Depending on how you see it, Hong Kong is either a sprawling metropolis brimming with profitability or a curious leftover of colonialism. Frequented by men in suits from all over the world, it is a global city which plays host to hundreds of multinationals. However, while westerners may fly in and out without giving much thought to the locals, their lives are far from modern or progressive.
Hong Kong is home to more millionaires per square mile than any other city which, on the face of it, seems like a good thing. However, all this money has actually made it a fairly inhospitable place. It has the highest rent of any city in the world - meaning many people are priced out of regular housing.
Instead, thousands of the city’s inhabitants live in “bedspace apartments”. Here, residents live in coffin-like boxes or narrow, metal cages. Overcrowded and often unhygienic, it is a life far removed from the comfort of the Rolls Royces which prowl the city.
“My previous rent was HK$3,000 [$380]. That was too expensive, so I came here,” explains bedspace apartment resident Choi Wan to Rice Media. “I get HK$1,800 [$230] from the government, and my friends give me HK$100 [$13] extra to help me pay my rent. Many volunteers come and donate food. I don’t know how I would survive otherwise.”
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According to the Society for Community Organization, around 100,000 people live in inadequate housing in Hong Kong. Often, a regular apartment will be subdivided into two to three separate residences. If that means that one of these residences doesn’t have a kitchen then, in many cases, residents simply make do and cook in the bathroom. Here, wages simply can't keep up with the cost of living.
“I am 70 years old now, no one will employ me,” says Michael, another resident. “I used to be a security guard.” Like many of his peers, he survives on money - the equivalent of $640 per month - from the government. “My favourite food is rice,” he continues. “I like char siu fan [barbecue pork and rice]. I know a place you can get it for HK$20 [$2.50].” Michael then adds: “But the money always runs out.”
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“I used to be a security guard too, but I got very sick,” explains Sam. “My liver has a lot of problems and I cannot work anymore. No one will hire someone who falls sick all the time.”
The cages tend to measure 6ft by 2.5ft and house everything from clothing to cooking equipment. Often, pads, yoga mats or old linoleum are used as a barrier against the wooden slats of the cages - where bedbugs lurk. In most cases, the cages of Hong Kong’s highrises can be seen as an unfortunate symptom a fractured society. But others are taking a more pragmatic approach.
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Sandy Wong is a Chinese entrepreneur who believes that his pods - or “luxury cage homes” as they are being called - are the answer to Hong Kong’s housing problem. Costing somewhere between $360 and $580, they provide creature comforts such as wifi, charging ports, air conditioning and a light-up mirror which bathes the pod in a futuristic purply blue light.
Installing as many as 18 of these pods in small to medium sized apartments, it would still be something of a nightmare for anyone with claustrophobia. Furthermore, they are not without their detractors and are an easy target for anyone keen to see the problem solved rather than the situation normalised.
However, they do provide a temporary solution to a housing crisis which doesn’t look like it’s going away. “[Inadequate housing] is an issue that can't be solved,” Wong Explains to CNN. “But if you're living in these comparatively nicer spaces, then you can accept sharing facilities.”
Often, up to 20 people live in spaces of around 300 square ft (28 square metres). However, bedspace apartment resident Sam seeks refuge in the open air. “It’s nice there and there is fresh air,” he says, speaking fondly of his local park. “It’s better than being inside all day. Then I come home and sleep.”
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Here in Hong Kong, the median property price is 19 times the median annual household income. It is a means to an end not just for those who rely on government support, but also those who work regular jobs but can’t afford the extortionate rent.Within spitting distance from these overcrowded tower blocks are soaring skyscrapers containing some of the world’s most luxurious apartments. From the marble-clad comfort of these sprawling residences, the cages of the tower blocks opposite are almost visible. In no other city is the divide between rich and poor this stark.
A housing complex exists with over 20,000 residents who have no reason to ever leave it as everything they could possibly need is contained inside.
When looking for a place to live, many of us choose to buy or rent somewhere that's convenient for the commute to work, near to good schools for children, or even just close to amenities such as shopping and nightlife.
Well, all those boxes and more are ticked for the 20,000 residents of the massive Regent International complex in Hangzhou’s central business district Qianjiang Century City.
Those living in the 675-foot-tall S-shaped building, which is one of the largest buildings in China at 260,000 square feet, have little to no reason to ever leave their block as everything they could need is contained within.
