Montréal or Hong Kong ?
Posted by Hairy_Pen_5694@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 25 comments
Hello,
I am currently in the interview process for a job (International Volunteer Program / V.I.E.) in a bank and may have the choice between Montreal and Hong Kong.
I am 23, French, so maybe Montreal is easier for adaptation.
The salaries:
2615€ (4200 $CAD) for Montreal
3200€ (29000 HK$) for HK
My priority is the impact of the experience on my resume. I would like to be able to work anywhere in the world after that, but I have a preference for Switzerland.
I would also like to be able to make friends there, and not just with French people like myself. The same goes for dating (I'm 5'7" and a person of color, Moroccan but i don't have problem here).
I would be really happy to live in a city with a lot of cultural events. I like movies and concerts (hip hop, big fan of US rap, and even singers like Justin Bieber or Laufey). I'm not really a party guy, but why not.
I think I'll really prefer to live in a spacious place because i like to stay at home most of the time, so HK might be a bad choice for that? Also, I have a cat and I think it's impossible for me to bring him to HK; for Montreal, it seems pretty easy.
And I will try to travel a lot. Both locations are fine for me; the only country I really want to see is Japan. I would like China too, but Brazil, NYC, LA, and South America look interesting as well.
What would you advise me?
TailleventCH@reddit
Just be aware that in your field, Switzerland isn't exactly flowing with job offers. So don't base too much of your project on that prospect.
Hairy_Pen_5694@reddit (OP)
Yes it's one of my dream because i think i would love to live there, montains, lac, calm is what i love.
TailleventCH@reddit
It's half of Europe's dream...
OpeningElectrical296@reddit
You did not mention weather, these 2 places are very different.
If someone from HK could mention potential racism it could be interesting too…
Hairy_Pen_5694@reddit (OP)
I'm from an island that is similar to HK, so it wouldn't be too hard for me to adapt there. On the other hand, I have never even seen snow. I hope I can adapt but i think i have the mental for the rude winter in Canada.
FinestTreesInDa7Seas@reddit
Personally I would choose Canada on the basis of political security, and the future of your personal freedoms being more certain.
Hong Kong's autonomy from China is diminishing, and there's no telling how much longer it will be before its remaining semblance of freedoms is gone.
My personal stance is that it isn't even a viable place for someone like me to live currently. Their 2020 introduction of the National Security Law was the nail in the coffin for me. People there aren't even allowed to peacefully protest. You can't wear clothing with political statements, and making political comments on the internet can get you arrested.
I'm sure many people are going to disagree with me, but I value personal freedoms, and political security over job opportunities.
Hairy_Pen_5694@reddit (OP)
"It's true that on the political spectrum I'm more left-leaning and pro-freedom, so Montreal is a better fit. Regarding security, I will be under the protection of the French Embassy.
fortissimohawk@reddit
Montreal, and it's not even close. Congratulations and good luck!
Hairy_Pen_5694@reddit (OP)
Thank you !
werchoosingusername@reddit
HK would not be a good option for you, mainly because of the tiny size of apartments. You didn't mention if your rent gets paid. I assume not. In that case your salary will not allow you get the size you'd like to have.
Hairy_Pen_5694@reddit (OP)
Yes it's not paid, okay thanks you, i think it's a no go if it's to tiny
Unusual_Coat_8037@reddit
I would have strong concerns about my personal security in a communist dictatorship. But that's just me.
1MechanicalAlligator@reddit
What an utterly outdated comment. Did you just finish reading a newspaper from the 1980s or something?
Everybody who knows what's what can tell you China, today, is a communist country in name only. In practice, they're "state capitalists".
The Economist: Xi Jinping is reinventing state capitalism. Don’t underestimate it
CSIS: Chinese State Capitalism
[Harvard Business School: Party-State Capitalism in China]
Secondly, in terms of personal security, it's one of the safest countries in the world, and the major cities in particular are orders of magnitude safer than any major city in The Americas or Europe.
Unusual_Coat_8037@reddit
Hilarious. There are quite a few people in jail who would disagree with you:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Hong_Kong_national_security_cases
1MechanicalAlligator@reddit
That has nothing to do with "communism" or "capitalism". Those are economic systems. What you're referencing is an issue of law. And it wouldn't have any effect on expats working in HK.
Unusual_Coat_8037@reddit
Bullshit. Show me one instance where expats are exempt from so-called "national security" laws and regs. You go live there if you want. Best to move along.
1MechanicalAlligator@reddit
You're missing the point staring you right in the face.
Nobody is saying expats are exempt from national security laws. The point, which should be obvious, is that you have no reason to worry about such laws unless you plan on riling people up and calling for replacing or overthrowing the government. But that kind of thing would be incredibly foolish for an expat to do, in any country.
The vast majority of expats, who have the good sense to stay out of local politics, will never have any interaction with the police or government at all, except for registering their residence and maybe reporting a lost wallet.
Unusual_Coat_8037@reddit
You are making that up. Pfffft.
1MechanicalAlligator@reddit
Okay, I see now. I thought I was talking to a person, with a brain, amenable to reason. Silly me.
Unusual_Coat_8037@reddit
I agree, a silly, gullible person.
Unusual_Coat_8037@reddit
And here's what the French consulate in Hong Kong has to say on that point:
Les termes de la législation en matière de sécurité nationale, sont applicables aux ressortissants étrangers, y compris au titre d’activités ayant eu lieu hors de Hong Kong. Les prises de position politiques, y compris sur les réseaux sociaux, sont susceptibles d’entrer dans son champ d’application et de faire l’objet de poursuites pénales.
https://hongkong.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/service/vivre-ou-venir-hong-kong-macao/vivre-hong-kong-et-macao/vivre-hong-kong-et-macao/vivre-hong
verveine_yoga@reddit
Montreal ♥️
coastalkid92@reddit
I do think Montreal would be the easier choice. I think you'll likely adapt easier there socially and obviously there's less of a language barrier.
But as Canada is typically viewed as a secondary market, you might be better bolstering your resume with experience working in Hong Kong.
Hairy_Pen_5694@reddit (OP)
Yes, I think the same about the language. I only know French and English, and I may have some difficulty learning Chinese. Maybe my quality of life would be higher in Montréal which is important to me.
LuredLurdistan@reddit
*cantonese