Top 5 Places For Short Term Escapes From Hong Kong (2-6 Month Escape Ideas)!

Singapore: Top Places For Short Term Escapes From Hong Kong *Time Zone OK!

Singapore is a top choice right now for Hong Kong residents to temporarily live. It’s open to travel (with some restrictions) and offers a similar quality of life that Hong Kongers will be familiar with.

Right now, as so many people are starting to make Singapore their base while things settle in Hong Kong, it’s going to be a little harder to find schooling and serviced apartments in the more popular expat areas.

Follow the resources and links below to explore the options right for you and your family, and enquire asap to make sure there’s space for you.

Traveling to Singapore During Covid 2022

There are restrictions for entry into Singapore, and it is all dependent on you and your family’s vaccination status. Singapore has implemented a Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) option to allow for fully vaccinated travelers for entry to Singapore without quarantine. Travels for short-term stays will need an entry approval pre-travel.

Thankfully, it’s quite easy to find the information about what is required with this online search tool. It’s a self-help tool that you’ll input your Covid vaccination status to see the eligibility for specific visas and to see if travel to Singapore is available to you.

• Access Self-Help Tool Here: www.safetravel.ica.gov.sg/arriving/overview
• Work Visas: As you’ll likely be looking to stay temporarily, you can explore the work visas and permit options here: www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits

Singapore Serviced Apartments

Most ex-pats in Singapore will choose a serviced apartment for themselves and their family. These allow you to stay anywhere from a few weeks, to multiple months. Check out the range of serviced apartments for different budgets here.

There are super helpful online guides that break down the cost of moving to and living in Singapore, based on your lifestyle. They go into detail about apartment prices, transport, visa, food, and more.

• Helpful Cost-of-Living guide in Singapore: Article here.
• For more in-depth detail about relocating to Singapore, read this article.
• Helpful YouTube Video about moving to Singapore during Covid-19 2022: Watch here
• Facebook group for Expats making a life in Singapore. Sharing resources and a space to ask questions and make connections. Join Here
• A list of international schools in Singapore for short-term education for expats can be found here.
• Hong Kong Embassy in Singapore: www.visahq.de/en/hong-kong/embassy/singapore

Thailand (Phuket): Top Places For Short Term Escapes From Hong Kong *Time Zone OK!

Another top option for expats temporality reallocating from Hong Kong is Phuket in Thailand. You’ll get the island-vibes and some city luxuries, plus a lower cost of living than Hong Kongers are used to, which is a plus.

Travelling to Thailand During Covid 2022

The ‘no quarantine’ programs that Thailand offers are called the “Phuket Test and Go” and the “Phuket Sandbox.” The Thai government implemented a travel safe system in 2021 called the “Phuket Sandbox”, which allows travelers to enter Thailand without quarantine, given that they meet vaccination requirements. This scheme is similar to the VTL that Singapore offers.

The Sandbox program requires travelers to still take a Covid PCR test, and to stay a week in Phuket (but not confined to staying indoors the whole time) before they travel to other destinations. If you’re looking to temporarily relocate to Phuket, then the one-week period isn’t even relevant, as you’ll be finding a place to live in Phuket.

• More information about the current Sandbox policies for travels can be found here
• Information on which visas Hong Kong residents are eligible for in Thailand, read here

Helpful Articles

• On moving to Phuket: Here
• Guide to living in Phuket: Here
• Website for information about living and relocating to Phuket as an expat: www.internations.org/phuket-expats

Where to live in Phuket as an expat

• Phuket Town: least touristy area, prominent Chinatown centre, modern shopping and business district.
• For quiet beachside towns: Karon and Kata Beaches and Chalong
• Beachside towns (more tourists): Patong Kathu (a small town close to Phuket town, if you don’t want to be right in the city energy)
• Explore the serviced apartment options in Phuket here (the most options will be in Phuket town and by Patong beach)

More Helpful Resources:

• Helpful YouTube video about using the Sandbox program and relocating to Thailand in 2022: Watch here
• Facebook group for Phuket ex-pats to ask questions, explore the discussions and get advice from people who have relocated. Join here
• The top international schools to consider as an ex-pat moving to Phuket: www.international-schools-database.com/in/phuket/top-schools-in-phuket
• Hong Kong Embassy in Thailand: www.visahq.de/en/hong-kong/embassy/thailand

Bali: Top Places For Short Term Escapes From Hong Kong *Time Zone OK!

