Now that we’ve been living in HK for about 4 months, I think it’s time to do a side-by-side comparison of the two cities and see how they fare in an Expat Life Deathmatch. Bolded items are true for both cities. Lets look at the evidence.
Abu Dhabi
Pros: Cons:
1. Rarely gets cold. Seasonable 1. The summer heat is TERRIBLE.
most of the year. Claw-your-eyes-out, fantasize-about-
1. Rarely gets cold. Seasonable 1. The summer heat is TERRIBLE.
most of the year. Claw-your-eyes-out, fantasize-about-
ice-baths terrible.
2. Ridiculously cheap delivery of various 2. People smoke in malls. And every-
forms of yumminess (shwarma, fresh fruit, where else.
fruit juice, etc.)
3. Begging and hawking is not allowed, 3. Emiratis do not know how to drive.
thus eliminating being harrassed on the
street by a hobo or being asked to buy a
watch.
4. Living in such close proximity to Dubai. 4. Schedules, deadlines, and being on
do not exist.
5. Pay for government teachers is great. 5. Most schoolchildren are complete
savages.
6. Desert safaris. 6. Sandstorms.
7. Shisha. 7. Restrooms are covered in inches of water.
8. People are employed full-time 8. Emiratis cut in line.
to clean restrooms.
9. Halal meat. 9. Locals tend to not interact with expats
outside of work.
10. Great shopping. 10. Prescription drug laws are a problem
for many.
11. Safe for women and in general. 11. Littering.
12. You never have to carry an umbrella. 12. No street numbers.
13. Women are treated very well 13. Mistreatment of maids.
(women’s lines, special treatment)
14. No humidity. 14. Janitors clean floors in shopping
malls where you are walking, or right
under your feet.
15. Driving on the right. 15. Bagels are impossible to find.
16. Fog days and sandstorm days are
school holidays.
2. Ridiculously cheap delivery of various 2. People smoke in malls. And every-
forms of yumminess (shwarma, fresh fruit, where else.
fruit juice, etc.)
3. Begging and hawking is not allowed, 3. Emiratis do not know how to drive.
thus eliminating being harrassed on the
street by a hobo or being asked to buy a
watch.
4. Living in such close proximity to Dubai. 4. Schedules, deadlines, and being on
do not exist.
5. Pay for government teachers is great. 5. Most schoolchildren are complete
savages.
6. Desert safaris. 6. Sandstorms.
7. Shisha. 7. Restrooms are covered in inches of water.
8. People are employed full-time 8. Emiratis cut in line.
to clean restrooms.
9. Halal meat. 9. Locals tend to not interact with expats
outside of work.
10. Great shopping. 10. Prescription drug laws are a problem
for many.
11. Safe for women and in general. 11. Littering.
12. You never have to carry an umbrella. 12. No street numbers.
13. Women are treated very well 13. Mistreatment of maids.
(women’s lines, special treatment)
14. No humidity. 14. Janitors clean floors in shopping
malls where you are walking, or right
under your feet.
15. Driving on the right. 15. Bagels are impossible to find.
16. Fog days and sandstorm days are
school holidays.
17. The Arab food is amazing (hummus,
tabbouleh, labneh, halloumi, fattoush,
Arabic coffee, baklava).
Hong Kong
Pros: Cons:
1. Begging and hawking is not allowed, 1. Very crowded at times. 7 million
thus eliminating being harrassed on the people in an area less than half the size
street by a hobo or being asked to buy a of Rhode Island.
watch.
2. Public transportation is arguably the 2. People feverishly close the elevator
1. Begging and hawking is not allowed, 1. Very crowded at times. 7 million
thus eliminating being harrassed on the people in an area less than half the size
street by a hobo or being asked to buy a of Rhode Island.
watch.
2. Public transportation is arguably the 2. People feverishly close the elevator
best in the world. on you, and obsessively push the “door
close” button once inside.
3. Hong Kongers are extremely hard- 3. Terrible humidity during the summer.
working.
4. It is an understatement that pork 4. Driving on the left. Have to look the
is widely available here. opposite way when crossing the street.
5. There are trees here. And 5. It is a jungle. With bugs to match. And
mountains. snakes (though I haven’t seen any).
6. Proximity of Macau. 6. Boat ride to Macau.
7. Schoolchildren are generally 7. Schoolchildren are generally picky
well-behaved (compared to US/UAE) and anal-retentive. If the receive a work-
close” button once inside.
3. Hong Kongers are extremely hard- 3. Terrible humidity during the summer.
working.
4. It is an understatement that pork 4. Driving on the left. Have to look the
is widely available here. opposite way when crossing the street.
5. There are trees here. And 5. It is a jungle. With bugs to match. And
mountains. snakes (though I haven’t seen any).
6. Proximity of Macau. 6. Boat ride to Macau.
7. Schoolchildren are generally 7. Schoolchildren are generally picky
well-behaved (compared to US/UAE) and anal-retentive. If the receive a work-
sheet that is wrinkled, they will exchange it.
8. People know how to use trashcans. 8. You always have to carry an umbrella.
9. Streets are numbered and not 9. Elderly Hong Kong Chinese like to
referred to by multiple names. spit everywhere.
10. Chinese massage is available 10. Hair ties are impossible to find.
on every corner.
11. Someone is always cleaning 11. People burp and fart (loudly)
something. all day long.
12. Typhoon days and black rain 12. Everything is closed on Typhoon 8 days.
days are school holidays.
13. One can go from mall, to grocery
store, to flat without having to venture
above ground.
14. Bagels are widely available.
8. People know how to use trashcans. 8. You always have to carry an umbrella.
9. Streets are numbered and not 9. Elderly Hong Kong Chinese like to
referred to by multiple names. spit everywhere.
10. Chinese massage is available 10. Hair ties are impossible to find.
on every corner.
11. Someone is always cleaning 11. People burp and fart (loudly)
something. all day long.
12. Typhoon days and black rain 12. Everything is closed on Typhoon 8 days.
days are school holidays.
13. One can go from mall, to grocery
store, to flat without having to venture
above ground.
14. Bagels are widely available.
15. The Asian food: Korean BBQ,
bubble tea, Guangzhou-style Chinese,
sushi...
So, who is the winner? Abu Dhabi has 17 pros and 15 cons. Hong Kong has 15 pros and 12 cons.
I consider it a tie. Does anyone have anything to add that might tip the scales one way or the other? I'm sure I have forgotten many important ones. Send me your thoughts!
-Erin
