By definition, "Home is the place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or household." But what happens when the future is so uncertain that you doubt where home would be?

 

As 2020 approaches, the deadline of the 50-year one country two system contract of Macao inches a step closer. The severity of change that Macao and its people will face is still unpredictable, whether economically, politically or socially. As most residents ponder about their future, the choice of emigration plays a major dilemma.

 

Jenny Ip, a middle-age Chinese local, claimed that although she predicts that Macao will adopt China's laws, she will remain in Macao and does not feel threatened by the rumors and speculations regarding the Chinese government. "I grew up in Macao. I built a family in Macao. Therefore, I am staying in Macao. Regardless of the changes it will face in the future."

Many middle-age and elderly Chinese locals share the same point of view as Ip, whereas the younger generations would consider the option of emigrating elsewhere. "I would not like to live in a place that is under the total rule of the Chinese government... Maybe I will emigrate to other countries..." said Anson Ting, a local university student.

 

While the predicament is evident, it is made harder by the fact that most Chinese locals only have Macao to call home. One community in Macao, however, has the privilege to choose between two homes - The Portuguese/Macanese community. Most of the people in the community hold two passports, Portuguese and Macao SAR. This gives them the opportunity to move freely between the two places. But which one will they choose?

 

Ricardo Agostinho Gomes, a Macanese civil servant, feels that although the economy has gotten better since the handover of Macao to China back in 1999, the quality of living standards has changed a lot. "After the handover, the city became too overcrowded. The prices of buildings skyrocketed. It is not a good place to live, only to work..."