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How quickly will our family get settled? |
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| Fast! It typically takes around a month after you’ve selected your new home to get in there and start living your new life. Our experience is once you’ve settled in the kids follow suit very easily. Realistically though you should allow six months to find your feet and feel a part of the city. The expatriate community in Hong Kong will become an integral part of your settling in process. The warm and open arms of other expats coupled with their advice and friendliness and offers of new friendships all help towards a successful simulation for both adults and children. |
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Domestic Help |
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| Most expats will employ a domestic helper to live in the home and undertake household chores, cooking the family meals and assisting with the children. There are several ways to find a domestic helper, but the most reliable way is by word of mouth. A recommendation from a previous employer is always the best way to go. However, there are agencies within Hong Kong such as Sparkle Maids (www.sparklemaids.com.hk) Tel 2239 4882 and Merry Maids which can assist in the employment of a domestic helper. Another good place to look is The Dollar Saver (www.dollarsaver.com.hk). |
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Families Health Overview |
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Medical insurance is often included in an expatriate employment package. If you have no health insurance coverage then we recommend you contact providers such as BUPA, Blue Cross and Carlingford. Expats often find Hong Kong’s doctors and hospitals offer a superior service over what they are used to back home. Hong Kong has a good public health system as well and provided you are a valid HK Identity Card Holder you may access the public system. Many private practices offer access to female and male doctors.
As a general rule of health, routine immunization is recommended whilst living in South East Asia including polio and tetanus. Infants born in Hong Kong will be vaccinated against BCG and Hepatitis B. If you are travelling within South East Asia you should consult your doctor about cholera, yellow fever, typhoid, malaria prophylaxis and dengue fever.
In 2003, Hong Kong experienced SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome). Government issued health warnings and swift action by the public in maintaining good family health and personal hygiene such as regularly washing hands coupled with proper refrigeration and handling of food bought the disease under control. These warnings are still maintained and newcomers to Hong Kong should ensure their domestic helpers upkeep a high standard of cleanliness throughout the house.
If wholistic medicine is what you’re interested in, Hong Kong also has good access to such services. Best to check with the Community Advice Bureau on 2815 5444 if you’re looking for a specific treatment.
Whether you’re seeking a wholistic approach to your family health or a combination of east and west Hong Kong has plenty on offer. Word of mouth is always a good way of finding a suitable family doctor. Listed below are a few names to get you started. They've been recommended by other expats.
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Discovery Bay Medical Centre
Tel: 2987 5633 |
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Owens Trodd & Ptners
Tel: 2521 3181 |
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Foster, Stevenson & Partners
Tel: 2537 7281
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Quality Health Care
Tel: 2523 7036 |
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Dr Werner Pamuk Family
Medical Centre
Tel: 2813 2776 |
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Dr Penny Nicolle
Tel: 2813 2998 |
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Dr David Henderson
Tel: 2824 9112 |
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Dr Rosemary Barnet
Tel: 2719 6366 |
If you’d like to check on a doctor’s standing visit www.hkdoctors.org. |
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Meeting Other Families |
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Whilst kids and their school activities usually forge the bonds of new friendships there are other avenues to meet other women with families. Any of the womens groups such as the Australian Association (www.ozhongkong.com), the American Women's Group (www.awa.org.hk) or other similar Association will provide lively social activities. Most of the womens associations normally have sporting groups as well if you're more inclined to join a tennis group or a walking group.
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Family in
