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How Hong Kong really works (explained by an expat)
Hong Kong Expat Life: Housing, Residency & City Insights
I traveled to Hong Kong to meet Ruslan. Born in Estonia, he moved to Hong Kong 14 years ago as a model. Today, he runs a fashion brand, is married to a Hong Kong local, and has a four-year-old daughter. Ruslan shared whether Hong Kong has become stricter than Singapore, explained how public and...
I traveled to Hong Kong to meet Ruslan. Born in Estonia, he moved to Hong Kong 14 years ago as a model. Today, he runs a fashion brand, is married to a Hong Kong local, and has a four-year-old daughter. Ruslan shared whether Hong Kong has become stricter than Singapore, explained how public and private housing work there, and why Hong Kong’s permanent residency feels like real stability. Enjoy!
Riding a bus around Hong Kong
A typical neighborhood in Hong Kong
Do expats vote in Hong Kong?
Cool things about the New Territories of Hong Kong
How some Hongkongers abuse the public housing system
Types of housing in Hong Kong
Cycling in Hong Kong
Fines for crossing the road
Is Hong Kong really a fast-paced city?
What will happen if the demographic problem isn’t solved?
How the government helps people in Hong Kong
How Hong Kong’s economy really works
How locals and foreigners differ on the subway
Annoying misconceptions about Hong Kong
How Hong Kong changed this expat
Fun facts about the Hong Kong subway
What we bought for food and drinks
The aftermath of the latest typhoon
Where the upper middle class lives in Hong Kong
A food break in the park
The Hong Kong–Singapore rivalry
Why being part of China benefits Hong Kong
The most expensive land per square foot
Feng shui in Hong Kong
Should an expat learn more about their new country?
Max Chernov journeys to Hong Kong, meeting Ruslan, an Estonian expat who has called the city home for 14 years. Ruslan, now a successful fashion brand owner and local resident, shares his unique perspective on Hong Kong life. Discover the nuances of public and private housing, the realities of permanent residency, and whether the city has indeed become more stringent. This insightful exploration delves into the daily experiences of an expat, offering a firsthand look at the city's pulse and the personal transformations it inspires.
I traveled to Hong Kong to meet Ruslan. Born in Estonia, he moved to Hong Kong 14 years ago as a model. Today, he runs a fashion brand, is married to a Hong Kong local, and has a four-year-old daughter. Ruslan shared whether Hong Kong has become stricter than Singapore, explained how public and private housing work there, and why Hong Kong’s permanent residency feels like real stability. Enjoy!
Riding a bus around Hong Kong
A typical neighborhood in Hong Kong
Do expats vote in Hong Kong?
Cool things about the New Territories of Hong Kong
How some Hongkongers abuse the public housing system
Types of housing in Hong Kong
Cycling in Hong Kong
Fines for crossing the road
Is Hong Kong really a fast-paced city?
What will happen if the demographic problem isn’t solved?
How the government helps people in Hong Kong
How Hong Kong’s economy really works
How locals and foreigners differ on the subway
Annoying misconceptions about Hong Kong
How Hong Kong changed this expat
Fun facts about the Hong Kong subway
What we bought for food and drinks
The aftermath of the latest typhoon
Where the upper middle class lives in Hong Kong
A food break in the park
The Hong Kong–Singapore rivalry
Why being part of China benefits Hong Kong
The most expensive land per square foot
Feng shui in Hong Kong
Should an expat learn more about their new country?
Max Chernov met Ruslan, an Estonian expat who moved to Hong Kong 14 years ago as a model. Now a fashion brand owner, husband to a local, and father of a four-year-old, Ruslan shared candid insights on how Hong Kong truly operates. He debunked the stereotype of a super-fast-paced city, noting locals walk slower than Londoners or Muscovites, yet things get done efficiently. Ruslan explained the public housing system, revealing that about 30 percent of the population lives in government-subsidized flats, but abuse is rampant—people hide cash and luxury goods to keep their low rent. The government even pays tip-offs to catch cheats. He contrasted the two housing types: rental units (200-400 sq ft) and HOS (buyable flats), both much smaller than Singapore's HDB. Taxi drivers often underdeclare income to avoid taxes, a practice Beijing is cracking down on. On infrastructure, Ruslan highlighted the double-decker buses and trams (called “ding ding”), the typhoon-proof bridge with inner lanes that open during storms, and the MTR—where a construction delay led to fines funneled back as rider subsidies. He also discussed the aging demographic (half the population may be over 60 in 20 years), the low birth rate, and the MPF pension system. Ruslan shared personal growth: Hong Kong humbled him, taught him to save and invest, and to respect borders. He pointed out local quirks—cyclists must dismount on footpaths, jaywalking fines are 1,500 HKD, and 95 percent of locals know to let passengers exit the MTR before boarding. He addressed misconceptions: locals are straightforward, not rude; service in cheap eateries is fast and blunt, but upscale restaurants are friendly. Feng shui is everywhere, with water features symbolizing flowing life. The most expensive land per square foot belongs to the Henderson building, designed by Zaha Hadid, while the Bank of China tower was designed by the same architect behind the Louvre pyramid. Ruslan values Hong Kong's “one country, two systems” advantage—low taxes, strong rule of law, and no military service—but acknowledges the Singapore rivalry. He concluded that to truly benefit from a place, you must invest yourself in it.
