1. You pick up a new appreciation for reading on your long commute.

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Or playing Candy Crush, or scrolling mindlessly through your Facebook feed, or staring out the window, or staring into the black mirror of your sleeping mobile contemplating the transient nature of a life lived on the East Rail Line.

2. You become an outspoken advocate of your ‘hood among all your pals.

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“There’s hiking, great bars and cheap restaurants, a cute little commercial street with plenty of street food, and I don’t have to take an hour-long minibus from Mong Kok if we stay out past midnight (…. but you will!).”

3. All that expendable cash from your massively lowered rent has you feeling like a G.

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Until you realize that just getting to Central costs $30 each way.

4. All your New Territories friends come out of the woodwork, and they all have sweet pads.

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One of us! One of us!

5. You notice you’ve been sleeping better.

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The nights are darker, the air is fresher, and you can even hear crickets chirping. It’s like sleeping in the country!

6. You know who your real friends are by who is willing to visit you.

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You came all the way here to have dinner? Will you marry me?

7. You’ll basically go anywhere but into the city on a weekend.

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Sai Kung? Sure. The Wetland Park? Love to. Tuen Mun? Sounds great. Wan Chai for any reason? Save it for a weekday happy hour.

8. You LOL when you hear about someone staycationing anywhere north of Sha Tin.

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How about you staycation on my couch and give me the $600 instead? 

9. You know there’s no better feeling in the world than when you get out of the chaos of the Tsuen Wan Line and into the plush seats of first class on the East Rail Line, during rush hour.

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Take me away from here.