Hong Kong's CPS... Part II

On my way to work this morning I got to see a little peek at the progress being made on the old Central Police Station... looking good!

Hong Kong's Cost of Living

According to a 2013 global cost-of-living report from the Economist Intelligence Unit, Hong Kong is the 14th most expensive city in the world to live in.  America's most expensive city, New York, ranked 47th in the world.   

Below is a general price reference for some everyday goods and services in Hong Kong.  Most commodities aren't that expensive, but you'll notice the real estate market is insane.  I'm always hearing "lack of land" on Hong Kong Island, but actually it is estimated that only 20% of the island is developed.  I wonder why?  I understand the island has several areas that can't be developed due to steep slopes and cliffs, but obviously we do have land that can be developed... quit a bit in fact.  So why do we keep stacking ourselves on top of each other when there is room to expand horizontally?  None the less, interesting list...

ITEMS	2013 Average Price HK$	2013 Average Price US$
LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT	HK$	US$
Dinner for two - mid-range (excl. wine)	600	77
Dinner for two - top restaurant (excl. wine)	1,100	142
Pack of cigarettes	50	6
Cocktail in Lan Kwai Fong	80	10
Bottle of Heineken in Lan Kwai Fong	50	6
Glass of wine	70	9
Pint of  beer	50	6
Set lunch SoHo/Lan Kwai Fong (excl. wine)	95	12
Takeaway Lunch (lunchbox from local eatery)	35	5
Takeaway Lunch (lunchbox from western eatery)	66	9
Sandwich (Oliver's/Starbucks)	35	5
Starbucks Tall Latte	30	4
Big Mac Value Meal	31	4
Movie ticket	70 - 125	9 - 16
International theatre/music event	400 - 1,000	52 - 129
Local theatre/music event	100 - 350	13 - 45
Best-selling paperback novel	135	17
HOUSING	HK$	US$
Monthly rent for a 85m2 (900sqft) furnished apartment in Mid-Levels	36,000 - 50,000	4,639 - 6,443
Monthly rent for a 85m2 (900sqft) unfurnished apartment in Mid-Levels	28,000 - 40,000	3,608 - 5,128
Monthly rent for a 85m2 (900sqft) serviced apartment on Hong Kong Island	40,000 - 70,000	5,128 - 8,974
UTILITIES	HK$	US$
Water per quarter	400	52
Gas per month	200	26
Electricity per month for a 85m2 (900sqft) apartment	1,000 - 1,500	129 - 193
GROCERY SHOPPING	HK$	US$
Meat
Brazilian previously frozen whole chicken, 1.3kg (supermarket)	32.90	4
US chilled organic chicken 1.3kg (supermarket)	156	20
Australian chilled hormone free whole chicken 1.5kg (specialist butcher)	217	28
Australian beef sirloin steak, 150gm (supermarket)	25.90	3
Beverages
Coffee, ground 227gm	60	8
Twinings Earl Grey Tea Bags, 25pcs	28.40	4
Perrier Sparkling Water 750 ml	17.90	2
Evian Mineral Water 1.5L	19.90	3
Tanqueray Gin, 750ml	268	35
Absolut Vodka, 750ml	179	23
White wine - Sauvignon Blanc, 750ml	59 - 159	7.60 - 20.50
Red wine - Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml	59 - 169	7.60 - 21.80
Heineken Beer Can, 6-pack, 330ml	44.90	6
CocaCola, 2L	12.90	2
Groceries
Olive oil 500ml	50	6
Fresh baked bread from western bakery	28 - 40	3.60 - 4.50
Whole wheat sandwich bread 8 slices	10	1
Thai brown rice, 1.5kg	25.90	3
Thai white rice, 2kg	27.90	4
Spaghetti, 500gm	12.50	2
Local eggs, 6 pcs	11.90	2
Imported free range eggs, 6pcs	45.90	6
Pasta sauce, 400gm	26.90	3
Instant oatmeal, 800gm	22.90	3
Dairy Products
Australian fresh milk 1 litre	35.90	5
