Job Discussion Forums

[daniel_hayes]

I would like to know where in the world is the current no.1 place in which a person could live frugally (but half decently) and manage to save a fair chunk of money in a 12-24month period.

This person does not drink, does not smoke, enjoys local cuisine and does not really enjoy spending money at all

He would not want to live in a flop-house, but would not need the Ritz either.

He has heard that S.Korea is a good place to live quietly, work hard and save a considerable chunk of money if one were to put one's head down, live within his means and save up like it was going out of fashion.

But has the world moved on in the last couple of years? Is there a new place (maybe Taiwan, Japan or Malaysia) that allows for large opportunities for saving dough?

[daniel_hayes]

Just having a brief look through this board and found a similar topic a few posts down this page in whic people mention the ME as the 'new' place to save money. Would one be able to hoard more money there because of the 'enforced' lifestyle? is actualy pay better than in Korea?

[naturegirl321]

I think that Taiwan, Korea and the ME are the biggest places. BUt you usually need experience plus an MA for the ME.
THat all being said and done, your lifestyle has a lot to do with it. I save about 1500USD in Peru where the average EFL teacher salary is 500USD

[Glenski]

You can live frugally pretty much anywhere. It's your lifestyle.

As for saving "a fair chunk of money", please give us a round figure to go on.

[Justin Trullinger]

[naturegirl321]

[denise]

You can save money and live well in Oman. On the salary here, you can pretty much do whatever you want to do, go out whenever you want to, shop if you like shopping, etc., and still save. You would also get free furnished accommodation (or a housing allowance, but it seems like it's more of a hassle that way). My place isn't the Ritz, but it's clean and new. And it's mine! No roommates! If you're into partying, drinking, dating the locals, etc., then the lifestyle will be a bit restrictive, but from your post I would guess that you're not a party animal. You can still do those things here (minus dating the locals), of course, but not excessively.

And you don't necessarily need an MA, although it will get you a higher salary.

d

[daniel_hayes]

Great replies thus far....thankee' kindly.

I must be THE most boring 28 year old guy I know of. I don't drink AT ALL, I don't smoke AT ALL. That does not mean that I am some bible-bashing upstart from Utah come to save the natives from a fiery hell either

What I guess I am in someone who did his fair share of boozing, spending dough, dating locals and all that crap when I lived in Thailand. By the time I look to do this as a full-time career, I WILL have an MA (in English).

I am just one those poor fools who enjoys saving and see that as the ONLY reason for working. The ME seems to be very attractive for me, as does Korea. In terms of 'racism', how do westerners get treated in Oman for example? I have heard that in Korea it ain't so good. But I can easily take a few sneers and derisary stares.

As for what figures I have in mind, I would say that I'd like to live in a nice enough, clean, ONE BEDROOM flat, perhaps go to the gym and swim a few times a week and be able to save in the region of $14-25,000 a year (wide disparagy I know).

Being single and having no rug-rats, I only need to support myself and so ALL of the money I save goes staright into my a/c.

Just out of interest guys....what about the complete opposite question. Where in the world would be the best place to teach aimply in terms of QUALITY OF LIFE? Forget money for a minute. Provided one makes enough to live relatively confortable off, what country offers great beaches, food, people etc etc? Bear in mind I'm british so SAmerica is hard for me (so I've heard).

[denise]

While Omanis have a reputation for being friendly and hospitable, they don't exactly open their arms to foreigners. You would very, very rarely be sneered at or even stared at, but you would also most likely just end up socializing with the other foreigners. This isn't the sort of place you would come to if you want to immerse yourself in the local culture. You can have a good life, but just not an integrated life.

You could easily save $14,000 here. $25,000 would be hard, as the salaries, at least at my college, are about $30,000.

Money aside, I think the place that I have enjoyed the most is Prague. (Alas, no beaches, though!) But that was back in my mid-20s, when I was more likely to spend my evenings in pubs or even the occasional club. Even without getting into the partying lifestyle, though, there was so much culture--art, architecture, music, theater, etc.-- and amazing scenery. The Czech Republic is a beautiful country.

Why do you think South America is hard for Brits?

d

[daniel_hayes]

re. SA for Brits....just something I read about visas and the kinf of English that different regions want to learn. I heard that Europe is tougher for Americans and SA is tough for Europeans. Is that not the case?

[denise]

[tedkarma]

The ME is hardly a "new" place to save or stash money - it is and has been for quite some time. Primarily because of low or no taxes, free housing and (usually, not always) free plane tickets.

But, as mentioned above an M.A. or M.Ed. are usualy required along with several years experience. And, frankly, you need it. Arab students are not the most docile group of students you will ever meet. Adult students who don't drink or engage in s*ex, and drink a LOT of coffee and tea - as you might guess, are not the most mellow of people . . .

For the newbie, Korea is probably your best bet for good savings - as it too usually provides free housing and plane tickets. Wages aren't as high as in the Middle East, but (for me) the quality of life is FAR better.

Most people can save about US$1000 and up without great effort - and without working yourself to death.

Japan and Taiwan are good second and third places for the newbie - lower savings typically as you often don't get free housing or plane tickets and the income taxes are higher. I saved about 1/2 to 2/3rds as much in Taiwan as I did in Korea. BUT - I found Taiwan a fascinating place to live.

[daniel_hayes]

Thanks guys again. I think Ted's advice seems very reasonable. Newbies may very well be better off in Korea first and then maybe head off to the ME after a year or so?