Housing

Stellagirlcat · Post by **Stellagirlcat** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 12:33 pm

Can anyone tell us about the school housing? Are there other options close to the school? We've heard it's expensive and a long commute to live there? Thoughts?

Overhere · Post by **Overhere** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 3:58 pm

There is staff housing right at the base of the school, how much I don't know, but you get a great view of the playing fields from the front steps :)

Bodisalpha · Post by **Bodisalpha** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 11:13 pm

Not many affordable options available close to the school. The school has accom in Repulse Bay at the elementary site and at the HKIS middle/high school site. All are good by HK standards.

If you don't stay in the accom provided there are planty of options available to you and travel to HKIS isn't bad, 25min from Central depending on traffic. They have school buses that come in from all over HK Island that you could use if needed. HK island is a very small place, no where is very far away.

climbergirl · Post by **climbergirl** » Tue Jan 22, 2013 4:03 pm

Any new insights on this school, particularly for someone who is not a practicing anything :)? On Search, savings potential looks phenomenal, but looking at COL and salary makes me think it's inflated.

Stellagirlcat · Post by **Stellagirlcat** » Tue Jan 22, 2013 7:34 pm

What is COL?

DCgirl · Post by **DCgirl** » Tue Jan 22, 2013 10:54 pm

COL=cost of living

Stellagirlcat · Post by **Stellagirlcat** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 4:32 pm

Is there a place that shows average COL for different countries?

misskiwi · Post by **misskiwi** » Sun Jan 27, 2013 5:14 am

I am in Hong Kong right now and HKIS is considered to offer one of the best packages around. If I got a shot at working there - Id take it like a flash!!!

Regarding cost of living - rent is expensive here, so the fact accommodation is provided is brilliant. A small 1 bed flat in Central HK is going to cost you at least HK$16,000 a month! Utilities are cheap as they are subsidised by the government. Public transport is brilliantly cheap too - taxis are $20 for the first 2km, and then not expensive thereafter. Trams are $2.20 a ride, regardless of length, MTR also cheap...you get my drift. Food can cost hardly anything, if youre happy to eat at local places and shop in the wet markets around the city. Eating out in Western-style places is more expensive but still, not absurdly so. Tax is 16% max, and often less it seems.

Hope some of that is helpful :D

PsyGuy · Post by **PsyGuy** » Mon Jan 28, 2013 4:03 am

it depends what part of HK you live in. You can get a very basic 1BR apartment for as low as around 14K if you live outside the center. The closer in you get the more it costs. Most people spend around 20K for a nice 1BR. Rent eats up a lot of your budget. If you really want to go cheap, there is a variety of "student" housing that can get close to being under 10K. Its usually small one room dorm type rooms with a shared bathroom and commons room/kitchen.

Transportation can be cheap if you stick to public transportation (buses and the MRT) and long term passes help. Your school maybe able to get you a reduced fair pass.

Eating in is the cheapest way to feed yourself, as even fast food gets expensive. Generally the best bargain is eating at your school. Eating out, even fast food adds up very quickly.
Outside of housing the biggest expense is maintaining a western lifestyle and or a night/social life.

Housing

Housing

HKIS

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