Local fresh milk 1 litre	22.90	3
Plain yoghurt 100gm - 125gm	8.90 - 12.90	1.15 - 1.65
Imported Cheddar Cheese 250gm	49.50	6
Fruits & Vegetables
Fuji Apple, per piece	3.90	1
US Strawberries, 454gm	29.90	4
Mixed salad leaves, washed, 270gm	46.90	6
Personal Care
Multivitamins 100 tablets	245	32
Pain & fever medicine - Panadol, 20 tabs	51.90	7
Tampons, 1 box of 20	39 - 43.50	5 - 5.60
Baby Needs
Enfamil Stage 1 Milk Formula, 900gm	294	38
Wyeth Illuma Stage 1 Milk Formula, 900gm	499	64
Bellamy Organic stage 1 Milk Formula, 900gm	329	42
Newborn Diapers (Pampers) 40pcs	45	6
Newborn Diapers (Huggies)  35pcs	50	6
Source: ParknShop, Marketplace, Pacific Gourmet, Great Food Hall
COMMUNICATIONS & BROADBAND SERVICES	HK$	US$
PCCW Landline per month	110	14
Netvigator 100M basic home broadband plan	398	51
Now Broadband HD TV	123 - 242	15.85 - 31.20
Mobile Phone - 2G basic package, 1,000 mins, Hutchinson 3	88	11
Mobile Phone - 3G basic package, 1,200 mins, Hutchinson 3	138	18
PUBLIC TRANSPORT	HK$	US$
Minimum taxi fare for 2 km or less	20	3
Taxi: Central to Stanley	130	17
Bus: Central to Stanley	11	1
Taxi: Mid-Levels to Central	32	4
Minibus: Mid-Levels to Central	6.20	1
Escalator: Mid-Levels to Central	FREE!	0
Tram (anywhere)	2.30	0
Star Ferry (Central/Wan Chai to TST)	2.50 - 3.40	0.30 - 0.45
MTR: Central to TST	9	1
MTR: Central to Kwun Tong	13	2
KCR: TST East to Lo Wu (China border)	39	5
CARS	HK$	US$
Car Luxury: Mercedes S65 AMG	2,915,000	375,644
Car SUV: Hyundai Tucson	208,000	26,804
Car Compact: Mazda 2	159,900	20,606
Car Registration Fee 1500cc - 2500cc	5,794	747
Petrol/gas, unleaded, per litre	17	2
EDUCATION	HK$	US$
Pre-school (half-day) per annum	48,000 - 123,600	6,186 - 15,928
International primary school per year	66,100 - 155,700	8,518 - 20,064
International secondary school per year	98,000 - 180,200	12,629 - 23,222
HEALTHCARE	HK$	US$
General Practitioner at local neighbourhood private clinics	120	15
General Practitioner at expat private clinics	800	103
Specialist	900	116
Eye Test (free at opticians)	FREE	0
X-ray	320	41
Dentist (Check-up)	600	77
Physiotherapist	650	84
WELLNESS & PERSONAL CARE	HK$	US$
Monthly gym membership	300 - 1,200	39 - 155
Yoga - drop-in classes	250 - 300	32 - 39
One hour massage at spa	600	77
Pedicure and manicure at spa	350	45
Facial at spa	600	77
Standard men's hair cut	300 - 800	39 - 103
Standard women's hair cut	400 - 1,000	52 - 129
ELECTRICAL GOODS	HK$	US$
Samsung 32" LCD TV	5,680	732
Samsung 42" LCD TV	7,680	990
Philips DVD Player	339	44
LG Blu-ray Player	690 - 2,500	89 - 322
Panasonic Refrigerator, 219L	3,380	436
Whirlpool Washing Machine, front load, 5.5kg capacity	3,390	437
Panasonic dehumidifier, 15L	4,380	564
Mobile Phone - Samsung Galaxy S4	5,898	760
Mobile Phone - iPhone 5 32GB	6,388	823
Mobile Phone 3G - Samsung Galaxy S III mini	2,800	361
Source: Fortress, SmarTone, Apple
COMPUTERS	HK$	US$
Dell Inspiron 14z Ultrabook [2.7 GHz, 8GB DDR3 Memory, 14.0" HD LED Display]	5,800	747
Lenovo IdeaPad G400 [4GB Memory,14" HD Display]	5,498	709
MacBook Air [2.6 GHz, 256 GB flash storage, 4GB memory, 13" Display]	9,988	1,287
Source: Fortress, Apple
CLOTHES	HK$	US$
1 pair of Levi's 501	900	116
1 dress in a chain store (H&M, Zara, Esprit etc)	450	58
1 pair of Nike trainers	760	98
1 pair of men's business shoes	1,500	193

Hong Kong... according to Lily and Grayson

Humor me, please.

