In this Expat Interview, Carlo will show you what it’s like to live in Macau as an expat. You can understand the city better through the eyes of an expat, and get to know important information such as living cost in Macau, good and bad things about Macau, and how to prepare to move to here, etc.. All tips and advice about Expat life in Macau are here for you.
Macau – The Las Vegas of Asia
Macau is called the “Las Vegas of Asia” and the gambling capital in Asia. It is situated south of China and west of Hong Kong. Macau is a tiny city but it has a lot to offer. It is home to some of the biggest resort hotels and the largest casinos in the world. It is a metropolitan city but it is also rich with historical places having been colonized by Portugal for a couple of years. This multi-faceted city has welcomed millions of tourists every year and is continually proving travelers with once in a lifetime experience.
Let’s get to know about Carlo – our interviewee today :)
Carlo’s Background
Hi, my name is Carlo Madrid and I am currently working in Macau as a hotelier. Prior to this job, I didn’t have an experience in Hotel and Restaurant Management. I graduated from a university in the Philippines with a Bachelor of Political Science Major in International Relations. If you have asked me 12 years ago if I can see myself working in a hotel, my answer would be a big no. But, here I am now, a hotelier for more than ten years.
1. What was your moving procedure?
I graduated from college in 2006 and right after graduation I found a job as Customer Service Representative at one of the pioneer call center businesses in the Philippines. I worked at that call center for almost 16 months mostly on a graveyard shift.
It wasn’t an easy job and I was already feeling stressed out and already looking for some other jobs when I heard about Macau. I know that there is a place called Macau, but I didn’t know where it was on the map. It was my aunt who told me to try looking for a job, so I tendered my resignation abruptly and took the plane to the city I would later call my second home.
2. Why did you choose to live in Macau?
It wasn’t really a choice, I just wanted to move out and abandon my previous job and Macau just came at the right moment. I had almost zero knowledge about the city so it was sure a risky move.
3. How did you prepare to move to Macau?
To be honest, there wasn’t much of a preparation. I’ve just read a couple of articles about Macau, the jobs, the life, and the culture. I was still young during the move and I wasn’t really prepared to be an expat. It helped that I have a relative who supported my transition.
4. Did you experience any discrimination in Macau?
Discrimination will always be there whether at work, restaurants, or any other establishment. You just have to learn how to stand up and not to let yourself be bullied. I am lucky that I have Chinese friends who treat me like everybody else.
But for promotion for work? That’s entirely a different matter. The government does prioritize locals, so promotions are hard to come by.
5. How to overcome culture shock in Macau?
I think it is not a matter of overcoming it but embracing it. I decided to be an expat, so I prepared myself that it would be different from what I grew up with.
6. How to deal with difficulties of living in Macau?
There are lots of difficulties during the adjustment period. First, the language barrier. Macau speaks predominantly Chinese and ten years ago, English was just beginning to be spoken by locals. It was hard to communicate so I learned to master the “sign language” and studied basic Cantonese to be able to adapt.
Second, the food and culture. Macao has a very different culture compared to the Philippines so I needed to adjust and learn how to respect it which helped my understanding of other’s traditions and norms. Third, though I was lucky to have had found the job after only a week of searching, it wasn’t the job I really wanted to do. A means of helping my family motivated me to do it.
About the city
7. What do you like about Macau?
I love Macau because life here is simple: No traffic, less pollution, no intermittent internet connection, and most importantly, it is only a two-hour plane ride away from my home country, the Philippines. I also love Macao, because it has accepted me and many other expatriates who are working to provide a better life for our families back home.
Because of our jobs in Macao, some of us were able to send our brothers, sisters, and children to school. Some of us were able to build a house and invest in properties. All of us has been provided with means to have food on our table every day.
Because of that, I’ll forever be grateful to this city that I love. It is a bonus that Hong Kong is just a ferry away. A fast getaway to this neighboring city has never been easier.
8. Is there anything that you don’t like about Macau?
Humidity, I guess. If it’s summer it is not only hot but also very humid. Other than that, can’t think of any. Like what I said, life here is simple.
