Hong Kong vs Thailand (2024)

[@pureconciousnessn]

Just subscribed. I like how you say things.

[@willsmith39]

Hi Alex as someone who's originally from Scotland but has called HK home for over 20 years but with lots of vacation trips and extended traveling in Thailand, I really enjoyed this video. Even though you don't live here full-time I feel like you really nailed it actually. Maybe the only thing I'd add, or expand on more accurately since in fairness you did touch on it, is the stage of life you are at and your career goals. I came to Hong Kong from Edinburgh at 27 on spec to just try to find a job after quitting a job I'd had in banking in the UK for over 5 years since joining as a grad trainee. It was a 'good' and 'secure' job at a time it was hard to find any sort of job in the UK but I absolutely hated it. I did actually consider Thailand and The Phillpines ( this was back in the early 2000's) owing to the much lower cost of living , but of course while it's much more expensive in HK salaries here are some of the highest in Asia and tax is capped at 15 percent, plus healthcare is a free NHS type system. Of course in today's world of digital nomads if you're self employed online and can work remotely from anywhere then Bali, KL or Chiang Mai make a lot more sense than HK. BUT if you're looking at more of a 'traditional' salaried job then HK is definitely worth considering. Also if you're single I think HK is a great place as you'll meet girls with their own careers and from a similar education/ socioecoomic background whether you're dating locals or expats and so you don't have to worry about some of the stuff that tends to happen in developing countries if you know what I mean. HK attracts young professionals not sexpats and passport bros. For me HK has given me everything. Met my missus here, have a fantastic job and just love the lifestyle so I'm obviously biased. But I do love Thailand too and would for sure consider retiring there. Anyway I've wittered on way too much 😂 Enjoyed the video!

[@N330AA]

Well i was born in Hong Kong but my mum is from Edinburgh. Hello inverted me. Cost of housing is utterly oppressive in HK though unless you're a high flying banker.

[@willsmith39]

@@N330AA Hey thats pretty funny that you've had the reverse life experience so to speak. I love Edinburgh too still of course. Hong Kong definitely does have unbelievably expensive housing, least affordable in the world in charts year after yewr as you know with Vancouver or Melbourne or Sydney typically in 2nd but by a country mile. So it's a huge issue, even with the recent collapse in prices. But again IF you can find a job in HK the proportion of your salary you save after all your expenses is actually worth a lot in real terms compared to what you might save in Thailand or Phillpines for example with much lower cost housing but much lower salaries. HK not a place to retire for most people but good option in my view to build wealth and career.

[@N330AA]

@@willsmith39 If you are in banking i agree. I'm a software dev myself and found pay was poor in HK and it was more economical to remote work out of the UK and spend 3 or so months a year in HK. Taxes are good there but pay and holidays aren't great.

[@willsmith39]

@@N330AA Sure I actually said in my opening that if you're a digital nomad type that can remote work from anywhere then you'd obviously be much better to situate yourself in Bali or Chiang Mai or Penang or somewhere like that where the cost of living is much lower. I just meant for people trying to build careers with larger firms it can be a good option. I should point out I wasn't in banking after I left the UK. I found a completely different industry in HK within a month was working in a field that I don't think I would have been offered a job for in the UK. I then ultimately set up my own company here in that industry. I have a few friends in investment Banking and Magic circle law firms but most of my friends here are in luxury brand management, events planning, social media promotion, HR, wines & spirits - all sorts of things. Most say they were offered promotions with salary levels they just wouldn't have been able to get to in Europe. As the famous saying goes well are all F.I.L.T.H ( Failed In London Try Hongkong) 😜

[@jbennison5672]

HK air is much better now. Thailand is far worse these days. I live in Shenzhen and most of the polluting factories have moved further north. Hardly any smoggy days now.