Today's post is by me, Lily (very nice meeting you FINALLY... ! ), with the help of my brother, Grayson.  A little about us-- we were born in Hong Kong from the same litter one month before our daddy moved to Hong Kong (October 10, 2011) and adopted and formed our family on May 6, 2012.   

We thought it was about time you heard our point of view of life in Hong Kong.  But first we have a little confession... we have only been off HK island one time in our whole life, and that day involved riding in a convertible...  in the heat... with no shade.... and no air conditioning!  Needless to say, that day kind of FREAKED!!! US!!! OUT!!!  So, we'll admit our world is kinda small, but we are perfectly happy in Hong Kong. 

Here's a typical morning...

6:52 AM

7:18 AM

7:22 AM

A typical afternoon...

We get pulled apart when we sleep like this, but we don't see anything wrong!

As for long walks in the park... well, Hong Kong doesn't exactly care to us have us running around most parks or beaches.  Although, there was one day (for about 1.3 minutes) we got to run down the middle of the football field at Victoria Park!  We were running so fast it must have looked like we had stolen something because within minutes all hell broke loose and we were all seriously scolded by park security!    

One of our favorite outings is Stanley.  We aren't exactly crazy about the long taxi ride, but we're getting used to it.  In fact, we hardly ever throw up in the taxi... hardly, and we're almost convinced there will be light at the end of that long dark tunnel!  However, sometimes we forget... panic... throw up... followed by our Daddy throwing up... followed by having to find a new taxi!  Once we finally arrive, children adore us, cafes allow us to sit anywhere and cameras follow us everywhere!

I forgot to brush my hair for the paparazzi.

Sometimes we meet nice little people.

Sometimes we meet strange big people with
FREAKY eyed monkeys!

Little girl... ADORABLE!!! 
Big eyed monkeys... TIME TO LEAVE!

Another favorite place is Prince's Terrace just around the corner from our home.  No taxi ride is needed, thank goodness!  And the best part, we get to run around without a leash!  While Dad has his coffee at Cafe Lavande, we get to sit back and dog watch.  The nice staff at CL even serve water in our very own bowl.  It was there we learned just how crazy some dogs can be.    Sit!    Because you will not believe what we're about to share.  We have seen dog's fetch in the HEAT, simply because their human throws something!?!?  We prefer to relax and watch everything from a chair.  

    

The Peak's Morning Trail is another favorite outing.  At the top while our Dad enjoys his Starbucks or Haagen Dazs, (or both) we get to run around freely.  The trails are great, not to mention it's a nature wonderland up there!  We get to walk on dirt, smell grass and lay in the sun. 

Our roof deck is another great spot to enjoy the outdoors.  Just last weekend we spent the afternoon laying in the sun, listening to music… drinking wine.  Total bliss.

In general, Hong Kong is pretty pet friendly.   We're so darn cute, even if dogs aren't allowed, we normally get in anyway.  We do wish we could walk along the streets and not be so intimidated by the speeding buses and cars, but that's city life.  And unlike most cities in North America and Europe, we also wish Hong Kong allowed pets in parks.  Oh... we almost forgot to mention our dad.  Our dad is the BEST!!!  He keeps fresh pee pads out, makes homemade dog food and keeps our shelf in the pantry fully stocked with treats.  We actually like sharing our home with him.  Good thing, right??  hehe!

Grooming:

Mosque Street Pet Shop
G/F, 31-37 Mosque Street
Mid-Levels
(near the Mosque and the Escalator)

Doctors:
Mid-Levels Veterinarian
G/F, 28 Mosque Street
Mid-Levels
(across the street from Mosque Street Pet Shop)

Pet Sitting:
Wish You Were Here Pet Care
www.wishyouwereherekh.com  

Dog Park:
Sheung Wan Dog Park
Chung Kong Road (harbour front)
Sheung Wan

Pet Shop:
Whiskers-N-Paws
Horizon Plaza
10/F, 2 Lee Wing Street
Ap Lei Chan

  

Posted by: Lily and Grayson