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Is korea becoming to expensive to live here? |
YES, Im thinking its time to move on |
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15% |
[ 6 ] |
NO, not at all still a cheap place |
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46% |
[ 18 ] |
wouldnt want to make a career here as an ESL teacher on this salary and this economy. better places to go!! |
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20% |
[ 8 ] |
I cant really do much better else where.. everything I need is right here.$25.000USD a year is sweet for my life!! |
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17% |
[ 7 ] |
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Total Votes : 39 |
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Ilsanman

Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea
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Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 5:28 pm Post subject: Re: what the hell... |
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dominic wrote: |
seoul is the 5th most expensive country to live in the world. meat is rediculous here especailly beef. Bread is outragous and so is cheese, electronics are expensive too. cheap my ass |
Do you honestly believe that? Are you reading some website, or actually living here? I come from a small city on Canada's prairie. It is one of the cheapest places to live in Canada. A single apartment in Seoul is comparible to a single apartment in my hometown. 90% of other things are cheaper here, especially tax.
The 10% of things that are more expensive here, are frivolous. Also, I never plan to buy real estate here. That's why Seoul ranked so high on that poll. |
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chi-chi
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
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Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 7:03 pm Post subject: my two cents... |
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Well I cant really say which country is the best place to save money for all Westerners in general. Going by the exchange rates, Korea is really crapped out for Americans right now...the exchange rate has gone haywire to the American dollar. In Japan, however, the exchange rate is SWEET for US citizens right now. Say about a g pay raise (1000 US dollars). Housing is cheaper outside of Tokyo and its suburbs. Maybe about one half to two thirds the cost. However, I will warn that it is harder to find work for US citizens. We are the only nationality that isnt eligible for the working holiday visa. So you are at the mercy of employers, who can decide whether or not to sponsor you. I hear that with Brits its the same thing, but Brits can stay for 6 months not 3 like us. Also, if an employer does your working visa, they will want something in it for them. Like live in their apartment building, pay rent, etc etc.
I am not sure about how the exchange rates add up for other nationalities. Just do your research on it and see which country has the best exchange rate for you.
(Note to grammar police, I cant find the apostrophe on this crazy keyboard.) |
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HardyandTiny

Joined: 03 Jun 2003
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Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 9:11 pm Post subject: |
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Seoul is very inexpensive when compared to other large cities in wealthy countries. The subway and buses average 700 Won per ride which is less than .75 USD. My lunch is about 2.75USD and I can have two meals delivered to my house for 6.00USD. Unfortunately I'm tall and very few of the inexpensive clothes fit me, but the average size westerner can find incredibly cheap clothing at the markets here. When I was renting an apartment in haebangchun in 1999 it was 400USD a month and a refundable deposit of 8000USD, this included all utilities.
Purchasing an apartment is expensive, but it's worth it when you consider the average value goes up AT LEAST 10% a year. New cars are extremely inexpensive. Service support systems are incredibly inexpensive, for example; there was no installation fee when I had my computer connected to the internet. The guy just came to my house and set it up for free-same day service. And once the phone company had to send someone out to fix my connection and that was also free. I also was able to get my water heater fixed for free, again - same day service. My car battery went dead once and my friend called a tow truck. A guy arrived in ten minutes and gave me a jump...dude....8.00USD!
It is very cheap here. |
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coolsage
Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: The overcast afternoon of the soul
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Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 10:51 pm Post subject: |
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If it weren't for the free rent and the low taxes, Korea would not be a cheap place to live. Inflation absorbs most, if not all, of the paltry salary bump I receive when renewing my contract. While in Thailand, I was pricing some items, and I discovered that both rice and cannabis cost one-tenth of what they cost here. I'll grant that purchasing power there is lower than here, but not 10%. Of course, Japan is still the most expensive place on the planet. Make a visa run over there, and watch your money fly away. |
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Swiss James

Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Location: Shanghai
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Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 11:28 pm Post subject: |
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You can't include talk about exchange rates when you're being paid in won and spending won, and the price of rice? Come on, we're talking about pennies here.
My benchmark is back home and Korea's a lot cheaper than England for transport, booze, cigs, food, clothes, practically everything. It's only when I start trying to eat western food or buy western clothes that the costs stack up. |
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Mr. Pink

Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China
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Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 11:55 pm Post subject: |
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Let's compare the costs of Seoul to that of my hometown, Toronto.
The real estate costs are very similar. You can go to the "apukujong" section of Toronto and blow 1mil+ dollars on a home. The usual costs of homes are 250-450,000 dollars, which is the average of a Seoul apt.
In Toronto rent is WAY higher than Seoul. A 1 bedroom will cost you 700-1200 dollars, depending on the quality of the apt. You can rent places much cheaper in Seoul and the suburbs than in Toronto or its' suburbs.
The cost of running a car is cheaper here. Sure gas is more expensive, BUT people don't drive as much as they do in Toronto. The other costs of running a car here are cheaper. Repairs are cheaper. Insurance is WAY cheaper - like 20% the cost I would pay in Canada. Driving is cheaper.
Public transportation: I heard the TTC is like 2.25 now for a one way ticket. I take a bus in Seoul and I can take an express bus that is cheaper than a regular bus fair in Toronto. The subway is about 1/3 the cost of the TTC. Winner=Seoul.
Taxes: We all know Canada is a taxation state. They tax everything. The government is like the mafia: the mafia skims the skim, and the gov't taxes the taxes. In Seoul I find I pay WAY less taxes.
Tipping: No tipping in Korea, it adds up if you like using service industries.
Food: Canada has cheaper food at the supermarket, but Korea has cheaper food at restaurants. Which way do foreigners eat the most? My first 4yrs here I ate at restaurants at least once a day.
Furniture: There is no IKEA here for cheap crap furniture, so let's compare real furniture. The handmade stuff. It is about 50% the cost of the Canadian stuff.
Deductions on Pay: Here we can get pension back. The income tax deducted is a joke compared to Canada. We have no UI to worry about in terms of deductions. Some people have to pay deposits, but any money you get back is still money in your pocket.
Cell Phones: Amazed no one mentioned these. Korea is WAY WAY WAY cheaper than Canada. The service is kickass too. You can call people even on remote islands. Try calling people from remote areas of Canada...it's called a Sat Phone!
The list goes on. If you REALLY think about it, the reason Seoul (Korea) is the place of choice for so many is it is just so much cheaper than back home.
I don't send any money to Canada so talking exchange rates is a moot point. What I can save here and what I could save back in Canada are the things I look at. Also the lifestyle I have here isn't bad. Back in Canada it would be pretty horrible I think.
So is it time to move on? Not for me. When China starts offering 2000 US a month with freebies and low taxes, then it might be time for a change...but I don't see that happening for a while. |
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coolsage
Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: The overcast afternoon of the soul
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Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 8:53 am Post subject: |
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Here comes another oxymoron, if one is merely comparing prices; perhaps a joke only hosers might get. A Saskatchewan joke. I met some people from Swift Current. They were neither swift nor current. Baddaboom. I'lll be here all week. |
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caniff
Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Location: All over the map
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Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 12:16 pm Post subject: |
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I'm only hearing Canadian city references. Any major US cities/ Korean city comparisions? |
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Yaya

Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Location: Seoul
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Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 12:43 pm Post subject: |
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caniff wrote: |
I'm only hearing Canadian city references. Any major US cities/ Korean city comparisions? |
Depends on how you live your life. If you like going out, NY, LA and other major cities will charge you an arm and a leg. Drinking at Korean hofs is relatively cheaper than buying a few beers at some bar and then having to tip the bartender.
You can find rooms in a house for rent for like $400 and up in LA, but the cost of maintaining a car is CRAZY - insurance, gas prices, maintenance or repairs.
Overall, I'd say living in Korea is cheaper than many places in the West. You almost can't live on $25,000 in many major US cities, let alone save money. |
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OiGirl

Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun
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Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 1:51 pm Post subject: |
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I have cheaper wants and needs in Korea, so it all works out. |
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Toby

Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Location: Wedded Bliss
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Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 4:56 pm Post subject: |
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Waaaaaaaay cheaper than England.
The one place that I really notice the difference is with public transport costs and, of course, the cost of taxis.
The minimum fare, I think, in England is one pound, currently equal to 2,250 won. That is the same cost as three trips. If I were to travel from Incheon to Jamsil on the subway, that would cost in the region of 10,000 won for the same trip in England. Here it costs, I think, 1,200 won.
Taxis. Wonderful. Shincheon to Seolleung cost me 11,000 won recently, moderate traffic. The same distance in England cost me 45,000 when I went to London in the summer.
Food - cheaper.
Restaurants - cheaper.
Beer - cheaper(but not as good(Mmmm Kronenburg 1664))
Travel - cheaper.
LPG - cheaper.
Cigarettes - 2,000 won. England - 11,000 won.
Phone bill - cheaper.
House bills - cheaper, but not much.
Shopping for ANYTHING - cheaper. |
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kylehawkins2000

Joined: 08 Apr 2003
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Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 5:36 pm Post subject: |
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I've read at least three articles that have listed Seoul as one of the top ten most expensive cities in the world to live in. To be honest, I didn't believe it at first.....but I must admit it's not cheap. To compare, when I was living in Ulsan I was able to save almost twice as much per month as I am now. Has anyone taken a look at housing costs in Seoul? They are exorbiant. I see places near my work that are little apartments of less than 150 meters square going for over a million dollars(Canadian). It's crazy!
Food in the grocery stores seems to be a little more expensive than at home (with some exceptions of course), and restaurant meals tend to be only a little cheaper. I'm not even sure of this.....as back home there were a number of places I could find a decent meal for 5 bucks canadian.
Taxi's are cheaper but does anyone drive? Have you seen the price of Gasoline? Two or three times as much as at home......
It's really hard to judge how expensive a place is.....because we are stuck with comparing just the things we individually spend money on....and not thinking of the overall cost of living compared with other cities. How many cities have people lived in anyway? For me it's expensive....and I have no reason not to believe the articles I've read that claim Seoul to be one of the most expensive cities in the world.
Korea as a country may still be quite cheap however.... |
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Gwangjuboy
Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Location: England
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Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 7:01 pm Post subject: |
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kylehawkins2000 wrote: |
I've read at least three articles that have listed Seoul as one of the top ten most expensive cities in the world to live in. To be honest, I didn't believe it at first.....but I must admit it's not cheap. To compare, when I was living in Ulsan I was able to save almost twice as much per month as I am now. Has anyone taken a look at housing costs in Seoul? They are exorbiant. I see places near my work that are little apartments of less than 150 meters square going for over a million dollars(Canadian). It's crazy!
Food in the grocery stores seems to be a little more expensive than at home (with some exceptions of course), and restaurant meals tend to be only a little cheaper. I'm not even sure of this.....as back home there were a number of places I could find a decent meal for 5 bucks canadian.
Taxi's are cheaper but does anyone drive? Have you seen the price of Gasoline? Two or three times as much as at home......
It's really hard to judge how expensive a place is.....because we are stuck with comparing just the things we individually spend money on....and not thinking of the overall cost of living compared with other cities. How many cities have people lived in anyway? For me it's expensive....and I have no reason not to believe the articles I've read that claim Seoul to be one of the most expensive cities in the world.
Korea as a country may still be quite cheap however.... |
Please read my earlier post about how thw cost of living survey is arrived at. Page 1 I think. |
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just because

Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964
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Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 7:18 pm Post subject: |
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I think it is pretty cheap here. It depends on what you do. if you go to outback steakhouse everyday and have a pitcher than of course it is going to cost you.
However, if you live a normal existance and eat right and have a bit of a splyrge now and then you can save plenty more due to a lower cost of living(especially in a couple) and also the tax payoff is good here as well. |
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itaewonguy

Joined: 25 Mar 2003
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Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 5:16 am Post subject: |
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I cant believe 7 people posted 25.000 is good enough for me I cant do much better than that anyway!???? I mean please!!!
university graduates and you cant earn more than 25G's a year..
something is wrong.... you people are not poster children for encouraging kids to attend college..
hey look at us.. we graduated and we now earn 25g's a year living away from all our friends and family, in korea.!!!!
seriously??? |
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