Best
Places To Retire In Asia
Retire in Hong Kong
If you are planning to retire abroad,
then this idea may
hold many pitfalls for you – you should not choose a
destination on the basis
of a dream rather than on sound planning. So just as you plan your
retirement
carefully, you need to plan a lot for the place you want to move after
you
retire. You may have several reasons for wanting to move to a new
country. Many
people may want a change since they have worked in one place for a long
time.
Some want a change because they want adventure and the experience of a
completely different yet suitable lifestyle and culture. So you may
have your
own reasons for choosing to retire abroad, but ultimately sound
planning is must.
To start living in a new place is not
an easy decision to
make, as there are various destinations you can choose from. But if you
are
looking out for a place where you can get a beautiful and rich blend of
culture, heritage and lifestyle, then Hong Kong is a wonderful option
as there
is just something that sets Hong Kong
apart
from the rest of world. It is a place where the old meets the new. You will never feel out of
place as you get
to experience a fusion of eastern as well as western cultures in Hong Kong.
Geography
The island of Hong Kong
is situated
just south of the Tropic of Cancer. It shares the same latitudes as Calcutta, Havana
and Hawaii and the
same longitude as Wuhan
in central China,
Bali and Perth.
The country’s
southern coast is surrounded by the South
China Sea.
The country consists of a peninsula and hundreds of islands that are
scattered
off the coast. The peninsula is made up of Kowloon
and the New
Territories,
while South off the mainland lies Hong Kong Island
and a few other remote islands. Geographically, Hong Kong is situated
between
the Taiwan
Straits,
the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean, making it a tactical route
for sea
traffic to Asia
and the world.
Hong
Kong has a subtropical
climate due to the wide temperature range and cool (not freezing)
winters. Even
though Hong Kong’s
latitude lies within the
tropics, its seasonal changes are greater as compared to most other
places at
similar latitudes. Monsoons dominate the climatic system of the
country.
Therefore, raingear is necessary during the monsoon season. Spring
starts in
the month of March and extends until mid-May. Summer takes over from
June to
mid- September. During the summer, temperatures become hot and humid.
It is
advisable to carry an umbrella or to wear a hat to shield yourself
against the
intense heat. Mid-September to February is the best part of the year
with cool,
dry weather.
Cost
of living
Hong
Kong is considered to
be one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in. High
priced
vehicles and consumer products play an important role in contributing
to the
high standard of living. Healthcare is extremely costly and
entertainment and
nights out can be expensive as well.
The shortage of land and the prices
paid by people for
owning and renting property is what makes Hong Kong one of the most
expensive
cities in the world. However, not everything is expensive in this
wonderful
city. Aside from being clean and safe, public transport is a real
bargain,
compared to prices in the United States.
Taxis are reasonably priced. The
people of Hong Kong
love to bargain, so never
forget this rule when dealing with landlords and independent business
owners.
Nearly everything can be haggled over.
Bargains and discount stores are found all over the city
and can help
you save a lot of money.
Affordable
housing
Hong Kong has
established itself as the main commercial
center in Greater China as well as rest of Asia,
mainly due to its well-developed infrastructure, highly skilled
workforce, and
an efficient and friendly government. The housing market in Hong Kong
is
subject to the highs and lows of the local economy, which is sensitive
to the
economies of China
in general and neighboring countries. This volatility in the Hong Kong housing market makes
it very difficult to predict where the
property prices are heading in any particular year. Retirees who are
looking
for affordable housing need to check out apartment listings provided by
real
estate brokers.
Transportation:
Trams: Tram
service is available only in the northern
parts of Hong Kong.
It is a leisurely and
affordable way of commuting. The fare is 25 cents U.S.
for adults and half of that
for children.
Subway: The subway
system is probably the most
convenient means of transportation available in Hong
Kong.
More than a million people use the subways daily, making it one of the
safest
and most affordable means of commuting on the island. Subway stations
are
strategically located near interstate bus depots and other railroad
stations,
providing hassle free connectivity to most parts of Hong Kong as well as other
neighboring areas.
Bus: Hong Kong has
double-decker buses that provide
connectivity to most parts of Hong
Kong. Most
of them are air-conditioned and usually do not have heaters. These
buses have
three digit numbers that identify the route taken by the bus.
Ferry: Ferries are
mainly used for crossing the
harbor. There are also some ferries that provide connectivity between
Hong Kong
Island/Kowloon to the "outlying islands" such as Lantau Island,
Cheung Chau, Peng Chau, and Lamma Island.
Aside from these, other common modes
of transportation
available in Hong Kong
include taxis,
minibuses (Maxi-cabs), rickshaws, and rental cars.
Food
Various forms of Chinese culinary
cuisine have evolved through
the Hong Kong
people’s great passion for
eating. These cuisines date back centuries. Steaming, roasting, smoking
and
fermentation processes are the basic methods of cooking. The kitchens
of Hong Kong offer
a large variety of regional cuisine. Each
cuisine has its own distinctive taste because of the use of assorted
ingredients and methods of preparation. The Chinese consider food to be
a form
of art and will always remain enthusiastic in their passion for food.
To them,
eating is not just a necessity to stay alive, but also an enjoyable
experience.
When ordering a Chinese meal, both
taste and texture are
graciously considered. The taste buds are titillated with a fusion of
sweet-sour, sharp-bland, hot-cool and crunchy-smooth delicacies. The
Chinese do
not encourage the habit of wasting food, so order only what you can eat.
Medical
Facilities
Medical facilities in Hong Kong are
well developed and are
comparable to the most modern medical facilities available in big
hospitals in
the United
States.
A number of famous hospitals in Hong
Kong have
permanent international medical staff. Most of these hospitals feature
the most
advanced medical technology and have physicians who are both
knowledgeable and
skilled. Some hospitals even have special VIP wards for people of
foreign
origin. These hospitals offer advanced medical services to non-native
citizens
and have plenty doctors and nurses who are fluent in English.
Hong
Kong was originally
founded by the British for promoting business and trade in the region.
Since
then, the city has progressed rapidly and has now transformed itself
into a
vibrant Chinese city without sacrificing the comforts available in any United States
metropolitan city. The city is home to giant skyscrapers and
world’s largest
shopping malls as well as street-side food stalls and lively street
markets,
making it one of the best places to retire in Asia.
