I live in HK, and have for 4 years. I lived in Shenzhen for 4 years prior to that, and Hong Kong is much better. It is nearly impossible to immigrate here without employer sponsorship, however you can look at their new startup immigration scheme, which allows startup founders a special visa provided you have a business plan, and plans to hire local people. Programming jobs abound, look up some headhunting/placement companies, and they will bend over backwards to place you. I work for myself, but my wife is HKese so that's how I manage. I love HK, it's a modern vibrant city, however it's offing expensive. Income tax is very low, but rent is hilariously overpriced, so this makes everything more expensive here. That said, if you want to live more locally, you can get by relatively inexpensively for things like food. Public transport is cheap and phenomenal so there's no need for a car. That said, unless you're in fintech or have a very good reason or big desire to be here, there are probably better places to go.