Korean Job Discussion Forums

[PatrickSiheung]

I'm considering taking a position in Gangnam but I hear that the area is very expensive.

So I'm wondering what are the bills like? Grocery shopping? Nearby restaurants and video shops?

If things in that area are considerably more expensive than other places in Seoul, I certainly don't want to live there.

Thanks all.

[prosodic]

Things are more expensive in that neighborhood, but you can probably command a higher salary there. If you do some private tutoring, you'll quickly find that the residents of the neighborhood can afford a lot more than in other neighborhoods.

[PatrickSiheung]

Ah, that's a good point. Sounds good to me then

What salary do you think would be fair there? I've been in Korea for over a year and I have another 5 years teaching experience back home in Canada. I was thinking 2.4 million.

[prosodic]

[Bulsajo]

(Opinion; The exception to the following would probably be Apgujeong-dong)

Sure there are more expensive dining and entertainment options to be found in Gangnam-gu but the day to day stuff didn't seem to be way out of whack with the rest of Korea (unless you plan on doing all your shopping in the dept stores).

Taxis are the same price, buses, beer in the corner stores, ddokbokki on the street, kimchi in the supermarket etc.

The expensive thing about Gangnam is the acommodation- if you've got a contract where your housing is taken care of then you're fine.

[kangnamdragon]

I live in Kangnam. Restaurants are more expensive and the housing is more expensvie. Don't expect a higher salary though. Many school give housing which away from the schools.

[PatrickSiheung]

Well single housing is taken care of thankfully. I will be around Naebang station apparently. My worry wasn't the housing fee, but the water bill etc... I have been told that the bills will be much more expensive as well as food prices in the super markets.

But really, I only thought I would ask a higher salary because I expected the monthly bills to be much more.

Not the case though?

Since I'm already in Korea and have my F2-1, the school is saving on my flights fees to Korea or for a Visa run. Plus I have over 6 years experience between Canada and Korea with teaching children and adults. Does this give me a bargaining chip when seeking a higher salary? Hours I'm told are typically under 100 a month.

[prosodic]

[PatrickSiheung]

Sounds good to me

[kangnamsock]

[Toby]

The only two things that are more expensive in Gangnam are the cable/internet and accommodation. You say you have the latter so no problem. Cable/internet - your choice. Count the room salons as a third, if you frequent those places. Personally not.

Everything else is the same. Beer, cigarettes, food on shops - no problem there as there aren't any big supermrakets in the immeadiate vicinity anyway. You're gonna have to travel for those, all the way to Kim's Club which is a four minute bus ride and will cost 700 won for the privilege. Hardly worth worrying about.

It is a busy, young and good area. I like it because it is central for everywhere that you want to go.

You could have 10 years teaching experience between here and Canada but I think we both know that that doesn't matter, unless you are very lucky with the hakwon that employs you. I have a B.Ed and a CELTA and 3 1/2 years in Korea. Doesn't count for much and certainly wouldn't get me 2.4. Those salaries are generally unheard of unless you go into an academic director role, which are very far and few between. If you do get that salary, you'll be lucky. Visa status won't net you anymore either, or certainly from what I've heard.

Gangnam doesn't pay more, but nor will it cost you more. You will have more chance of privates through recruiters generally as they don't usually fall into your lap. After a while, if you prove yourself to be good in your school you can start networking your students. I have a friend that did that and does royaly through it. Not common though.

Good luck. Don't get your expectations up too much about Gangnam. Like most places, it is what you want it to be and what you make it.