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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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 Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 12:20 am Post subject: Re: Why South Korea instead of Japan or China? |
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| isitts wrote: |
| Taiwan (just to throw that in mix) has a fairly high standard of living, and very low cost of living. You get paid less but that's offset by the low cost of living. |
I wouldn't say Taiwan has a very low cost of living. It is lower than Korea's, but nowhere near countries I would describe as very low such as Indonesia, Thailand, or Vietnam. You get paid less and you have to pay rent; it's partially offset, but not significantly. From everything I've heard, it's not uncommon for people in Taiwan to be working two or three different jobs just to make ends meet, as the jobs pay hourly and guarantee a low number of hours.
There's also the fact that you're taxed about 20% for the first six months of your first full fiscal year. You get this money back at the end, but if you start working in September you don't get anything prior to January back (this is my understanding, anyway). You're losing a lot of money if you don't start a job on January 1st.
I'd much prefer to live in Taipei over anywhere in Korea, but that doesn't change the fact that you're making significantly less money. |
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isitts
Joined: 25 Dec 2008
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 5:48 pm Post subject: Re: Why South Korea instead of Japan or China? |
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| northway wrote: |
| isitts wrote: |
| Taiwan (just to throw that in mix) has a fairly high standard of living, and very low cost of living. You get paid less but that's offset by the low cost of living. |
I wouldn't say Taiwan has a very low cost of living. It is lower than Korea's, but nowhere near countries I would describe as very low such as Indonesia, Thailand, or Vietnam. You get paid less and you have to pay rent; it's partially offset, but not significantly. From everything I've heard, it's not uncommon for people in Taiwan to be working two or three different jobs just to make ends meet, as the jobs pay hourly and guarantee a low number of hours.
There's also the fact that you're taxed about 20% for the first six months of your first full fiscal year. You get this money back at the end, but if you start working in September you don't get anything prior to January back (this is my understanding, anyway). You're losing a lot of money if you don't start a job on January 1st.
I'd much prefer to live in Taipei over anywhere in Korea, but that doesn't change the fact that you're making significantly less money. |
Yes, the timing is important for taxes. As for low cost of living, the thread is comparing Japan, Souh Korea, and China. Yes, I know Taiwan isn't China, so maybe I could have left that out. |
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OThePestO
Joined: 18 Sep 2010
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| Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 6:38 pm Post subject: |
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| If you are looking to save money, stay far far away from Japan! China is good if you are going to stay in China. If you want to have savings once you leave the host country, than Korea is best. IMO |
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Hotpants
Joined: 27 Jan 2006
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| Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2010 4:44 am Post subject: |
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I've worked in all 3 countries, and you can save far more money in Korea as compared to the other 2 places. That is why Korea still holds me and a lot of others here.
Other plusses of Korea vs. China/Japan: Easy-to-learn character set; you don't have to worry about corrupt bank clerks siphoning off money from your bank account; you don't have to worry about walking the streets alone at night.
However, if I ever have to go through the Korean visa hoops again, I think that might be the end of the Morning Calm, regardless of money. |
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Vagabundo
Joined: 26 Aug 2010
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| Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2010 7:43 am Post subject: |
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you forgot the fact that Taiwan dollar exchange rate is significantly better
1/1/2007 - 28.54 won per 1 TWD
1/1/2008 - 29.10 won per 1 TWD
1/1/2009 - 38.64 won per 1 TWD
1/1/2010 - 36.42 won per 1 TWD
11/25/2010 - 37.83 won per 1 TWD
and the crap won is down 50% vs JPY. |
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