Cheaper housing and easier access to services are encouraging people to base themselves north of the border despite lengthier commutes
At 8.30am on Monday, 24-year-old Lisa Sun leaves her flat in Shenzhen and begins her long commute to work.
It starts with an e-bike ride through her neighbourhood, followed by a packed Metro journey, a border crossing intermission, and a similarly packed MTR trip. Ninety minutes later, she steps out into the bustle of Causeway Bay in Hong Kong – ready to start her day at the office.
She repeats the same journey in reverse after work, finally getting home close to 9pm.
Sun, born in the southwestern province of Sichuan, is one of a growing number of people commuting between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, trading time on the cities’ subway systems for more space and lower costs.