Not too far from Hong Kong is the stunning island of Bali. Once a top destination for people searching for an island vacation, Bali is beginning to open its borders for tourists with more relaxed quarantine policies.

Travelling to Bali during Covid 2022

You’ll need to apply for a long-term stay visa in advance, which can give you around 6 months, or longer depending on your work situation. Note from March 7, 2022, Bali does not require a quarantine from 23 countries! Take a look at the government website.

• More information about travelling to Bali: Entry Requirements to Bali and Visas for Bali

Where to live in Bali:

Some of the best places to live in Bali as an expat include:

• Canggu: hip town on the south coast with plenty of surf beaches, close proximity to international schools, and where most expat families choose to live. Lots of recreation clubs and after school sports and activities for kids are around Canggu and Seminyak.
• Seminyak: close to Canggu and even closer to Denpasar, the capital city in Bali where most business occurs. Seminyak also has a lot of beaches and great food.
• Ubud: Since the pandemic, Ubud has been much quieter. There are new kids’ playgrounds and after school activities, and the famous international ‘Green School’ is found in Ubud.
• What to know about renting a villa in Bali: www.littlestepsasia.com/bali/family-life/relocation-and-moving/renting-villas-bali
• More family fun activities and resources in Bali can be found in this helpful guide.
• Learn more about the best places to live in Bali here: www.asiaexchange.org/blogs/best-areas-live-bali
• Explore international school options in Bali: CLICK HERE
• A helpful YouTube video explaining what to expect in moving to Bali: Watch here
• Hong Kong Embassy in Indonesia: www.visahq.de/en/hong-kong/embassy/indonesia

Japan (Tokyo): Top Places For Short Term Escapes From Hong Kong *Time Zone OK!

Japan isn't only close to Hong Kong to travel for a short term getaway, but also has some similar energy in the busy city of Tokyo, which is one of the favourite expat landing places.

Travelling to Japan during Covid 2022

The Japanese government announced recently that from March 2022, Japan will be open for foreign business trips and students with a proper visa. If you’re able to obtain a business visa or related work permit, and one for your children if you’re taking your family, then Japan is an option for a temporary relocation.

• Information on visa eligibility and the process to obtain a visa to move to Japan: www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page22e_000921.html
• Helpful article on travelling to Japan in 2022 during the pandemic: Read here
• Informative YouTube video with information on moving to Japan in 2022: Watch here
• Find serviced apartments in Tokyo: www.realestate-tokyo.com/rent/monthly-apartments
• Great resource for the top international schools in Tokyo for expats: www.international-schools-database.com/in/tokyo/top-schools-in-tokyo
• Cost of living in Japan: Read here
• How to move to Japan: Read here
• Hong Kong Embassy in Japan: www.visahq.de/en/hong-kong/embassy/japan

Mexico: Top Places For Short Term Escapes From Hong Kong *Time Zone A Bit Tricky

Why not? Mexico is one of the most accessible places to travel and live as an ex-pat during the current pandemic. It stayed relatively open the entire time, within some lockdowns over the past few years. Currently, it is very open and operating as normal, with hardly any restrictions to enter. The cost of living is also quite desirable, even in the main center of Mexico City.

Travelling to Mexico during Covid 2022

There is no vaccination required or quarantine, and obtaining a long-term tourist visa or working permit is quite easy. You would start the process at a Mexican Consulate in Hong Kong, and complete the visa process once you arrive.

• More info on Covid restrictions/requirements to enter Mexico: Read this article
• More about the cost of living in Mexico: www.mexperience.com/cost-of-living-in-mexico-ebook
• List of international schools in Mexico City for expats: www.international-schools-database.com/in/mexico-city/top-schools-in-mexico-city

Where to stay in Mexico

• Mexico City: For stimulating events, nightlife, a huge range of food, and business opportunities/collaborations. Also, a good range of international schools.
• Cancun: More touristy, but beautiful beaches and plenty of access to modern amenities.
• Puerto Escondido: Surf-lovers come here to escape. Good if you’re looking to have some downtime. Or head to Oaxaca City for more modern amenities and more schooling options.
• San Miguel De Allende: Voted one of the most desirable small cities to live on the globe, there are many retired expats here. It’s small and quiet. Preferable if you don’t have kids.
• More options for expats to live in Mexico: www.expatra.com/guides/mexico/the-6-best-places-to-live-in-mexico-for-expats
• YouTube video on what to know about moving to Mexico in 2022: Watch here 
• Hong Kong Embassy in Mexico: www.visahq.de/en/hong-kong/embassy/mexico