The building, which can accommodate a total of 30,000 residents at full capacity, offers a wide variety of amenities and businesses spread across 36 or 39 floors depending on which side of the building you live on.
Residents have access to an enormous food court as well as nail salons, hairdressers and barbershops, medium-sized supermarkets, and even internet cafes.
They can also relax with a swim in an on-site pool, should they choose to remain in the building.
While it may seem a bit claustrophobic to spend your entire existence never stepping foot outside your building, the Regent International has been fascinating social media users.
One TikToker showed just how gargantuan the building was by using drone footage, and the housing has also been praised for being super sustainable by having everything under one roof.
The building was designed by Alicia Loo, who was the chief designer of Singapore Sands, the world's second seven-star hotel, and the building was initially intended to be a six-star hotel.
The building is in Qianjiang Century City, a central business district in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province of China. Credit: Zhu Hanxiao/VCG via Getty Images
It ended up being made into thousands of apartments instead, proving hugely popular with students and graduates, who make up the majority of the residents, along with young professionals as well as small business owners and influencers.
The units are also very affordable, with Chinese news agency Sin reporting that small apartments usually go for around 1,500 Chinese Yuan, which equates to around $210 a month, though those apartments usually come without windows.
If you'd prefer to enjoy some natural light and a bit of outdoor space, larger units with balconies are still pretty cheap at 4,000 Yuan ($562) a month.
After videos of the complex were shared on TikTok, social media users shared their thoughts... and they weren't all so positive.
"Scary building! If there are structure issues, how will they fix it.. I would feel so unsafe in it," one person commented.
A second added: "This stresses me out.. what's the fire drill situation like?"
"As an introvert, this would be my greatest nightmare," a third wrote.
And a fourth commented: "[You] can have a long distance relationship in the same building."
Personally, I'd definitely be forking out the extra for some more space, fresh air, and natural light but each to their own.
Bill Gates is estimated to become the world's first trillionaire. Oxfam proposed that it could happen in the next 25 years, meaning he would be 86 years old when he hits the 13 digits. Astonishingly, even though the founder of Microsoft is no longer working at the tech company, his net worth has still increased by $25 billion since retiring.
The 62-year-old is currently the world's richest person, estimated to have a net worth of $87.9 billion right now. So what would he do if he was forced to live on only $2 per day, as nearly half of the world's population living in poverty does?
Apparently, he'd get himself a nice little brood of chickens.
"There's no single right answer, of course, and poverty looks different in different places," Gates wrote in a blog post.
"But through my work with the foundation, I've met many people in poor countries who raise chickens, and I have learned a lot about the ins and outs of owning these birds. It's pretty clear to me that just about anyone who's living in extreme poverty is better off if they have chickens."
He said that chickens are a worthwhile investment because they cost hardly anything to buy and take care of, plus you can eat them and their eggs. I mean, it's sensible and a healthy choice of protein, but still – could you really eat your own chickens? Well, if you're desperate – of course you can.
Gate's business plan has been analysed by Chris Weller, a Tech Insider reporter, who agreed that owning chickens was a good investment for someone with low income.
"Through research and trips to West Africa, Gates has found that after a period of three months, a typical owner of eight to 10 chickens can yield a flock of 40 chicks," Weller said. "With a sale price of $5 per chicken, which Gates notes is typical in West Africa, an owner can earn over $1,000 a year. The extreme-poverty line, meanwhile, hovers around $700 a year."
The Microsoft founder stepped down as CEO of the company 17 years ago and later left his position as Chairman in 2008. But he hasn't just been rolling in his cash or sitting around hypothesising about things. Rather, he's spending a good chunk of his fortune on various projects at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
His idea to own chickens if he were to be living below the poverty line is for a good cause, with the foundation teaming up with the Heifer International charity that donates livestock to poor families around the world. The idea is to help 30% of families in sub-Saharan Africa to raise chickens.
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It's just one of few initiatives the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is supporting. Gates started the charitable foundation with his wife the year he left Microsoft and has been working on it full-time ever since. Between its inception and the end of 2016, they had given away an astonishing $41.3 billion towards things like malaria prevention in Mozambique, college costs for US students, and anti-smoking programs in China.
While he's on track to being the world's first trillionaire, you can't say that he isn't putting a lot of his money to good causes. Good on you Bill. Now, I'm off to get some chickens and begin my route to being a trillionaire as well.
A college student has resorted to flying to attend his classes because it's cheaper than renting near his campus.