9. What are your favorite things to do in Macau?
Before, my daily routine was work-sleep-work, but I realized that there was so much to explore the city I once didn’t know.
Finding the hidden gems of Macau is my favorite thing to do. Exploring every corner of it is what has occupied my free time for the past years so as finding to new places to eat.
Beautiful nature in Macau
10. Where would you recommend to visit in Macau?
Macau is not all about casinos and big hotels. It is historically rich and there are many UNESCO world heritage sites here. I would recommend tourists to visit all of it.
11. Cost of living in Macau
Cost of living here is pretty expensive compared to some other countries in Asia. House rent is ridiculously high and dining out can be costly, too.
- Accommodation: My wife and I are currently renting a studio-type apartment with single bedroom and it costs, HKD4500 a month. That is around USD570. Renting a flat with two or three bedrooms can cost double. You’ll save if you will rent a bed space or a room.
- Food: Dining out every day is not possible for a regular hotelier, so we cook.
- Transportation: Taxis and public buses are available 24 hours. For hotel staffs, complimentary shuttles are provided by companies, which is great.
- Tax: With our salary range, we are exempted to pay tax.
In general, the cost of living in Macau may be a little bit expensive, but the salary is quite higher than other countries so you’ll be able to live comfortably. If you know how to budget, you’ll be able to travel, to save money, and to buy things you wanted.
Building Relationships
12. Is it easy to make new friends in Macau?
My first set of friends are people from my own country. When I started working I got to meet and befriended people of other nationalities. I can’t believe I have friends now who are from China, Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, Nepal, India, and Russia. Having friends from other nationalities have helped me to be acceptable to other people’s culture, tradition, and beliefs.
13. Do you hang out with locals or foreigners mostly?
I hang out with locals and foreigners alike. Though I spent most days with Filipinos, I also go out with other friends sometimes.
14. Where is your favorite place in Macau to hang out with friends?
Our favorite is to go to buffet restaurants because we all love to eat. We are also regulars on bars with happy hour. Eating while having a drink and meaningful conversation is what keeps us from being homesick.
Reflection
15. A memorable experience in Macau
It was just a recent event but I’m sure it’ s something I won’t easily forget. Macau is not used to calamities, so when typhoon Hato came, it wasn’t prepared. It was the first time that the electricity, water, and internet supply were cut. It flooded so badly that many small businesses were forced to close down. It was really bad and has affected a lot of people. The only consolation is that Macau has subsequently recuperated.
16. Did you change your perspective about Macau after living here?
I didn’t have a preconceived idea of Macau when I decided to move, so there weren’t so many perspectives to change. If there was, I think it’s my perception of other people.
I never thought I will be able to develop friendships with other nationalities, but I was wrong. I realized that we are all the same. Just different mother tongue, but basically the same.
17. What are your advice and tips for moving and living in Macau?
My tip is to not overthink it. If you feel like moving, go for it. Anywhere has its pros and cons. You just have to learn how to deal with it. There is something you are unfamiliar with? Get yourself informed and well versed.
Have something you’re scared of? Overcome it. Moving to a new place can be scary, that is true. But it is scarier if you succumbed to your fright and let go of your dreams. Make the first step and soon you’ll walk and then you’ll run.
18. Would you recommend others to live in Macau?
Certainly. I have come to love Macau as my second home. I’ve been here for ten years, and I would have never survived if Macau didn’t love me or all expatriates back. It has been good to me and I’m pretty sure it’ll be good for future expats who wish to work and live here.
19. What have you learned from living abroad?
Living abroad has helped me grow as a person. It has helped me be independent and responsible for taking good care of myself and doing what is expected of me. I’ve learned how to be appreciative of people.
Most importantly, I’ve learned how to be acceptable to other people of other nationalities. I realized that racism has no place here on earth if we want to have a better world. Respect, Thoughtfulness, and Acceptance are the most important values we all should be possessed.
