British Expats - Toronto or HK

British Expats (https://britishexpats.com/forum/)

- Canada (https://britishexpats.com/forum/canada-56/)

- - Toronto or HK (https://britishexpats.com/forum/canada-56/toronto-hk-821302/)

Re: Toronto or HK

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shard (Post 11075460)

Romford?!?

:thumbup:

Re: Toronto or HK

Quote:

Originally Posted by toniochen (Post 11074387)

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

You're trying to compare apples with a cabbage, it's hard to imagine two cities that are more different (in the developed world at least). I love HK, but I also love Toronto. If you're planning on staying any length of time, then I'd think that education for your son would be the biggest challenge in HK. For a Brit, Toronto is a very easy move culturally speaking so that would be one downside if you're looking for adventure and something different. Housing is also going to be very different between the two. If you don't mind living in a small apartment (unless you're on very serious money indeed) then HK won't be a problem but, if you do, then Toronto is likely to be a better bet.

Re: Toronto or HK

thank you all for your responses, currently looking at my options. HK is appealing but I don't think that it's a good long term family option (pollution, no space, costly private school...) so right now more focused on Toronto...other than the weather I don't see a lot of downside for Toronto to be honest

Re: Toronto or HK

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Originally Posted by toniochen (Post 11085919)

The weather is one of the upsides at this time of year. August is a different story.

Re: Toronto or HK

Quote:

Originally Posted by toniochen (Post 11085919)

The Toronto weather isn't that bad and the city is mostly pretty well set up to deal with it. I personally found HK in August unbearably hot and humid (to the extent that I hardly went outside) but some people prefer hot to cold obviously.

Re: Toronto or HK

It gets stinky hot in HK during July/august and yes the pollution is really quite difficult. That said, I have friends who live in nearby islands to have more space, like a lot of things, get used to things. It's a very personal choice and if you can, go and see first, is my view...

Re: Toronto or HK

Quote:

Originally Posted by floatsy (Post 11087427)

I lived in HK for 9 years and you do eventually acclimatise to the heat - by year 3 I was wearing a coat if it got down as low as 15c! It is incredibly humid there though, like walking through a steam room in the summer.

:)

Re: Toronto or HK

Agreed Siouxie! And I think it's that humidity that js the real clincher. At least women can wear dresses, I used to feel sorry for my colleagues who had to front up to work with suits (and even ties!)

Hope you're well :)

Re: Toronto or HK

What bout Canada via Geneva :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1RYjKbkS5Q