Renting isn't cheap, especially for a student who is carrying bags of debt and just trying to make ends meet - usually resulting in eating the cheapest food possible.
While a lot of students will blow their money on having the time of their lives, others are a bit more financially responsible... even if that means a long commute.
Tim Chen, a final-year economics student at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, Canada, has a fairly unique way of avoiding paying rent.
The student flies to attend his classes each week. Credit: Greg Bajor/Getty
He undertakes a nearly two-hour flight to attend classes at UBC due to soaring off-campus housing prices.
"I thought, why don't I just stay at Calgary and then just fly here, it's like a one-hour flight, that's like the same as taking a bus," Chen shared with CTV News.
Describing his unique approach as super-commuting, according to a Reddit post, Chen manages just two on-campus classes per week. His unconventional choice stems from the extortionate rent he encountered in Vancouver when he returned from vacation last fall.
"When I checked the house price I thought, oh shoot, there was a big increase! I need to pay like $2,500 for the rent, so I don't feel like it's viable," he explained.
Opting for a nonstop round-trip flight from Calgary to Vancouver, costing roughly $111, Chen calculates he spends approximately $890 monthly while residing at his parents' home in Calgary.
This alternative proves significantly cheaper compared to the average $1,550 rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Vancouver, known as the country's most expensive city to live in.
"I've got three hours of class in total, after the class, I go back to the bus and go back to the airport," Chen said.
Despite the distance - Vancouver lies approximately 430 miles west of Calgary - air travel reduces his commute to a mere one hour and 40 minutes.
The soaring rent prices in Vancouver have forced some students to take extreme measures when thinking about accommodation, with a few opting to live in vans.
Vancouver is Canada's most expensive city for rent. Credit: Christine Nanji/Getty
"This was the only financially viable option as I couldn't afford a bachelor suite by myself," remarked Xelian Louw, another UBC student, to CTV News in October 2022.
UBC, with an enrollment of 58,590 students, provides guaranteed housing for first-year students, with options available for returning undergraduates and graduate students, according to US News and World Report.
While it may not be great for the environment, it certainly saves on rent!
In almost every part of the world, having your own home is a luxury. The cost of buying a house is extreme enough, but when you add to that the amount which people spend on decorating, remodeling, and maintenance, you're looking at a small fortune, at least.
It's no wonder, then, that some people will go to extreme lengths to keep their homes. Maybe because it's the place they grew up in, maybe because they'd spent years making it just right, or maybe (and sadly) because some of them had nowhere else to go.
Here are 13 examples of people who refused to leave their residences - sometimes even when whole new towns were being built around them.
1. Oh, you wanted this land? Not gonna happen
2. I'm no health and safety expert, but this doesn't look ok
3. And this doesn't look much better, either
4. One of these things is not like the others
5. This is actually a house for trolls
6. How do these people sleep?
7. At least it has ample parking space
8. Half the house, half the problems
9. Home is where the heart is, and this guy's is outside an apartment block
10. This woman was offered millions, and she turned it down. Twice.
11. When you're the short one in the group
12. This is world-class stubbornness right here
13. Guess we finally know why the chicken crossed the road
When you consider that some of these people were probably offered a hefty sum of cash in order to up sticks, their resistance is actually quite admirable. Maybe a bit stupid, too. But it just goes to show that some people would do anything for their homes.
Renting is all part of the parcel of life for Millenials - and others too, but mostly Millenials. And when you don't own the property you're living in, it means you're at the mercy of your landlord when it comes to general maintenance. Now, writing as a Millenial renter, I can attest to the value of a good landlord who is willing to send out a handyman in the middle of the night to sort a bleeping fire alarm, and a bad one who insisted that it was my responsibility to find replacement tenants for three of the rooms in my apartment (equating to over $2,000 in rent).
However, compared to some people on the internet, my experience of the bad side of landlords has been, well, a walk in the park. From landlords who literally jail the thermostats in apartments to others who let their property's swimming pool turn into Shrek's swap, here is a list of 30 negligent landlords whose tenants decided to take pictures of the unthinkable...
Ah, mushrooms. They're a great source of protein if you're a vegetarian like me (honestly, until you've had a Portobello mushroom on a burger, you haven't lived), but the last place you want to find them is growing from your ceiling!
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This disturbing snap was captioned: "So my friend's landlord thinks this is no big deal." No one wants an unwelcome guest in their abode - let alone a cluster of mushrooms. I guess they could cook them?!
