Job Discussion Forums

[tlawson]

I'm a recent grad and would like to teach in either Japan or Korea, however I have many school loans to consider. I've looked for information on the cost of living in Japan, but have gotten very mixed opinions. I understand that prices vary according to region, but could anyone give me a reasonable estimate? I'm wondering if it would be more realistic for me to work and save in Korea rather than Japan. Any thoughts?

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

Generally, you have to pay for your own way to Japan (but not with the JET programme- which also pays way better than a lot of the provate language schools), but you can get korean language schools to pay for your flight over. Many people have said that it's easier to save in Korea than Japan because of the cost of living.

[Glenski]

Assuming you are going to work as a conversation school (eikaiwa) teacher, you can expect to make 250,000 yen/month.

After rent, groceries, phone, insurance, and utilities, you will have less than half of this left over. These are average figures, of course, and I have more details if you want them, confirmed from 2 separate sources (and many people here on the forums).

Go out twice a week and drink/bar hop conservatively, and you'll spend 30,000 to 50,000 yen per month.

This leaves you with about 70,000 to 90,000 yen per month to spend on everything else in your life, from a postage stamp to student loans.