Hong Kong: known as the great city of the east, a melting pot in the heart of Asia, vibrantly packed with color from all walks of life, one of the greatest cities on earth, and by far one of the best cities I’ve ever lived in. I am humbled to call it my new home.
Being a British colony for 100 years, the culture is structured as such. Football (soccer), Rugby, Horse-racing, Cricket and Squash are the national sports. Add that to the colorful Chinese influence and it makes for a very unique, and culturally diverse environment to live in.
In a place where 85% of the people are of Chinese decent, the expats here here from all over the world can be found at most buzzing corners. Wan Chai and LKF are a my go to’s on weekends when I’m not working the next morning… It’s filled with bars, night clubs, and interesting people from all walks of life.
For the first time in my life, I’m living in a country where Health care is accessible and affordable for everyone. A country with a life expectancy that is second in the world, where the people are healthy, and where money is in flow! For example: the average cost to see a doctor and obtain some basic medicine costs about $20 USD. With that comes the increase of people willing to invest into their health! The fitness and wellness industries are booming over here because people have the disposable income to afford it.
Despite its challenges of seasonal air pollution, heavy traffic, millions of people, high cost of rent, and the other life challenges, the people overall seem more driven and motivated here towards having a happy sustainable life. There isn’t this worry about becoming a slave to the system, and the tax rates are standardized. Add that plus lengthly holidays and you have a pretty sweet quality of life.
Here in Hong Kong, you can have the best of all worlds. Some of the greatest hiking in Asia is right here! The beaches in the summer time are stunning with surf, and the nightlife is absolutely ridiculous. Unlike in NYC where weekends are the “have fun go out nights”, in Hong Kong there is something exciting to experience every night of the week.
Another interesting component is that the local Hong Kong people take pride in being their own republic. They are not mainland China, and are no longer a British colony. In a way it makes them venerable, yet with a population of 7.1 Million and growing, one of the concerns for Hong Kongers is that it’s slowly becoming more and more like the mainland, with millions of mainland Chinese people traveling in to purchase goods for less… It’s a growing issue, and goes to show that governmental corruption is everywhere.
Coming here as a foreigner has been absolutely wonderful. English is the second language and is commonly spoken in most places. The people are very straightforward yet open and friendly, and meeting new people and social circles is extremely easy. Not to mention, Hong Kong’s public transportation is one of the most efficient and inexpensive on earth.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s tough living in a foreign country! At times it feels as though I’m lost in translation. I can’t understand or speak a lick of Cantonese, and though I try, learning Chinese is incredibly difficult. Being surrounded with people speaking a foreign language can be challenging. I regularly find myself reminiscing and missing my family and friends back home. Despite it’s freezing cold temperatures right now, there’s an addictive energy about NYC like no place on earth. And though Japan has some great snow which I’m looking forward to experiencing, nothing compares to the mountains in Utah.
In all honesty, I absolutely love living in Hong Kong. It took years of hard work, SMART goals, dedication, effort and persistence to achieve this dream, and now that I’m here I couldn’t be more grateful and thankful for this new chapter. Every time I show up to work, I know I’m helping, and healing the people of Hong Kong on their path towards wellness.
I have truly found myself a haven here in Hong Kong. By far one of the greatest cities on earth, with hidden gems, so much fun, and beauty around every corner. I would recommend this city to everyone to come and experience the magic of this city at least once in their life. It’s a must see hotspot for any adventurist or traveler.
Who knows where the journey will take you, but at the end of the day, our aspirations in life are to be happy, free and loved. Find where you feel most alive, dream bigger, and never, ever, ever quit. The universe has a special plan for us all, follow your heart and fly on your path of least resistance.
Cheers!
TB
In a world of interconnectedness, join me on my social platforms!
