Expat names Asian paradise that’s ‘the best’ place to live – but it’s not been ‘picture-perfect’

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Millie Fraser has lived in Hong Kong for five years as an English teacher, having moved there on a whim when a job recruiter provided her with an exciting opportunity.

The expat – originally from a “tiny little remote village in Lincolnshire with tractors, sheep and pigs” – completely fell in love with the place. She spoke to GB News about her experience.

During university, Millie spent a year in Australia working for a marketing company, so by the time she decided to move to Hong Kong, she had “already got the taste of what it’s like to move away”.

She said: “I’ve always been interested in seeking the unknown and finding out what’s going on in other countries.”

To her surprise, Millie did not particularly love Australia. She felt that she was too young at the time (19) and consequently, “found it really hard”, despite having some “amazing” experiences.

‘I’m not going to say it’s been picture-perfect, but it’s the best thing I’ve ever done’

Millie Fraser / GETTY IMAGES

I definitely would recommend it – it’s the best place ever’

GETTY IMAGES

“So when I got home I thought, ‘I’m never going away again’,” she told GB News.

When a recruiter messaged Millie on LinkedIn in her final year of university about a potential teaching job in Hong Kong, her initial reaction was that she absolutely would not be going.

However, she eventually came around to the idea after some persuasion from her mum and she managed to get through several rounds of interviews.

When she decided to take the plunge and move around 13 hours away, she truly did not know what to expect. Unlike Australia, she had very little prior knowledge about Hong Kong.

But five years on, Millie is totally in love with her new life. When she first hopped off the plane in 2019 she was greeted by a gaggle of people who were going to be doing the same job as her.

The “really fun British guy”, “wacky Australia guy”, and a group of 20-somethings with “loads of different personalities” are still her friends to this day.

After her training, she worked in a local school for two years as an English teacher before moving to another school on a NET (Native-speaking English Teacher) Scheme.

In her five years in Hong Kong, Mollie has lived in two vastly different areas. She told GB News: “There are two sides to Hong Kong. There’s Kowloon side, which is very cheap and very local, and there’s Hong Kong Island which is full of expats and it’s very Western. That’s where all the nightlife is.”

Asked about what Hong Kong is like, the expat said: “When you think of Hong Kong you just think skyscrapers and that’s what my perception of it was – but it’s literally so much more than that.

“There are so many outdoor activities. There’s so much hiking, you can do wake surfing, kayaking – there’s so much water – there are so many islands you can go to.

“And every little part of Hong Kong is different. Where I’m living in Hong Kong island there are loads of cafes and French people love living there.

“But in Wan Chia, 15 minutes down the road, it’s a bit more grungy and there are loads of food options.

“If you go Kowloon side you get the best local food, like Dim Sum. There are so many food options.

“There are so many beaches. You can get a boat out to water that’s crystal clear. And the nightlife is amazing.

“I’ve definitely had periods that have been really difficult, like during Covid, but when life’s good in Hong Kong, it’s amazing.”

She said the country is very convenient too – “you can get from the top of Hong Kong to the bottom in an hour” – as well as being extremely efficient.

Another “amazing pull factor” of Hong Kong is the travel opportunities it provides. She was able to meet her parents for a holiday in Japan a few months ago and has also been to the Phillippines.

In addition to experiencing brand-new cultures in Hong Kong and all over Asia, Millie has been able to make lifelong friends.

“There’s a really good expat community here, and my company was also amazing with making friends, employing people from all over.

“And I think because my friends and I went through so much together over here, it’s like we’re stronger than ever because like, we went through Covid, we did three-week quarantines where people were coming to our door to check our temperatures, so there’s lots of things that I’ve done with my friends and the bonds are [strong]. We’ve all been through something together.”

There are all sorts of ways you can meet fellow expats in Hong Kong. Whether it’s via a running club or work or Bumble BFF, “it’s a great place to meet people”.

The downside of making so many friends though is having to occasionally let them go. The expat explained: “Because it’s so transient, with people coming and going over time, you can have your best friend ever here and then they leave – and that’s really hard.”

