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Have been to NYC, Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei. If you are interested in clean, modern, safe, with party vibe, NYC is last. Shanghai dwarfs NYC. Tokyo beats out NYC too. Even little Taipei has a 24 hour nightlife more fun and much safer than NYC. If you like Asian food, why go to NYC? East Asia is where the action is, especially to do business. Sad to say, US is heading backwards into socialism.
I think this thread should have stayed on the world forum. The Asia forum is likely going to have an anti-New York bias.
Though you'll also have to adjust for the fact that this is an English-language site based in the US targeted to a mainly US audience. I'm going to guess that swings things more than being on the Asia subforum.
Anyhow, have you had a chance to go to all three? I really think NYC can take a lot of cues from the other two cities, though there are endemic problems of poverty, violence and relative lack of civic responsibility that won't be magically solved anytime soon.
I've spent a week in Tokyo and have been to NYC countless times. I haven't yet been to HK.
Whoever said that HK has the largest economy is wrong. HK's GDP is approximately 214 billion. That's less than Philadelphia. NYC's GDP is around 1.2 trillion (the second largest in the world) and Tokyo's GDP is around 1.8 trillion (the largest in the world by a large margin). Hong Kong's economy isn't in the same league as the other two cities.
Tokyo's economy is the largest, but an English-only speakers ability to participate in that economy is relatively limited. There is still a lot of opportunity for English speakers, due to the size of the economy, but by no means will you have the career potential that you would in NYC for likely anything but teaching ESL.
I loved Tokyo, however it is very much a working city. It's a city built for business, not tourists. As such, tourist attractions are surprisingly limited for a city of its size. Park space is relatively limited from what one would expect of a city of its size, as are cultural attractions. All of these amenities exist, but not in the number that would suggest that they were even second priority for city planners. NYC wins for urban greenery and culture, once you get over the general aspect of being in a different culture in Tokyo.
Tokyo is about hidden gems: restaurants, nightlife, the back alley curiosity or book store, and local interaction. You could likely spend a lifetime discovering Tokyo, but what it offers won't make much of an attempt to reach out and find you like it does in NYC or in cities in Europe. It's a city of glass and concrete. You have to be in-the-know, or make a happy discovery (which will happen often) to discover the meat of Tokyo.
In my perspective, Tokyo does a better job of integrating the best of western cuisine than NYC does at integrating the best of Japanese or Asian cuisine in general. Meaning, you an easily find top tier western cuisine in Tokyo but the reverse is seldom true. Therefore, I'd give the restaurant nod to Tokyo.
I prefer NYC for ease of living and career opportunities, but most of that preference arises out of my ability to better access the city because I speak English. If I spoke Japanese, my opinion might change but it's hard to know. The safety of Tokyo is certainly compelling, as is the envy-worthy ubiquitous adherence to a code of manners and behavior. As long as you make an effort to respect the system (take your shoes off at the appropriate times, don't jaywalk, etc.), as a visitor, it makes Tokyo a genteel place to visit for the most part. It's quite eye opening.
^ great post, Tokyo doesn't advertise it's tourist attractions as much as the other two. Hong Kong gets 20 million people a year, which is pretty incredible. For urban greenery I'd say HK is best, because there's a lot of areas near the city you can get away to that are still forested. Well they're not in the city per se, i guess HK doesn't have many city parks though.
I travel to all three cities pretty extensively as part of my job, certainly NYC and HK but much less Tokyo nowadays. In terms of "global cities", London should certainly be included. Tokyo is the political/financial capital of Japan but it is relatively less "global" than the other three cities. When looking at HK, should also factor in the rest of the Pearl River Delta (especially Macau and Shenzhen) as they're part of an integrating urban area. Anyway, between NYC, HK and Tokyo, here is my two cents.
Urban living: It depends, but probably NYC, especially factoring in the suburbs as the living environment in the US is relatively more spacious. On the other hand, some people really like the convenient of cities like HK and Tokyo, where pretty much most things are easily within reach.
Nightlife: nowadays easily HK (including Macau and the rest of the PRD area) as it has wide range of activities. Major cities in Asia generally have a more vibrant nightlife than in the US. It probably has to do with the dense urban environment and culture. Pretty much a consensus among many of the expats that I've came across over the years. With Tokyo, language can be an issue.
Culture and history: no doubt Tokyo and NYC for their own respective historical and unique reasons. Tokyo is the capital of an ancient country with rich history. NYC is one of the core foundations in the founding of the US and what the country stands for. Relatively speaking, HK falls short in this area. The PRD is home to Cantonese culture, HK/Macau also both former European colonies, but overall just doesn't have that national richness (any renaissance of ancient Chinese high-culture will inevitably be in the Yangtze River Delta - "Jiang Nan").
Public transportation: HK a bit of an edge of Tokyo given it 's easier to get around in the former British colony. In addition, the infrastructures under development (such as high speed rail, HK-Macau bridge, etc) across the PRD will further transform the area.
Restaurants/Food: All three are great, with no clear edge. Sum it up would be NYC has the most diverse offerings from around the world, HK has the combination of the very best of the east and west, while Tokyo just generally high quality all around.
Shopping: nowadays would be HK given the massive expansion of its retail industry over the recent years, last year's slowdown notwithstanding, no other major cities come close to that (due to the arrival of mainland Chinese tourists). HK has become the single largest market/city for luxury goods retailing, with widest range of products (Europeans, Americans, Japanese, Koreans, etc). At the other end of the price spectrum, one can hop across to Shenzhen for bargains.
