After glancing through the replies, I have to agree that most helpers here (or at least many) aren't on a "pleasure cruise"--they are here to work and earn income for their families and are willing to sacrifice a lot to do that. Many mothers leave their small children for years at a time in order to earn money to pay for food, shelter and schooling. So, I think the helpers who are here for "business not pleasure" and are serious about making a better life for themselves and their families are willing to tough it out through rough living conditions--especially if she works for a family that really respects her and makes sure her needs are met. I think that the living conditions are a pretty minimal concern as long as they are decent and fair but respect goes a long way. I have heard some of my husband's family (local Chinese) talk about helpers like they are possessions and they really don't treat them very human-like--they make them work like they're robots. Expat families tend to be of a different persuasion. I think as long as you're generous and considerate that will make up for a lot of things.
In our situation, we live in a village house outside of the city so our helper has a decently sized room to herself and almost a private (normal--not just a hose for a shower) bathroom. But, I'm guessing that the conditions you described for your apartment's helper quarters is probably normal for Hong Kong. Some helpers don't even get their own room here at all and share a room with an elderly person or a baby or both. One of my colleagues lives in a small flat and their helper sleeps in the same room with the child and an elderly grandparent because they only have two bedrooms in their flat. Sharing a bathroom is actually an acceptable option if you find that her bathroom is not up to standard.
As an American, I found having a live-in helper to be a very weird concept initially and so for the first year of my son's life I chose not to have one. Since hiring a helper that we really like, my life has become exponentially better--I'd say the lives of everyone in my family have. I think it's a very personal matter but in our case, our helper has very much grown to be part of our family so I don't feel weird about her living in the same house with me. I just feel like I have another family member who helps me out a lot.
Not everyone has this type of relationship with their helper and not every helper is of high caliber either.
Anyway, when the time is right you'll know if you want a helper or not and hopefully if you do decide to hire one she'll fit your family well. All the best and welcome to Hong Kong!
In our situation, we live in a village house outside of the city so our helper has a decently sized room to herself and almost a private (normal--not just a hose for a shower) bathroom. But, I'm guessing that the conditions you described for your apartment's helper quarters is probably normal for Hong Kong. Some helpers don't even get their own room here at all and share a room with an elderly person or a baby or both. One of my colleagues lives in a small flat and their helper sleeps in the same room with the child and an elderly grandparent because they only have two bedrooms in their flat. Sharing a bathroom is actually an acceptable option if you find that her bathroom is not up to standard.
As an American, I found having a live-in helper to be a very weird concept initially and so for the first year of my son's life I chose not to have one. Since hiring a helper that we really like, my life has become exponentially better--I'd say the lives of everyone in my family have. I think it's a very personal matter but in our case, our helper has very much grown to be part of our family so I don't feel weird about her living in the same house with me. I just feel like I have another family member who helps me out a lot.
Not everyone has this type of relationship with their helper and not every helper is of high caliber either. Anyway, when the time is right you'll know if you want a helper or not and hopefully if you do decide to hire one she'll fit your family well. All the best and welcome to Hong Kong!