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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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shostahoosier
Joined: 14 Apr 2009
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 Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2011 11:14 pm Post subject: |
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| judoka wrote: |
| Weigookin74 wrote: |
I visited Tokyo a year ago. I found many prices not as bad as people think. Keep in mind costs are going up here. Getting near 4000 to 6000 won to eat out now. I was able to eat at noodle and rice shops on any corner for 400 to 600 yen. Convenience stores didn't seem too bad for water, etc. Japan did seem to have more Western brands in their stores. How much for Campbells soup at homeplus versus what it would cost in Japan? I think rent, travel, taxes, and some of these things would be more than Korea. I'm guessing, but is it much more?
The exchange rate is good. I sometimes see advertisements on here for Japan but not many. Occassionally country hogwans too. (Ekiwas?) What is the living cost in a smaller city like? Can you find a similiar amount of Western things there too?
The standard wage I see is 250,000 yen and you pay 50,000 yen towards your accomodation. What do you pay in taxes, what do you spend typically, and what do you actually send home (with current exchange rates)? That's the question I'm curius about.
Also, what are these accomodations like? Sometimes here they can be good, but often they can be sleazy and dirty too. Same mix in Japan? |
Accomodations on JET can range from a rent-free 4 room 2 story house with a yard in the countryside to a 500 dollar per month tiny apartment in the city.
Will the situation in Korea keep getting worse as with the current cutbacks or is the worst over because that is one thing that will keep me from going to Korea. I'd hate to quit my job here and then not be able to find a decent job in Korea. Would I have an easier time finding a job in Gwangju than Seoul? |
For public schools - you would have an easier time finding a job teaching English on Neptune than in Seoul. 
No seriously though, it's just like Japan. Everyone knows Tokyo so everyone wants to live there, obviously there will be less competition outside of the major cities, but there were will be fewer jobs too.
It's the same thing with Seoul.
If you're willing to work at a hagwon/eikawa, you wont have a problem finding something in Seoul as they're a dime a dozen and on every corner. Finding a good hagwon job will take digging though.
You can look at Gyeonggi province. You're basically in Seoul with some of the satellite cities. Gyeonggi just cut a whole lot of teachers though so I'm not sure how much security you would have if you were able to find a job there. |
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Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
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| Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 5:11 pm Post subject: |
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| judoka wrote: |
| Weigookin74 wrote: |
I visited Tokyo a year ago. I found many prices not as bad as people think. Keep in mind costs are going up here. Getting near 4000 to 6000 won to eat out now. I was able to eat at noodle and rice shops on any corner for 400 to 600 yen. Convenience stores didn't seem too bad for water, etc. Japan did seem to have more Western brands in their stores. How much for Campbells soup at homeplus versus what it would cost in Japan? I think rent, travel, taxes, and some of these things would be more than Korea. I'm guessing, but is it much more?
The exchange rate is good. I sometimes see advertisements on here for Japan but not many. Occassionally country hogwans too. (Ekiwas?) What is the living cost in a smaller city like? Can you find a similiar amount of Western things there too?
The standard wage I see is 250,000 yen and you pay 50,000 yen towards your accomodation. What do you pay in taxes, what do you spend typically, and what do you actually send home (with current exchange rates)? That's the question I'm curius about.
Also, what are these accomodations like? Sometimes here they can be good, but often they can be sleazy and dirty too. Same mix in Japan? |
Accomodations on JET can range from a rent-free 4 room 2 story house with a yard in the countryside to a 500 dollar per month tiny apartment in the city.
Will the situation in Korea keep getting worse as with the current cutbacks or is the worst over because that is one thing that will keep me from going to Korea. I'd hate to quit my job here and then not be able to find a decent job in Korea. Would I have an easier time finding a job in Gwangju than Seoul? |
Stick it out there until the Recession is over. |
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judoka
Joined: 30 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 9:46 pm Post subject: |
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| Good advice, to stay in Japan until after the recession. However, might now be a good time to go study Korean in Korea? Like if the recession causes certain costs to possibly go down in any way, for a student. I have a substantial amout of money saved and would also consider going as a student for a year or so. Does anyone have numbers on how much daily life will cost outside of Seoul? Rent, food, just the basics for someone that is not going to go out much or drink. |
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World Traveler
Joined: 29 May 2009
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| Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2011 6:59 pm Post subject: |
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| judoka wrote: |
| However, might now be a good time to go study Korean in Korea? Like if the recession causes certain costs to possibly go down in any way, for a student. |
Across the board, prices are going up, especially for food. There might be areas of exception, and if someone wants to point them out, it would be interesting to hear.
S.Korea inflation races but economy cools
http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/09/01/idINIndia-59087320110901?type=economicNews
...but don't let that stop you from following your dreams... |
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judoka
Joined: 30 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 7:41 pm Post subject: |
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| Cool. Aside from problems with jobs because of the bad economy, I am sure Korea is a wonderful place to live and work. I am sure only a small number hate it and come on here to complain, making it seem like a higher number hate it there. |
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dharma bum
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
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| Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 9:09 pm Post subject: |
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If you have a strong affinity for Korean culture and want to try living here for a year, I say more power to you. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, after all.
