Moving from UK to HK

[Speculator]

Sorry, tried to edit my post but geobaby site went down as soon as I realised my mistake. Aptamil is avaliable in Hong Kong but I am not sure if it's exactly the same as the product sold in the UK. Therefore, I recomend you bring plently over from the UK.

 

[carang]

i find it amazing that people tell you that clothes for kids are expensive.

i LOVE shopping in the markets for kids clothes. i think that kids, especially babies, grow so fast it's completely absurd to spend $100s on on clothes they'll only wear once or twice. if it is something special you need, then it might cost a little more. but for us, i don't feel guilty throwing some clothes away if they've seen better days if i've only spent $10 on it.

my personal opinion though.

as for where to live, you have to come and see. go into a serviced suite for as long as you can so that you can decide what is best for YOUR family. every one has different priorities/budgets. we can all suggest what we think are good options, but if you read them all, you'll find that much of HK can be suggested.

good luck!
PS> Rani, i think you are thinking about President's Choice products from Canada. PnS no longer carries them, but they still have Waitrose.

 

[Speculator]

Aptamil can be found at Wellcome online as well as Park n shop.

Wellcome

Parknshop

Formula milk in HK are still sold in tins, (similar to paint tins) and not the easy to open plastic cartons sold in the UK!

 

[Speculator]

Baby clothes are cheap in HK markets but Asda/TKmaxx/Matalan/Tesco/Primark in the UK all stock similar priced clothes that are much better in quality.

BTW, if you drink tea, tea bags are very expensive in HK, especially PG tips. Tesco were selling bogof packs of PG before xmas and we stocked up ready for our next trip to HK!

 

[jools]

The other thing with market shopping is you're not guaranteed what stock they will have. I have trapsed over to Stanley from Discovery Bay, on more than one occasion, and found that they don't have what I'm after. Yes the markets are cheap, but on a personal note trawling around markets with kids in tow is not my idea of a good day out-but as I say that's just me-you may love it.

When I was home this Summer, I was able to pick up t-shirts in Tescos much cheaper than even the markets here. So as I say you may want to stock up on cotton layers before you arrive, if nothing else to tide you over until you can get to the markets.

 

[JoTs]

Hi Jools

We moved here from the UK last April, with my son who was 18 months then and we love it. He is over 2 now and I am expecting No 2 in 9 weeks (help!).

You can buy Aptimal here - I have seen it in the Wellcome by us (The Belcher's). Also you can get Weetabix and porridge anywhere.

Personally I wouldn't want to live in Mid-Levels with a little one as getting around with a buggy would be a nightmare, so many steps. We live in Belcher's in Pokfulam and love it - many many kids and close enough to Central but far enough away if you know what I mean. Definitely invest in a Maclaren type buggy here - you must be able to fold it up quickly in and out of taxis and buses.

It is quite cold here at the moment, but come March it will warm up - we came in April and my son only wore shorts & t-shirts from when we arrived until November.

Hope that helps.

Jo

 

[shri]

PS> Rani, i think you are thinking about President's Choice products from Canada. PnS no longer carries them, but they still have Waitrose.

You're right I was thinking of President's Choice. Missing those yummy chocolate chip cookies they do.

 

[carang]

..........me too!

 

[Ali71]

Hi and good luck joining us all in HK. My best tip - read this website ! all the questions you need answering are on here and there are always lots of friendly keyboards ready to help.
I live in Repulse Bay with my toddler and am very settled, although it seems that the whole of the Southside and Pok Fu Lam is bursting with expat kids. I am cynical about relocation agents - ours was rubbish - it turned out that she just wanted to get us in to the place with the highest rent and not negotiate it, as she then got a cut. Just be aware.
I would go into serviced apartments if you can when you first get here (de Ricou in Repulse Bay is full of new people with kids).
As for bringing stuff out, don't stress, there are bound to be lots of things that you find are more expensive here and you wish you had bought in the UK - but you will torment yourself if you try to bring everything. Just remember it's a different lifestyle here and you have to adapt, you can't expect the same life as the UK. Generally good supermarket quality food is much more expensive here, as are children's clothes (I miss Tesco), but if you bear in mind the tax and transport are less you don't mind so much about the cost of food. Be flexible and enjoy it. Good luck

 

[kthomson]

Thank you so much, everybody, for your comments. This website is fantastic and is certainly helping to reduce some of the stress from our move! My husband and I are very excited about the move and are looking forward to our new life in Hong Kong. I hope that I get to meet some of you when I get out there. K xx