Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a great city with dense urban areas but also nature and hiking routes only 15 minutes away. There are restaurants for every taste and budget, from the best US fast casual chains to high end Michelin star restaurants. It's also extremely safe, despite recent political instability.

HK is a city of contrasts. You can spend your day in skyscrapers as well as on deserted beaches. You can eat as western or eastern as you like. You can find expats lured here by big banks and tech startups as well as painters and musicians attracted to the deep cultural scene. These contrasts create a depth that invites discovery and keeps me coming back. You'll just never know how your day will end up here or who you'll meet.

HK housing is one of the most expensive in the world. Often compared to NY and Paris. Though it is possible to live frugally in HK. Get a share-house or small room away from HK island. I use CoLiving's mostly for a better price, good location and making friends. Food and transport can be had quite cheap. The subway and busses are a breeze to travel with and for food local restaurants offer cheap, often delicious food. Use 7/11's for beer. Just like Tokyo you have to get some good practices and plan more in order to make your stay affordable.

HK is one of the most densest cities in the world. But take some side streets and you'll find empty parks and quiet spaces lushly filled with tropical green. There's many hikes and islands around HK to go out and explore. Here it also helps to plan some places and hikes beforehand so you'll have an escape whenever HK starts to feel overcrowded.

Politically there is unrest. Some HK'ers have moved to London and Taipei after protests crackdowns and there are also many that stay put and carry-on. Nobody exactly knows where HK will end up and I hope it's culture and people will endure over time because this place is truly unique.

Hong Kong is a fabulous city - from big city living, to isolated beaches, outlying islands and hikes through mountainous terrain. The big downside is it's EXPENSIVE. You need to have a decent salary to live here - otherwise, it would be tough. Hong Kong island is the most expensive, but more affordable places are possible, the further you are willing to travel. It's quite a transient city, so probably pretty easy to make connections!