20. More thoughts on working in Macau
To work in any hotels in Macau is not only for those who have a background in Hotel and Restaurant Management or Tourism. As long as you are flexible, willing to learn, responsible, and have a drive for success, you can be a hotelier.
Macau is good for expats because they do not discriminate. No matter your age, race, color, sexual orientation, or religious belief, everyone is accepted.
More about Carlo
Carlo Madrid is an opinionated man and he’s aware that he can be annoying sometimes. He loves to travel, read books, cook, and be lazy. When he’s not traveling with his wife or hiking a mountain, he can be seen sitting on their sofa either watching or reading. Writing is also a hobby of his, though mediocre at best, and is half (the other half is his wife) of the people behind the blog Young OFW.
Don’t forget to follow Carlo on Instagram & Twitter
*This article was updated on July 30th, 2018.
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Hi Ha!
Thank you so much for featuring us. It was lovely answering those questions. I love Macau and l love single and simple things about it! Cheers!
Carlo Madrid
Thank you, Carlo, for sharing your expat life in Macau.
What a lovely name, Carlo Madrid! I’ve been to Macau many years ago, and it was lovely. It’s nice to know he would recommend it to everyone as an expat. It’s also nice to know there are some UNESCO sites there; I only remember the casinos and old Portuguese churches.
Carlo did a great job when introducing Macau. I didn’t know that there were some UNESCO sites there either.
Excellent in-depth interview. I love how you covered not only the cost of living but the difficulties of moving to Macau. It seems like so many people miss that point in expat interviews.
Carlo, would you ever return home now to live, or go somewhere else or is Macau your permanent place now?
Thank you, Heidi. We’re happy that you enjoy reading.
This is an interesting interview. As an expat myself, I can relate to a lot of things being said here. It’s true that when you move to a different country at a young age, you don’t think a lot about what it’s going to be like. These apprehensions only come as you grow older. As for discrimination, it’s also something that exists everywhere just like in Macau, especially at work where locals might be favored for promotions over expats. I guess that’s the law of the land in most countries. I can imagine language barrier being an issue 10 years back but it seems he figured a good way to communicate with the people (including learning basic Cantonese which can never be a bad idea).
Thank you, Medha, for sharing your opinion.
I honestly know precious little about Macau, so this post was a wonderful eye-opener for me. I always just assumed the Macau was all casinos, based on the James Bond movie. Silly, I know, but there it is. The cost of living seems pretty reasonable, coming from the US. I think it’s awesome that the hotels provide transportation for their staff. It makes life so much easier, I can imagine. I also never really thought about Macau having UNESCO sites, so that’s new for me. Thanks for sharing, Carlo!
We’re glad that you enjoy reading :)
I have always been interested in visiting Macau, as I know very little about the place. I went to Hong Kong a few years ago and I wanted to head there but ran out of time. I do like how it is known as the Las Vegas of Asia. What a very in-depth interview. It is a shame that the government does prioritize locals, so promotions are hard to come by. I have experienced similar being an expat myself.
I’m glad that you enjoy reading the interview.
I never knew Macau was classed as the Las Vegas of Asia. Seems like a good place to go and party. So glad that Macau is a place you can get along and build friendships with others. Thanks for writing this and sharing those valuable insights :-)
Thank you for stopping by, Dan.
Carlo is so corageous! Reading this interview, I realize how much a toll living as an expat in another country. It is admirable that he worked so hard to get where he is, but also knows to balance his life and enjoy the small things. I applaud him for everything he has done! He and his wife are beautiful people!
Thank you for sharing your opinion :)
To be honest I didn’t know much about Macao either before reading this interview with Carlos. I know where it was and I did have the chance to go there when I visited Hong Kong but I thought it was all about casinos, so I didn’t. It was nice to read that life there is simple and that the nature is fantastic, so there are other things to do as well besides gambling.
Thanks, Joanna, for sharing. I’m glad that you enjoy reading the expat interview.
Such a detailed post . I did not know about Macau so much . Asking right questions for the benefit iof readers is simply awesome ?
Thanks, Rohni! We always try to provide the best tips.