Failed househunting again... reflecting on 2012 in HK

Hi again in December 2012.

My previous blogs were a few photos and a chronological recollection of the time past.  However as I reflect on 2012, we are so grateful for several good things this past year.  As always, 2013 we hope will bring new changes and challenges.

Good things include:
- great old and new friends for social, sports and food around Hong Kong
- reconnecting with family around Hong Kong, our parents' cousins; joining family events and meals while immersing more in local culture
- good health and fortune - having the opportunity to see new cities in our spare time
- staying atop of family although remotely. Through video chat, email, phone and the occasional visit, we try to stay in touch with family, grandparents and young nieces/nephews who are growing up too fast
- stable jobs; although work life can always improve, we are grateful for employment in these difficult economic times.  I am grateful that my coworkers and I get along quite well
- tons of visitors in and around HK makes it nice
- meeting a lot of other new people and a ton of self-learning through my involvement in The Women's Foundation Hong Kong
- still so happy living in our current neighbourhood and apartment; responsive landlady; we can't find another area or flat that compares right now


Let's hope 2013 brings some changes such as:

- health recovery and comfort of some relatives here in HK

- improved air quality.  The poor air quality in HK (and Beijing) is driving people away from these booming cities.  For Beijing, foreign companies even pay "hardship" fees to get expats to stay. If we stay outside for a few hours in HK, my throat really starts to hurt - even when the sky is clear!  I think roadside pollution is becoming intolerable and making HK less attractive than other cities. HK government should spend its surplus resources on fighting pollution or limited emissions from cars.

- lowered cost of living.  The housing prices for purchase and for rent in HK are ASTRONOMICAL.  Especially coming from a (relatively) low cost metropolis like Toronto (its easily 2-3x), Hong Kong is sooo expensive  (I hear its even higher than London, NY or Tokyo per sq ft).  This has grave consequences not just on foreigners like us, but on local young people, whose salaries make it prohibitive to move out and start independent lives from parents.  As a result, I think the maturity of some of these local 20-somethings is far behind even Mainland China and certainly North American or European peers.  Any gain on income tax savings is immediately wiped out by rent/mortgage and high food prices (at least in Central)

- better food taste and service in Central area.  I am starting to hate the food choices in SOHO/Central. First of all, the prices are so high yet the service is horrendous.  Waiters do not look you in the eye (even 4 or 5 star places), always forget your order, cannot recommend food/drink/wine to try, and basically do not give a shit!  That said, to be fair, the food is overall quite mediocre in Central, rents are astronomical so overpriced alcohol is expected (despite zero alcohol tax)

- better and enforced living conditions and human rights of domestic helpers here in HK and around the world

- Can they flatten some of the stairs and hills in mid-levels?!  Its prohibitive for us to move to better air/higher ground b/c we hate stairs and the escalator

- Can they reduce the number of time zones between Eastern time and HK/Taipei/beijing time, or the travel distance? Then we could speak more often with family.

We look forward to reconnecting with family and friends in Toronto over the holidays!  See you all soon!

Holiday Dec; another half finished; baby showers

Its been a busy and fun few months ... pretty holiday decorations around town, friends and visitors around, completed our 2nd half marathon and hosted a few baby showers.

I can't believe 2012 is almost done!!! As always hoping for a better next year but thankful for all we have.