moving to SGN from HKG

Posted by shyloe (297 days ago)

Hi-
really confused; where to live in SGN for a 2 year contract... help?!

Scared & Confused!

S

Posted by ldldjr (296 days ago)

1) check on the internet for housing agents and contact them

2) check into a nice hotel for a week

3) see what the agents have to offer and check other local sources (bulletin boards, newletters, etc. that you will find if you are looking)

4) find a nice place that you like and enjoy

Posted by DakLak (295 days ago)

Lucky you. I came here from Canada 17 years ago and stayed.

I suggest you DO NOT rush out and get long-term accommodation but rather stay at a long-term hotel for a month so you can orient yourself vis-a-vis your work place and other essential services.

HCMC is a BIG city (10,000,000 or so) and the land area is large.

There are plenty of Western services here - bring your hand/cell phone (we use GSM low band) - supermarkets, doctors, etc.

We have two types of weather in HCMC - hot and sunny OR hotter and wet.

You'll have a fun time and learn a language that stretches you tongue and mouth.

Posted by Kikilotta (90 days ago)

Hi Shyloe,
I am about to move to HCMC soon, so I found this old threat and am wondering if you would give me some advice - assuming you're settled in by now?
Any info about nice living areas is well appreciated!
Moving from HK as well - how did you "cope" with the "loss of shopping opportunities" ;o)
Looking forward to any reply!
Thx.

Posted by ldldjr (90 days ago)

I think you will be pleasantly surprised at what is available in HCMC. HK it is not, but you shouldn't "suffer" too much from a lack of shopping opportunities!

DakLak's proposal about a serviced apartment for the 1st month is a good idea. You should also do some online rental property searches. We were able to find out about available housing in Ha Noi long before moving here, because of the Internet.

Posted by Kikilotta (88 days ago)

Hi Idldjr,
I already did research on housing via web, thanks, but was hoping to get some evaluation on the areas beforehand.
Any rough estimate abt how long it takes to regain the container...? If it's longer than 2-3 weeks, hotel/apt will be rented anyway.
You sound as if you quite like VN?

Cheers -
looking forward to a non-shopping related freetime ;o)
maybe there are much other things to enjoy
(HK unfortunately hasn't during cold season)

Posted by Saigon1008 (88 days ago)

Dear all expats,

I am moving to Saigon and need a good fitness gym with a treadmill , any recommendations ?Is it true that european citizen have to pay for a visa on arrival ?

Posted by ldldjr (88 days ago)

You better have your visa in hand - otherwise your arrival won't be so pleasant, and you may find yourself headed back! Special arrangements had to be made, beforehand, for people to get visas at the airport!

Kikilotta - I LOVE VN! No idea's on containers - my stuff came out air freight (not much of it either!).