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[post_page_title]The future is here[/post_page_title]
The future is here, and it looks a lot like George Orwell's 1984. Y'know, the terrifying dystopian novel which depicts a future where people's every move is watched by The Party, or, in this case, their landlord...
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"My landlord pretended to do work in the flat," this picture was captioned, "But ended up installing this 360° wifi surveillance camera which also records audio without telling me about it."
There's nothing worse or more dangerous than a cold flat in the winter. Sure, heating is expensive, but if you want to be comfortable and healthy, it's a necessity.
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That awkward moment when your 'thermostat' is actually just hanging on a nail and doesn't control the temperature whatsoever," this picture was captioned. "Shout out to the best landlords ever."
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[post_page_title]Slugs... SLUGS[/post_page_title]
Does anyone else remember that iconic scene from one of the early Harry Potter movies where Ron tells Malfoy to eat slugs and it backfires on himself? I imagine that this what happened between this tenant and their landlord.
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This picture was captioned: "Landlords didn't believe me when I tried to tell them we had a slug infestation. Said they've never heard of such a problem."
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[post_page_title]Whatever this is supposed to be[/post_page_title]
Sometimes landlords attempt 'repair' jobs that are so bizarre, so breathtakingly awful, that there really are no words to describe them. This is an example...
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This Reddit user captioned this monstrosity: "This is how the landlord fixed the leaky ceiling." This looks like the work of a child!
Your home is where your most valuable possessions reside - and you, which is why security is of the utmost importance. No one wants to endure a break-in, but unfortunately, it looks like it's inevitable for this tenant.
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"My landlord finally installed a new gated entryway," this picture was sarcastically captioned. "I feel so much safer now."
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[post_page_title]The crack[/post_page_title]
Whenever I see a large crack anywhere, I'm automatically reminded of disaster movies. Whether it's the result of an earthquake, aliens, or simply a dodgy landlord, it's never a good sign.
If you thought that mushroom growing from the ceiling in the first image was a one-off, I'm afraid you're mistaken. There are countless renters out there living in properties that are prime fungal real estate...
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"I've been arguing with my landlord about water seeping into my apartment for 2 months now," this Reddit user explained. "Found this little guy today."
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[post_page_title]Danger mould[/post_page_title]
If you're living in rented accommodation and see something that looks sinister, chances are that it is, and if your landlord refuses to fix it, get the heck out of there for the sake of your health. Cheap rent isn't worth it.
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"A leak my landlord refuses to fix. Is this mold? Is it dangerous?" this Reddit user questioned.
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[post_page_title]Revenge is sweet[/post_page_title]
Sometimes landlords think that they have one up on their tenants, but if they forget crucial details of their arrangements, the tenant can get their own back if they try to pull a fast one.
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"Landlord decided to turn down the heat today in my Mn apartment as it reached -40°," this Reddit user explained. "But the idiot must have forgotten he pays my electric and doesn't realize that I value my comfort over safety or energy conservation."
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[post_page_title]This elevator situation[/post_page_title]
When you rent a property that has an elevator, it's a given that usage of the elevator will be part of the parcel, but not for this landlord. He thought the existence of an elevator was a great money-making scheme.
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This caption really does speak for itself: "Landlord charges residents to use the elevator."
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[post_page_title]Safe[/post_page_title]
It's a legal requirement that many landlords have to put fire extinguishers in their properties... a requirement this landlord chose to ignore.
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This was sarcastically captioned: "My landlord is super serious about fire safety."
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[post_page_title]A big problem[/post_page_title]
If you're a landlord and don't maintain your properties, it only stands to reason that problems will worsen over time. This is something that this cheapskate learned the hard way.
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"Landlord responded right away when I sent him the second pic," this Reddit user wrote.
If you notice a drip from the ceiling, you need to get that sh*t sorted ASAP. Otherwise, you never know what could come crashing down on you. Let's just hope that there was no one in this sitting room when this happened!
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This picture was captioned: "Told my landlord that there was a drip coming from my ceiling about two weeks ago. They did nothing about it and I woke up to this morning."
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[post_page_title]Oh dear[/post_page_title]
Bathrooms are supposed to be relaxing places, and unless you're having renovations, they're the last room in the house that you want to look like a building site...