However, I want to just say that some of the complaints on here are legitimate and some of the negative opinions widely-held, so don't dismiss all of what you read here (just most of it) as the ramblings of disgruntled outliers. A lot of people love Korea but a lot of people are also dissatisfied with it, and that has to do with the nature of life in Korea as well as the personality types involved. Just make sure you consider both sides.
Good luck to you whatever you decide to do. |
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judoka
Joined: 30 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 5:07 am Post subject: |
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| Thanks. I sure would like to hear from anyone who made the transition from Japan to Korea so if there is anyone out there who did this, I'd like to know more about it. |
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Dave Chance
Joined: 30 May 2011
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| Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 7:48 am Post subject: |
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| judoka wrote: |
| Cool. Aside from problems with jobs because of the bad economy, I am sure Korea is a wonderful place to live and work. I am sure only a small number hate it and come on here to complain, making it seem like a higher number hate it there. |
It may well be that only a small number hate it.
However, I'd say the majority find making the multiple adjustments something of a challenge, to say the least.
Also, it depends upon what type of experience you've had as a JET. If you've become accustomed to people going out of their way to make you feel at home 'cos you're the novel foreigner, you may find things to be a bit more trying in Korea.
If you've grown accustomed to the Japanese pleasantries, penchant for public cleanliness, and emphasis on making things as smooth as possible, you may find some difficulties awaiting.
If you haven't really learnt how to teach on your own without a nice JET co-teacher, landing a uni job even with an MA may prove difficult.
However, if you've been suppressing a rough streak in you craving adventure and are the kind of guy that enjoys being in the maelstrom of a mosh pit, drag your candy-ass entitled JET-stamped kaboos over here!  |
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World Traveler
Joined: 29 May 2009
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gem
Joined: 06 Dec 2010
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| Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 2:39 am Post subject: |
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Trading the security of JET, the most prestigious ESL program in Asia for a random set of circumstances in Korea seems incredibly naive and irrational.
I hope you realize what the right decision is. Good luck because you're gonna need it regardless! |
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tideout
Joined: 12 Dec 2010
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| Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 7:01 pm Post subject: |
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[quote="dharma
Last edited by tideout on Thu Nov 03, 2011 1:26 am; edited 1 time in total |
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judoka
Joined: 30 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 11:01 pm Post subject: |
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| northway wrote: |
| ttompatz wrote: |
| jurassic82 wrote: |
It is funny that I am reading all these negative comments about living in Korea from people that live in Korea and from what I can guess have been here for awhile. There obviously must be some reason they are still here and I don't think it is the beautiful beaches and sexy ajumas.
You can easily save $1,000 a month. On top of that you get your pension money back which should be around another $2,000 on top of your severence which equals one month pay. On top of the free rent and low taxes it is still a pretty nice deal. I hear people talking about inflation. Maybe I have been here for too long but it hasn't really effected me all that much in the amount of money I can save compared to 5 years ago when I first came.
If you want to save money I think Korea is the better choice. I have to say though that I am jealous. In my opinion Japan is much more beautiful and Japanese are far more open and kind than Koreans. I think Korean culture has some charming aspects about it but after my first year here it got pretty boring and there really wasn't much more to see. The people can often be hard to get along with and are much more shy and unlikey to talk to you as Japanese. Anyways, that is just my experience and opinions. Others out there may disagree with me and thats fine. Hope this helps.  |
For an UNLICENSED teacher, JET is the best gig in Asia.
Next in line would be working in Korea (in terms of net savings).
China is quickly moving into the #3 spot
Follow that with Japan (outside of the JET program) and Taiwan.
Down near the bottom of the list (in terms of money) are Thailand and Indonesia.
IF you are a licensed teacher or have more than a generic BA then the order is different.
Why do people stay in Korea? Short, simple answer is the money OR they are tied here by family (married into the culture).
With the current funding cuts in PS programs moving to Korea from a JET position is a move down the ladder.
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It's worth noting that Vietnam would probably slot in ahead of China. |
There's more money to be made in Hong Kong than mainland China. |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 11:05 pm Post subject: |
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| judoka wrote: |
| There's more money to be made in Hong Kong than mainland China. |
Not for unlicensed teachers. |
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mysterious700
Joined: 10 Mar 2006
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| Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2011 6:26 am Post subject: |
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| Japan sounds cool. Korea seems to pay more money, but the recession has made Korea difficult to get into. How bad is Japan? Even worse or has Fukushima cleared teachers out of Japan? |
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judoka
Joined: 30 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 3:58 pm Post subject: |
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| mysterious700 wrote: |
| Japan sounds cool. Korea seems to pay more money, but the recession has made Korea difficult to get into. How bad is Japan? Even worse or has Fukushima cleared teachers out of Japan? |
Japan is as normal as usual, even in parts of Fukushima. I had completely forgotten about the nuclear problems until you mentioned it. There are jobs available to foreigners just like before. Since there are many on here that talk about Japan being better than Korea in many ways, why don't you guys make the transition to Japan? It's not that hard. |
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