Millie has also been able to form connections with locals. When she spoke to GB News in July, she said: “I’m going to mainland China tomorrow with my work colleagues after work because you can just cross the border and go to Shenzhen. So I’m going for dinner in Shenzhen, going shopping and getting a massage.”

While Cantonese can be incredibly hard to learn, English is widely spoken in Hong Kong.

In Millie’s job, she only has to speak English, as the children in her class have been learning the language from a very young age.

She added: “All the training is in English – and really everything’s in English here. Getting around, I was so surprised because before I came here, I thought, ‘Oh my God, what am I going to do about getting on a train and a bus?’. But it’s all in English, and the restaurant [menus] are in English.”

Millie has encountered cultural differences though. Once the expat went home for Christmas and after coming back to Hong Kong after some weeks of “indulging”, some of her work colleagues commented that she was looking “a bit fat”.

“They might say to the kids, ‘You’re chubby,’ and gosh, you’d never say that in England to a kid.”

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‘When life’s good in Hong Kong, it’s amazing’

Millie Fraser

According to Millie, the concept of mental health isn’t as widely recognised as it is in the UK – “they’re very thick-skinned”.

Nevertheless, the Lincolnshire-born expat would certainly recommend doing a stint in Hong Kong.

She probably will go home in a few years though, the expat admitted. At heart, Millie is a home bird.

Millie does keep in contact with her loved ones back in the UK over the phone and her parents have come out to visit her, but being so far away can be a challenge.

She said: “The hardest thing is definitely being away from the family. That is tough for me. I go through really good times here and I have such a good life here, but then sometimes you do just want to go home and like have a croissant and sit around the table in the garden with a Pimm’s. You can’t put a price on that.

“I’m coming home next Friday for a month, and I can have the best month ever at home because, well, I’m at home. It’s just so chill when I’m at home, because in Hong Kong, although it’s a chill lifestyle, it’s also hectic because it’s go-go-go.

“So when I go home and then have to come back, I find it hard. My mates are amazing at it, they just want to get back to Hong Kong, but for me, every single time it breaks my heart because I know I’m not going to see my mum and dad’s for another six months.”

But despite this struggle, the move has been worth it thus far. The expat concluded: “I just think, you only live once and to go and explore another country, I know it’s so cliché but you find that you learn about yourself.

“When you move to another country, you’ve got a blank canvas. You might have some hard times and I’m not going to say it’s been picture-perfect, but it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. I’ve met the best people. I’ve learned so much about the world and different cultures.

“I definitely would recommend it. It’s the best place ever, especially if you’re outdoorsy. All of the hiking is stunning. Oh my god, there are so many hikes. Don’t just think it’s all about the skyscrapers.”

Millie has also loved working with children and teaching them a language that will “open doors” for them.

Moving to Hong Kong

What you need to know

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has guidance for Britons on living in Hong Kong, including health, Covid, education, employment, entry and residence requirements, benefits, driving licenses and vehicles, bringing medication into Hong Kong and social ethics and traditions.

Britons must read about the entry requirements for Hong Kong before making the decision to relocate.

Potential expats were advised: “Although Hong Kong is now part of the People’s Republic of China it remains a Special Administrative Region with its own immigration controls.

“You can visit Hong Kong for up to six months without a visa. Full details on the entry requirements can be found on the Travel Advice.”

The FCDO’s official health advice reads: “Medical care is generally good in Hong Kong, although expensive if you are not a Hong Kong permanent resident. Healthcare is not provided free of charge in Hong Kong and medical bills can be high.

“There is no reciprocal National Health Service agreement in Hong Kong and medical costs are to be borne by the individual. Insurance is essential, therefore, ensure that comprehensive travel insurance is taken out before you travel.

“Make sure that your policy provides for the following: an air ambulance, in case you need to be flown home, full medical cover (bills can be very expensive), bringing the body home, in the event of a death, bringing your family home, in the event of your illness or injury.

“If you need emergency medical assistance, you can attend any medical clinic, Hospital Emergency Room or dial 999 for an ambulance. For more information please visit the Hong Kong Department of Health.”

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