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"My ceiling caved in and the landlord said they won't fix it until it rains again and they can find the leak," this Reddit user revealed. Yeah, your guess about the logic behind that statement is as good as mine!
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[post_page_title]This cat flap[/post_page_title]
If you have an outdoor cat, a catflap is a necessity. Otherwise, your pet could end up left outside in the rain. However, maybe it's just me, but I've never seen a pizza box double as a cat flap before...
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This picture was captioned: "Landlord promised to install a cat flap in our back door after some security issues. Came home to this." There really are no words...
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[post_page_title]So dangerous[/post_page_title]
The most dangerous part of a house is arguably its electrical system, and if it gets to the stage below... yeah, I would rather live in a hostel temporarily or sofa surf than give money to a landlord like this one.
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This is yet another caption that reveals that landlords simply have no conscience: "Landlord ignored me for two months about my sparking outlet, got worried about a fire and did it myself and I find this."
In any property, the power bill will inevitably go up in the winter months, but this London landlord decided to take extreme action to make sure his outgoings remained the same...
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This Reddit user wrote: "Welcome to renting in London! My landlord has just put our thermostat in a cage." Writing as someone who has rented in London, all I can say it this: I'm glad I've never encountered a landlord this cheap!
Heating aside, one of the next most important features of any house is the bathroom. If you can't get a good shower, it can leave you feeling disgusting and groggy, but it turns out that some landlords simply don't understand what repair means.
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"Each time we ask our landlord to fix the shower they just add a new nozzle," this Reddit user revealed.
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[post_page_title]Joe the creep[/post_page_title]
Tenants and landlords have what is, to all intents and purposes, a professional relationship. But it turns out that some landlords can't help but be creepy. Landlords like Joe. AVOID.
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This horrendous exchange was captioned: "My friend asked me if this message from her 53-year-old landlord was creepy." Yes, the answer is yes. Now move out of there before it gets worse.
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[post_page_title]This balcony[/post_page_title]
The only time when it would ever be acceptable to repair a balcony with a single piece of wood would be after a natural disaster. Needless to say, this was not the case for this tenant.
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Apparently, this landlord had fixed the deck. Yeah, I wouldn't risk standing on that even if I was the doggo!
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[post_page_title]Title[/post_page_title]
Wow. Yet another shower disaster. I guess this person will just have to have a bath turned shower!
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At least this Reddit user has a good sense of humor. They captioned this picture: "Landlord fitted a shower head holder, perfect for when I finish my shift at the chocolate factory."
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[post_page_title]Locked in[/post_page_title]
As Tim Minchin once said, locks are supposed to keep the bad guys out, even if most of the time they keep people in. But it turns out that whoever owns this property, quite literally, never wanted their tenants to leave.
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This Reddit user explained: "Our landlord installed the locks to our front door backwards."
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[post_page_title]Incoming![/post_page_title]
Things should only ever really enter a property from the front door. Worst case, a window. But never a ceiling!
On the subject of things not working as they're supposed to, here's another glorious example. A nightmare situation if you're a fan of microwavable popcorn!
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Another caption that gives horrifying context to this monstrosity: "Landlord hung the microwave, this is as far as it opens before hitting the wall."
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[post_page_title]The Swamp[/post_page_title]
There was a good reason why Shrek wasn't exactly seen as handsome prince - he lived in a swamp. And if they ever decide to make a live-action sequel, I reckon they could actually shoot the movie here...
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"My 'oh so awesome' landlord quit cleaning my pool cause kids who weren't living here were playing in it," this Reddit user explained. It looks like water that's been pumped straight out of a swamp!
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[post_page_title]The Pool That's Closed Forever[/post_page_title]
One of the most important parts of any housing arrangement is ensuring that everything that comes with the property works as advertised...
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This picture was captioned: "My landlord said there was a pool, he failed to mention it is closed. Forever."
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[post_page_title]The silt table[/post_page_title]
There is cutting corners when it comes to property maintenance and then there is this. I guess you could call it a feat of engineering in its own right - and a lot of other things too!
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The explanation behind this bizarre creation? "We asked our landlord for a bigger table. He built us T."
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[post_page_title]How horrible[/post_page_title]
Unscrupulous landlords might have the ability to make their tenants' lives Hell, but it turns out that, in some instances, they can even harm wildlife. I wish I was kidding.
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"The landlord decided to get rid of this tree for no reason, additionally killing newborn birds in the process," this Reddit user wrote. For shame. Seriously.
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