Toronto or HK
Jan 12th 2014, 1:10 am
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 19
Toronto or HK
Hi,
I have been offered a position and I can either choose to take it in Toronto or in Hong Kong and I was curious to get people's view on which city they would choose. I have previously visited HK and lived in China however never visited in Canada although lived in the US for a few years. I am married and I have a 2 y.o. son.
Thank you in advance for your comments and suggestions,
John
I have been offered a position and I can either choose to take it in Toronto or in Hong Kong and I was curious to get people's view on which city they would choose. I have previously visited HK and lived in China however never visited in Canada although lived in the US for a few years. I am married and I have a 2 y.o. son.
Thank you in advance for your comments and suggestions,
John
Jan 12th 2014, 1:13 am
#3
Slightly Canadian
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: St. John's, Newfoundland
Posts: 10,129
Re: Toronto or HK
That really is trying to compare apples and bananas...but for me, the pollution would make HK a non-starter before any other considerations.
Jan 12th 2014, 1:13 am
#4
.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20,185
Re: Toronto or HK
HK - Toronto is like living in Cleveland but with expensive booze.
Last edited by Oink; Jan 12th 2014 at 2:21 am.
Jan 12th 2014, 1:29 am
#5
Nuther day in paradise.ca
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Ajax, Ontario
Posts: 7,263
Re: Toronto or HK
Toronto, and live in Markham, near Steeles n Kennedy, best of both worlds then.
Jan 12th 2014, 1:59 am
#7
Nuther day in paradise.ca
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Ajax, Ontario
Posts: 7,263
Jan 12th 2014, 2:14 am
#8
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2014
Location: Alberta
Posts: 11
Re: Toronto or HK
HK. A truly world class city. Better weather, amazing travel opportunities. If it was my choice, Toronto would not even be considered.
Jan 12th 2014, 3:22 am
#9
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Toronto or HK
I lived in HK for 9 years and loved it - my former husband was a teacher with ESF and I have many happy memories of my time there, however, that was more than 20 years ago - though I visited often afterwards.
One thing I would look into if you are considering HK as a medium to long term stay is education. The English Schools Foundation's government subsidies are being phased out in 2016 - causing a huge increase in fees - and all the International schools have a waiting list; trying to get a place in any English speaking school is apparently quite difficult.
I lived in the New Territories and preferred it over the City, though the public transport in latter years was excellent with the addition of the MTR. Housing is expensive, space at a premium and it is an extremely crowded city. It is an amazing place though.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/p...Hong-Kong.html
One thing I would look into if you are considering HK as a medium to long term stay is education. The English Schools Foundation's government subsidies are being phased out in 2016 - causing a huge increase in fees - and all the International schools have a waiting list; trying to get a place in any English speaking school is apparently quite difficult.
I lived in the New Territories and preferred it over the City, though the public transport in latter years was excellent with the addition of the MTR. Housing is expensive, space at a premium and it is an extremely crowded city. It is an amazing place though.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/p...Hong-Kong.html
Last edited by Siouxie; Jan 12th 2014 at 6:14 pm.
Jan 12th 2014, 11:18 am
#10
Yo
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 24,474
Re: Toronto or HK
With a young child, Toronto is a good alternative. Plenty of space, parks, etc...more family friendly than HK. Although from an adult perspective, HK will be much more interesting and possibly provide better career opportunities. As the child is so young, it doesn't matter so much as the cultural impact won't start to kick in for another 5 years or so. Are you British?
Jan 12th 2014, 2:59 pm
#11
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 19
Re: Toronto or HK
One thing I would look into if you are considering HK as a medium to long term stay is education. The English Schools Foundation's government subsidies are being phased out in 2016 - causing a huge increase in fees - and all the International schools have a waiting list; trying to get a place in any English speaking school is apparently quite difficult.
Jan 12th 2014, 3:02 pm
#12
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 19
Re: Toronto or HK
With a young child, Toronto is a good alternative. Plenty of space, parks, etc...more family friendly than HK. Although from an adult perspective, HK will be much more interesting and possibly provide better career opportunities. As the child is so young, it doesn't matter so much as the cultural impact won't start to kick in for another 5 years or so. Are you British?
Jan 12th 2014, 4:37 pm
#13
Yo
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 24,474
Re: Toronto or HK
If it's mid/long term consideration, go to HK for three years then aim to move to Toronto when the child is schoolage. In the mean time you can visit Toronto and see if it is for you and where you might want to live.