak English but most of them mix it with other Singaporean languages and the accent are sometimes quite hard to understand.

Why don't you take a week off and trave to Hong Kong and Singapore and compare them yourself?

[simonjames]

I too have lived in both and my money is on Singapore - IMO it wins hands down.

The worst part of HK is the racism. If you aren't a Hongky then they treat you as less than human.

And they are so rude in the street - I am 6'4" (192ish cms) and when I lived there I was built like a brick outhouse - the number of times old women would shoulder charge me was unbelieveable. I had to dodged them all the time 'cause if I hit them there'd be one less Hongky.

[moonmonkey]

OK, im going for Hong Kong, interviewer flying up on Friday.
If I don't get it then I will be happy with Singapore.

Wish me luck.

[Andy8]

Originally Posted by moonmonkey

OK, im going for Hong Kong, interviewer flying up on Friday.
If I don't get it then I will be happy with Singapore.

Wish me luck.

Good luck with the interview on Friday. I assume you would be starting in Hong Kong after Chinese New Year (most new appointments start after the new year). Let me know if you need some pointers to help you settle into life here in Hong Kong.

[Nicko]

What about cost of living in those two cities? I thought renting an apartment in Hong Kong was crazy expensive? Regardless, I would go for HongKong too.... though, I think Singapore is definitely less crowded and probably less polluted! Make sure you consider those factors.

[Appleman]

Originally Posted by moonmonkey

OK, im going for Hong Kong, interviewer flying up on Friday.
If I don't get it then I will be happy with Singapore.

Wish me luck.

Good luck!

[aberdeenwriter]

Originally Posted by Chuckit

Once, there was this kid who
Took a trip to Singapore and brought along his spray paint.
And when he finally came back,
He had cane marks all over his bottom.
He said that it was from when
The warden whacked it so hard.
— "Weird Al" Yankovic

I recall that story and I'd say he got what he deserved. If the folks had whacked him as a child maybe the Singaporeans wouldn't have had to teach him Proper Etiquette 101.

From what I've read here and heard elsewhere I'd choose Singapore, although it would be quite interesting to compare and contrast mainland China with Hong Kong. And eventually you WILL be hearing quite a bit about HK as the political cards play out. Heck, you might even be there when the chips begin to fly! You might provide us first hand news accounts.

Good luck either way!

[wdlove]

Either one sounds very nice to me.

[Andy8]

Originally Posted by moonmonkey

OK, im going for Hong Kong, interviewer flying up on Friday.
If I don't get it then I will be happy with Singapore.

Wish me luck.

Did you get the job in Hong Kong?

[moonmonkey]

Originally Posted by Andy8

Did you get the job in Hong Kong?

Got interviewed by the boss, he took me out to the American Club and we drunk about 4 bottles of wine.

The position has been offered to me, we still need to sort out pay which was only discussed briefly.

Contract should be signed this week assuming the offer is OK.

So 95% confirmed but no contract signed yet.

Will let you know when I have signed something.

[Oisín]

Originally Posted by moonmonkey

So 95% confirmed but no contract signed yet.

If the guy (or company) is Chinese, that pretty much means there’s absolutely nothing decided yet

[Sealobo]

let me know when you're here, i will hook you up at teh clubs. Hong Kong will spoil you... waha~

[The Windozer]

Apparently, they're all as mad as hatters in Singapore. Just don't fall asleep while you're ashore.

[moonmonkey]

Originally Posted by Oisín

If the guy (or company) is Chinese, that pretty much means there’s absolutely nothing decided yet

Don't get me paranoid!

[Kerrigan]

If I were you, I would've calculated the ratio of Brits to natives. The more English people there are living there, the better the place is, it's a proven fact.

Take for instance a comparisson between Bombay and the Maldives. Bombaby: 1 Englishman per 900,000 natives. Ugh, no wonder nobody likes that city. The Maldives on the other hand have a ratio of 1 Englishman per 100 natives. A capital place to live old chap!

[moonmonkey]

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

If I were you, I would've calculated the ratio of Brits to natives. The more English people there are living there, the better the place is, it's a proven fact.

Take for instance a comparisson between Bombay and the Maldives. Bombaby: 1 Englishman per 900,000 natives. Ugh, no wonder nobody likes that city. The Maldives on the other hand have a ratio of 1 Englishman per 100 natives. A capital place to live old chap!

Actualy, this was a factor in my selection of HK + ready access to pubs, Kebab shops and Branston Pickle.

[Oisín]

Originally Posted by moonmonkey

Don't get me paranoid!

Bah, you’ve been living in China for four years now—surely you’ve found that out long ago! It only took me about a month or so of broken promises and backpedalling to get the general idea.

[Albert Pujols]

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

If I were you, I would've calculated the ratio of Brits to natives. The more English people there are living there, the better the place is, it's a proven fact.

Not only is the place better but it's more arrogant, repressive, and racist. A capital place to live, indeed.

[moonmonkey]

Originally Posted by Albert Pujols

Not only is the place better but it's more arrogant, repressive, and racist. A capital place to live, indeed.

You just described China perfectly, thats why I want to move to HK.

[Andy8]

Originally Posted by moonmonkey

Actualy, this was a factor in my selection of HK + ready access to pubs, Kebab shops and Branston Pickle.

Well you need an apartment close to LKF (Lan Kwai Fong) - the club, pub and kebab shop centre of Hong Kong.

[moonmonkey]

Originally Posted by Oisín

Bah, you’ve been living in China for four years now—surely you’ve found that out long ago! It only took me about a month or so of broken promises and backpedalling to get the general idea.

American company, English boss.

Othersise I would be worried.

[moonmonkey]

All sorted, signed the contract with hong Kong office today.
Looking for a place in Discovery Bay............




So friking exited!

[Andy8]

You could start with http://www.gohome.com.hk/english to compare prices.

But any reason you want to live in DB? Where will your office be?

[Andy8]

If you need an agent for Central and Soho area I can hook you up with mine.

[moonmonkey]

Originally Posted by Andy8

You could start with http://www.gohome.com.hk/english to compare prices.

But any reason you want to live in DB? Where will your office be?

Offive in Wanchai, I just need to live somwhere a bit more peacefull after 4 years in Shanghai.
Always wanted to live in Disco Bay, beautiful views.

[Andy8]

Originally Posted by moonmonkey

Offive in Wanchai, I just need to live somwhere a bit more peacefull after 4 years in Shanghai.
Always wanted to live in Disco Bay, beautiful views.

Ah, I see. Well rental prices in DB are about 40% less than what similar sized stuff would be in Central/Soho.

Let me know if you need any pointers on what, where and when stuff is.

[Sealobo]

Does he know that DB is only accessible by ferry?

[thunderous_funker]

I've clearly taken a wrong career path. My work related dilemmas seem limited to which crappy family style restaurant should I waste my meager lunch break patronizing.

If you need a pool boy, driver or general lackey in your new Hong Kong digs, by all means let me know.

[Eug Wanker]

Just how conservative is Singapore anyways? I've never been there, but by all accounts I've heard it's extremely conservative, especially considered to Hong Kong.