Tourist sites: NYC and HK have done more to develop their tourists attractions (HK tourism really expanded with the arrival of mainland tourists). Tokyo certainly has much to offer given its history and uniqueness but relatively less profiled.
Economy and career opportunities: In terms of total GDP output, the Tokyo metro is the largest followed by NY metro area. HK factoring in the rest of the PRD area would effectively be the 3rd largest. So effectively they're the three largest urban area economies. The finance industry plays a key role in all three, especially with regards to NYC and HK. Tokyo is more domestic oriented while NYC and HK more outward orientation. Given the importance of the US and China in the global economy, the discussion is really between NYC and HK in this regards. From career opportunities and growth perspective, HK should have an edge given Asia should continue to have more structural growth underpinning, the further development of the PRD and China's financial reform still has some ways to go.
Global influence/importance: Economically NYC followed by HK (after all they're two of the so called "Nylonkong" - the three financial capitals that move the global economy). Culturally, there're a number of cities with NYC certainly among them. Within Asia now, it's more likely to be Seoul ("Korean wave"). In terms of geopolitics, it's about the "strategic triangle" of Washington, Beijing and Moscow. So no matter how you measure it, in terms of relative influence, Japan peaked back in the 80s.
Urban and natural scenery: The skyline and night view in HK, especially the Victoria Harbor, is unbeatable. However, NYC and Tokyo has arguably more interesting urban neighborhoods. No strong opinion with natural scenery, but inclination would be to give Tokyo a slight edge.
Cleanliness: Tokyo by distance, no comparison.
Entertainment/Recreation: Just depends on personal preference. All three have plenty of activities.
Cost of living: all three are among the highest in the world. All else being equal, you might end up with more discretionary spending (or wasting money) in HK just because of the environment.
Location in the world: In Asia Pac, HK no doubt has the best location as it sits right in the middle of the region. Key parts of the region (northeast, southeast, south, etc) are all within reasonable reach, that is why it's such a big logistic hub. Globally, it is actually London as it crosses both Asia and the Americas time zone.
Other criteria: HK has the lowest tax rate. Crime rate of the cities. Weather could be a factor for some.
Which do you personally prefer? HK and NYC are more outward looking cities. HK should in theory have more professional growth and economic opportunities for reasons stated above. Tokyo is a great place visit but less practical to live especially for foreigners. Ultimately, depends on personal preference.
Last edited by Bigben_usa; 02-11-2015 at 11:08 PM..
Agree with Tokyo being less global than the other cities, the obvious reason many can think of is the lack of english usage in Tokyo,and that is due to those cities being part of the British Empire in the past.
Snowfall is heavier and colder in NYC.
Tokyo is not the histroic capital of Japan, it is Kyoto.
Other than Hanzhou and Nanjing, Shanghai is not really historic. Beijing, Xian, Kaifeng and Luoyang were important capitals of Chinese dynasties.
Luxury shopping in HK nowadays have most of their customers being mainland chinnese.
Korean products have become popular and sold everywhere in HK in recent years. Shoppers from mainland china goto HK for brands of developed countries, and sold cheaper than in other places. Bargains are plentiful in smallers shops and open markets in Hong Kong, not in the shopping malls.
Going to Shenzhen, an expensive visa is required and long lines at immigration in 2 checkpoints.
NYC seems to be a real city with no countryside as opposed to cities in Asia. Tokyo is highly profiled in nearby Asian countries, South Koreans, Taiwanese and HKers in particular know quite a lot about Tokyo and Japan, but is less profiled in the West.
Agree international finance is relatively less important in Tokyo and other Asian cities.
Cleanliness and politness. Japan. Americans and Chinese are not of the same calibre on this.
Efficiency, all 3 are good, all are fast cities, not slow paced lifestyles.
Cost of living, without the accomodation part, HK is the cheapest.
Location, HK is like between Northeast and Southeast Asia. It is still regarded as in East Asia like China.
What was said is about the same for HK women. Most of them are not interested in foreigners.
Both Japan and HK being developed countries aren't like Thailand and the Phillippines of course. The latter have a reputation of sex tourism, there is an area called Wanchai in HK, many prostitutes from Southeast Asia and Latin America are visible there , it is a bit like Pattaya. They target Western men, not Asian men.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ErikJohnsson
These are usually not the best places to pick up one night stands unless that girl is in the group you go with.
You can find one night stands in NYC as well and spend less money.Japan isn't like Thailand and I found women overall are harder to pick up there than in the US. The only advantage Japan has is foreign friendly bars, mainly in Roppongi, where women overly into foreigners can be found easier. I think that gets a bit too weird if you're living there for awhile as that is a hotspot for tourist men looking fr easy women.
The rest of the women, the vast majority, can't speak or understand English, and have little to no interest in foreigners (you aren't Japanese, they are, they expect you can't speak Japanese, they question your motives as they know many western foreigners think Japanese women are super easy, they expect you won't be staying in Japan, they have no interest in leaving Japan, etc.)
Walking around in downtown HK Island and Kowloon, one can see people(mostly visitors) from different parts of the world. Even the Americans and Japanese said they don't see such great diversity in their cities back home. But yet, most residents of HK are ethnic Chinese.
Quote:
Originally Posted by choroneko
Hong Kong is a big city with diverse inhabitants. Home to many banks as headquarters. Business and economy is booming in Hong Kong. Please elaborate your issue.
Tokyo is not the histroic capital of Japan, it is Kyoto.
Japan has a long history and has multiple historical capitals. Tokyo is definitely one of those.
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