Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Fermentator75]

Is it that big of a difference when considering your first contract? If 2mill is the better location would you grab it before 2.2 in a second choice spot?

[cruisemonkey]

I'd say it depends on what you value more.

[Goku]

you could see it as a 10% difference...

although frankly I would take the better location because that matters heaps about how happy you are.

Some of those out in the boonies really go insane and are starved for human contact and things to do. They don't last the full contract sometimes.

I've heard a lot of sad stories of the weigook in the sticks who gets 1 trip a month to have fun.

Then again, if the locations you are talking about are like, busan or daegu, I'd choose the money

[Fermentator75]

Out of curiosity Goku, why would these locations (Dageu, Busan) warrant you to take the money somewhere else? Does anyone else agree that these are places worth avoiding?

[sluggle]

They aren't really places to 'avoid', but they are more rural and you may have less contact with other people, especially other english speaking people. It depends on your personality.

I see no reason why you can't get paid 2.2. You should negotiate the 2 million offer by saying you'll definitely accept if its 2.2. There's definitely a lot more people applying, but I think you can still get 2.2 if you apply aggressively.

[Goku]

Sorry my writings terrible

I meant,

if you were making a choice between two cities like busan or daegu (large popular ones)

the differences between them would matter little to me, so I would choose the money over those two locations.

They are not truly the same, but similar enough that I wouldn't care.

[RufusW]

The difference between 2.0 and 2.2 is actually larger than 10% - because I presume you're aiming to save money.

If you have fixed budget regardless of income then extra 200k could increase your savings by a lot. For example, fixed budget of 1.2mil a month so saving either 0.8, or 1mil. The 200k makes a 25% difference in savings. This % increases the lower your budget. You'll be forced into spending less in the countryside.

For your first contract, I'd choose a large-ish city. I'm in Busan and it's a very nice size. You're probably more likely to get after-school programs etc... Unless you wanna dive in and get into the countryside.

[AgentM]

Personally, I agree with Goku, I would take a better location over the higher salary, but it's all about your priorities. But Goku's right, there probably wouldn't be a lot of difference between Busan or Daegu.

[Fermentator75]

Good advice everyone, thanks. Ffff-uuuugggghh. I kinda buckled talking to the recruiter. His direct and rush me tactics threw me off guard when talking about pay and he said he would put me down for agreeing to 2mill if this contract gets written up. Saving is important, but getting a year under my belt in a good spot for sanity's sake might be worth the pay cut. If all goes well (I just wanna get started already) I can keep my ears open for a higher paying gig next year. I imagine the first year is experimental with spending and adjustment situations to a new environment. I reckon survival is primary and pending the desire to have another go at it a year later, one might know where to look, what to ask for and how to put funds away. In the meantime, I can explore other options that hopefully pop up over the weekend.

[RufusW]

I'm in Busan.. getting paid less than anyone else on this board - guaranteed. If I wanted, I could go out and do a lot of things... as it is I'm saving cash so being conservative in my spending. Oppourtunites will present themselves (maybe your school will organise paid extra-classes, maybe someone you know will give you privates (discretion advised). But you'll certainly get a feel for it.

And remember, you only need to do 6 months before you're free to leave, so maybe you want to find a high paying job and make the mission to Japan.

[RufusW]

[reactionary]

Why would Korea be any different from anywhere else? Would you rather make $2200 in NYC or $2000 in NJ?