In this video, Max Chernov explores Hong Kong with expat Ruslan, who has called the city home for 14 years. From double-decker buses and typhoon-proof bridges to the gritty reality of public housing abuse and the calm efficiency of the MTR, Ruslan reveals the hidden mechanics of Hong Kong life. They discuss permanent residency, the Hong Kong–Singapore rivalry, and how local humility clashes with flashy wealth. A must-watch for anyone curious about what really makes this city tick.
Max Chernov and expat Ruslan explore Hong Kong's housing, transit, and culture, revealing how the city really works—from public housing to permanent residency.
How Hong Kong Really Works: Expat Insights on Housing, Transit & Life
1:00 Take the bus from the airport to save money; double-decker buses run 24/7 and cost around 4 USD for a scenic ride into the city.
5:36 In Hong Kong, public housing comes in two types: rental (100-300 USD/month, 200-400 sq ft) and buyable HOS flats. Always check eligibility.
10:19 Cycling on footpaths is illegal in Hong Kong—you must dismount and push. On roads, cyclists are allowed below 80 km/h speed limits.
11:37 Jaywalking fines are 1,500 HKD and strictly enforced. Locals rarely cross on red lights, so follow their lead to avoid penalties.
31:40 Best time to visit Hong Kong is November to April. Autumn weather is perfect for picnics in parks and enjoying local food courts.
37:44 After 7 years of living legally in Hong Kong, you can apply for permanent residency. The process takes 6 weeks to 3 months and grants full rights.
1:00 Take the bus from the airport to save money; double-decker buses run 24/7 and cost around 4 USD for a scenic ride into the city.
5:36 In Hong Kong, public housing comes in two types: rental (100-300 USD/month, 200-400 sq ft) and buyable HOS flats. Always check eligibility.
10:19 Cycling on footpaths is illegal in Hong Kong—you must dismount and push. On roads, cyclists are allowed below 80 km/h speed limits.
11:37 Jaywalking fines are 1,500 HKD and strictly enforced. Locals rarely cross on red lights, so follow their lead to avoid penalties.
31:40 Best time to visit Hong Kong is November to April. Autumn weather is perfect for picnics in parks and enjoying local food courts.
37:44 After 7 years of living legally in Hong Kong, you can apply for permanent residency. The process takes 6 weeks to 3 months and grants full rights.
0:01 Introduction of Hong Kong and Ruslan
5:07 New Territories public housing explained
8:24 Abuse of public housing system
11:12 Cycling rules and jaywalking fines
16:19 Aging population and pension system
29:42 History of Hong Kong metro MTR
33:09 Upper middle class neighborhood
37:17 Permanent residency process
43:01 Most expensive land per square foot
0:00 INTRO
0:27 Riding a bus around Hong Kong
2:36 A typical neighborhood in Hong Kong
3:04 Do expats vote in Hong Kong?
4:22 Cool things about the New Territories of Hong Kong
6:31 How some Hongkongers abuse the public housing system
8:35 Types of housing in Hong Kong
9:50 Cycling in Hong Kong
11:12 Fines for crossing the road
12:20 Is Hong Kong really a fast-paced city?
15:56 What will happen if the demographic problem isn’t solved?
17:48 How the government helps people in Hong Kong
19:13 How Hong Kong’s economy really works
20:14 How locals and foreigners differ on the subway
21:27 Annoying misconceptions about Hong Kong
25:48 How Hong Kong changed this expat
29:13 Fun facts about the Hong Kong subway
31:31 What we bought for food and drinks
32:09 The aftermath of the latest typhoon
33:03 Where the upper middle class lives in Hong Kong
33:53 A food break in the park
35:54 The Hong Kong–Singapore rivalry
39:14 Why being part of China benefits Hong Kong
42:09 The most expensive land per square foot
44:23 Feng shui in Hong Kong
44:55 Should an expat learn more about their new country?
max chernovhong kong expatpublic housinghong kong metropermanent residencyhong kong culturetyphoon preparationfeng shuidouble decker bushong kong singapore comparisonIs Hong Kong a fast-paced city?
Not necessarily. People walk slower than in London or Moscow, but things get done efficiently. It's a stereotype.
How does public housing work in Hong Kong?
You can rent a flat from the housing authority for 100-300 USD a month, or buy a subsidized HOS flat. But many people abuse the system by hiding income.
Can expats vote in Hong Kong?
Yes, if you're a permanent resident. I vote in elections and have the same rights as locals.
What's the most expensive land in Hong Kong?
The Henderson building site. It was the most expensive land per square foot in the world when sold.
How do Hong Kongers deal with typhoons?
The government closes the city down for one or two days. Bridges have inner lanes that open during strong winds to keep cars safe.
