Travel Guides & Tips in this video
- Tip 1Be aware of the extremely high housing costs in Hong Kong, especially when comparing it to other global cities. Budgeting for accommodation should be a top priority. (0:27)
- Tip 2Explore the diverse range of buildings in Hong Kong, from luxury high-rises to older structures in need of repair. This visual contrast offers a glimpse into the city's economic inequalities. (2:11)
- Tip 3Understand the difference between 'coffin homes' and 'cage homes,' both representing extreme forms of subdivided housing. These terms highlight the dire living conditions faced by some residents. (3:04)
- Tip 4Avoid generalizations about Hong Kong's housing situation. While cage homes exist, they don't represent the living conditions of every resident. Explore the nuances of the city's diverse housing landscape. (4:28)
- Tip 5Learn about the historical context of cage homes, tracing their origins to the city's rapid population growth and immigration patterns. This historical perspective provides crucial insight into the present-day crisis. (5:52)
- Tip 6Recognize the complexity of Hong Kong's housing crisis, considering the roles of skyrocketing real estate prices, stagnant salaries, and limited public housing. This understanding is key to appreciating the challenges faced by residents. (7:13)
- Tip 7Prepare for high costs beyond housing. Groceries, gasoline, and other daily expenses are also significantly more expensive in Hong Kong than in many other places. Factor these costs into your travel budget. (8:29)
Alina's journey into Hong Kong unveils a startling contrast: a city of towering skyscrapers and immense wealth juxtaposed with a severe housing crisis. Thousands reside in cage homes—metal-mesh cubicles barely larger than a bed—a reality hidden beneath the city's glamorous facade. The video explores the causes of this crisis, from skyrocketing real estate prices fueled by foreign investment to insufficient public housing. Alina's exploration offers a poignant look at the lives of those affected, highlighting the human cost of this stark inequality and questioning the government's priorities.
More about the current video:( 13 / 13 )
This video explores the stark realities of Hong Kong's housing crisis, a topic brought to light by Alina's journey through the city's contrasting landscapes. Hong Kong, a global financial hub renowned for its skyscrapers and vibrant culture, also grapples with one of the world's most expensive real estate markets. This disparity creates a harsh reality for thousands forced into living in cage homes and coffin homes—tiny, cramped spaces that barely accommodate a bed.
The high cost of living, particularly housing, is a significant challenge. A one-bedroom apartment can easily cost over \$2,500 per month, and the average cost per square meter for an apartment is around \$40,000. This is partly due to Hong Kong's geographical constraints—75% of its territory is mountainous and unsuitable for building. The city's numerous skyscrapers are a direct response to this high demand for housing.
Alina visits areas made famous by influencers, highlighting the contrast between the tourist-friendly images and the harsh realities faced by residents. She explains that "cage homes" and "coffin homes" are subdivided apartments, often shared by numerous people with minimal personal space. Cage homes are essentially metal mesh structures, while coffin homes are slightly larger, subdivided cabins within apartments.
The video clarifies that not all residents of these buildings live in such extreme conditions. Alina shows an example of a small one-room apartment shared by a local man and his daughter, emphasizing that the extreme housing conditions are more prevalent among immigrants from nearby countries like the Philippines and Pakistan.
The history of cage homes is traced back to the 1950s, when mass immigration and rapid population growth led to the subdivision of apartments. While Hong Kong's economy boomed under British rule, the shift towards financial services and low taxes attracted foreign investors, driving up real estate prices and exacerbating the housing crisis. The government's focus on revenue generation through land sales, rather than investing in public housing, is presented as a contributing factor to the ongoing problem.
The video concludes with statistics highlighting the scale of the crisis: an estimated 200,000 people live in subdivided apartments, including cage homes and coffin homes. The government's promised reforms are slow, leaving little hope for those currently living in these substandard conditions. Alina's personal observations and interviews paint a vivid picture of the challenges faced by ordinary Hong Kong residents, contrasting the city's opulent image with the struggles of its less fortunate inhabitants.
