Living / Working in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a lively and vibrant city in which to live and work. Cost of living expenses, especially accommodation, are higher than in the UK (probably on an equivalent to central London). Accommodation is usually in flats within high-rise complexes. Hong Kong is considered a safe city in which to live and work. The public transport is excellent: extensive and very cost effective. Car ownership is not considered a necessity, except by those parents who support their children's frantic social lives!
Kellett School teacher salaries are amongst the most generous independent school salaries paid in Hong Kong. Kellett School has its own salary scale. The agreed salary will be confirmed at the time of appointment Currently, teachers salaries are incremental to Kellett Scale Point 11. Increments are awarded annually in September, on completion of a years' satisfactory service. The Kellett School salary scale is annually reviewed by the Board of Governors. Any additional pay increases reflect the HK Government's current inflation rate. This is presently 0%.
Personal taxation is low, currently set at around 15%. Accommodation, rental expenses can be offset against tax, often reducing tax liability to as little as 7%. The HKSAR Government has introduced a Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF). All employees are required to contribute a percentage of their salary to MPF. This will be invested and repaid to expatriates plus/minus losses on leaving Hong Kong permanently. (Expatriate workers currently contributing to an 'authorised' scheme may be exempted).
The Hong Kong Education Department requires all teachers to have medical clearance prior to employment.
The school medical scheme offers good cover. As in common with the majority of private health schemes, cover does not extend to pre-existing conditions, long-term treatment and medication. Individuals and parents with family members who have complex or long standing medical conditions which impact on mobility or everyday living should carefully consider the suitability of working in Hong Kong before application.
Hong Kong is considered a safe city in which to live and work, for singles, married couples and families alike. The rule of law is based on the British system. We have excellent police and security forces. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office consider the threat of terrorism in Hong Kong to be low. Full details can be found at www.fco.gov.uk
Many staff live in the Mid Levels area, which is approximately 20 minutes by bus from school. Rentals vary between HK$12,000-$20,000 per month and travel costs are about $400 per month.
All single staff enjoy a high standard of living. For married couples, both partners would be required to work to enjoy a similar standard of living, especially when accompanied by children. Dependants are permitted to work. (Please note that the HK Government does not extend the same rights to unmarried couples living together, regardless of the length of the relationship or the ability of the working partner to financially support the dependent partner).
The majority of staff employ domestic help within their homes, enjoy regular international travel and within the first year begin to contribute to substantial savings plans. Monies are freely remittable to and from Hong Kong. The Hong Kong dollar is pegged to the US dollar and is generally viewed as a stable international currency. Sterling exchange rates is currently HK$ 15.2 to £1.
There are excellent local social and recreational facilities for English speaking expatriates, including bars, restaurants and sports clubs. The country parks provide opportunities for camping and extensive walking trails from family strolls to long distance footpaths. Hong Kong has a strong tradition of choirs, amateur dramatics, and a wide variety of interest clubs, societies and churches.
There is a diverse arts scene. Hong Kong is home to two orchestras, an opera chorus and ballet company. The majority of major touring companies visit Hong Kong including the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Ballet, RSC, and numerous orchestras. There is an annual international and Asian arts festival, film festival, and museum and gallery exhibitions too numerous to mention. The arts are heavily subsidised; a good seat for a Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra concert will be about HK$200.
There is a wide range of cinemas showing English language and international films. The UA chain often releases major films in Hong Kong ahead of the UK. There are a number of "Arts" cinemas showing unusual and foreign language films.
European dinner for two with wine in a good mid-range restaurant is about HK$650. Chinese food is considerably less. The majority of staff dine out at least once a week. Club prices are on a par with London.
Clothes costs are generally less than in the UK, however few clothes are available in local stores for larger European figures. Marks and Spencer has been a useful addition in this area! Many clothes bargains are still to be had through local export outlets. The location of larger sized shoes, outside of M&S is virtually impossible.
Air transport is the main form of travel to and from Hong Kong. As elsewhere in the world the school holidays signal the commencement of high season fares. These fares however, do not prevent the majority of teachers enjoying overseas holidays during all the major school breaks. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, cities and resorts within the Asian region.
Food shopping is good. A recent supermarket chain price war has substantially lowered food prices. There is little in the way of food products that cannot be purchased in Hong Kong. Fresh meat, vegetables and dairy produce are imported from China, the US and Australasia.
The following list indicates current supermarket prices:
A loaf of bread costs $16.00
One litre of fresh milk costs $25.00
Oranges (6) costs $ 15.00
Bacon (@ 8 slices) costs $54.50
A bottle of concentrated washing up liquid costs $15.50
Pita bread costs $10.00
Roast Beef (½ kilo) costs $56.00
Wine (yellow label Cabernet) costs $129
Tea Bags (50) costs $37.50
Cheddar Cheese (250g) costs $32.90
Eggs (1 doz) cost $15.90
Chicken (2 breast fillets) costs $40.00
An indication of current flat rentals (based on 600/800 square feet, 1 - 2 bedrooms) is given below:
Unfurnished for rent:
South Horizons, Ap Lei Chau, Aberdeen @ $12,000 per month
Happy Valley @ $15,000+ per month
Mid Levels @ $23,000+ per month
Mid Levels West @ $12,000+ per month
Furnished flats in Wanchai for rent :
531sq ft $18,000+ per month
www.hongkonghomes.com
The climate is monsoonal with three distinct seasons, with hot wet humid season, usually May to September, a pleasant dry warm season, October to January and a cool, wet (and some time humid season) from February to April. Daytime temperatures average, June 32C, October 24C February 13C. Typhoons and heavy rain may occur between May and October. Usually the Government's excellent warning system gives early notice, and damage is minimal.Further information can be obtained from the Hong Kong Government website and books such as The Lonely Planet Guide and Culture Shock: Hong Kong.December 2006 |
