Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Pyongshin Sangja]

[Grim Ja]

The only reason I bring this up is because people always on this board state that cost of living is cheaper then the west.

Then don't say it is same as New York or London then say that it is cheaper.

And I imagine that many people on this board are not from the two most expensive cities in the west but perhaps from smaller and a little less expensive cities. And that it is beleived that Korea is cheaper then those smaller cities.

I have started an informal poll of both Koreans and westerns and have asked them what is cheaper.

Many have been listed on this post.

Ice cream, not baskin robbins only the supermarket varities, and only the individual servings. It is cheaper to buy a half gallon back home.

Haircuts, one could pay W4000 one cared to save a won or two.

Food stand food, the varities and price can't even be compared to the west.

Some clothes, yet these would be bought on the street or in a traditional market.


Used Cars

What is more expensive?

Electronics
Gas
Houses
Land
Meat
Rice
Milk
Eggs
Cereal
Bread
Department store products

Water, for me at least since I never payed for water before I came to Korea.

And dare I say the Marriott Hotel, But of course the greater New York Metro Area is more expensive.

I remember eating sunday brunch with my family for $15 a head back home.

Here I pay W27,000 per person. But it is worth it and alot tastier then Kimbab World.

Yet, I smuggle in my own milk.

[Homer]

I don't know there Grim,

The costs will also depends on what a person considers essential to his happiness.

I find food to be cheaper here when it comes to eating out. By this I do not mean the high priced western restaurants. I mean the every day korean joints. Most of the ones I frequent serve excellent food for a much cheaper price then back home for similar quality.

As for cars, I would not dream of buying one here as public transits is great and taxis are cheap (much cheaper then back home..oh by the way I am from Toronto and then Ottawa which are both expensive cities to live in).

Taxes Grim...I pay much less of them here. Back home, on my current income, I would be paying around 40% income tax. Nothing to compare with that pillage figure here.

I find that some things are more expensive then home and some are not.
Certain meats are more expensive (beef) for example.

Beer is the same (local here vs local home) or cheaper.
Activities are usually cheaper or the same.

Clothes, they usually costs the same and many times less. My wife and I do not shop at the discount market either. You just have to know where and when to go Grim....wait that is like in the stores back home...

Who cares about ice cream really? Of course I only eat it occasionally.

As for your list...here goes:

Electronics

Many of these are cheaper but some are much more expensive.

Gas

Same or cheaper then home (in my experience).

Houses

Basically more expensive but look at land space available vs back home and it is not hard ro figure out why,
Then again, many jobs offer free housing and if you are not looking to buy then who cares about property value.
Rent can be higher if you go for the big appartment in Downtown Seoul....but, with some effort and some key money you can get very affordable accomodations.

Land

Cannot be compared because of the land size and population density in Korea compared to say Canada or the US.

Meat

Some is more expensive (beef). Some is the same or cheaper.
You forgot to mention poutlry and fish which in my experience are cheaper here.
Fish is also much better then it was back home (unless you lived in a coastal city of course).

Rice

Cheaper and better.

Milk

Was never much of milk fan so I don't buy any.

Eggs

Same deal I find.

Cereal

See milk.

Bread

Bread is a bit more expensive here.

Department store products


This is rather vague...

As for your repition of "Kimbap world"....of course if you do not like Korean food all that much then your food costs will go up.
As for that 27 000 won brunch it is a choice that pay for that much.
We do as well on occasion and back in TO or Ottawa a brunch of similar quality and taste would run us about 28 bucks per person.....
For 15 bucks you would be talking a brunch at the local "all ya can eat" yee ha house.

[shawner88]

I'd like to buy a car just to get out of the city on breaks and drive around the countryside.

[Hollywoodaction]

Shawner, I bought my first car in Korea within the first 3 months of coming (I'm now driving number 3 and 4) and I must tell you it's well worth it. I currently own a car that I bought new and one that was bought used, and the used car is great for the price I paid when compared to the new one. Buying a used car in Korea is pretty safe and easy. You just have to watch for the tell-tale signs of major bodywork (accidents) when shopping for a used car, and remember you can always ask for a better price. If you're buying from an individual, make sure you verify the cars has no unpaid tickets or taxes because you'll get stuck with the bill once it's registered in your name.

Another good thing about Korean used cars is that they usually have pretty low mileage (on the low side of what would be within normal in North America), but don't expect the car to have had been maintained unless something broke down. Also, they don't salt roads when they get snow in Korea, so the cars are virtually rust free.

[edgellskiuk]

In my opinion (based on my european and korean experience):

The cost of food in korea is a difficult thing to judge. If you want to have a diet containing a variety of different flavours and styles Korea is more expensive. I have been here for almost 3 years and must admit I am fairly jaded toward Korean food at the moment due to its lack of variety.

Petrol and car expenses - seems similar for petrol as the uk but cars need to be serviced a lot more often in korea. My company car has to be serviced every 6000-12000km, my company car in the UK only needed servicing every 30,000km. I am not sure how the costs per service compare, so not sure how financial costs compare but korea costs more time.

Clothing I find costs more, in my case, in korea. I have had suits made in korea, but find it cheaper and qaulity marginally better to get it made elsewhere.

Anything classed as luxury seem to be a lot more expensive in korea than Europe.

And my personal pet peeve is the cost of good qaulity wine and whiskey in Korea, and the distinct lack of single malt whiskey.

[Butterfly]

I agree with you inasmuch as I see people saying 2 million a month plus a box-room is a good living; like you, it isn't to me. I don't see how people manage on that alone. If you take your salary of say, the above amount, and live fine on it ~ eat in restaurants every night, go to nice venues and events on the weekend, buy nice clothes, run a car etc. that leaves absolutely nothing to save, so then you need to make more, and you do privates and save the money from that. Good life, saving money (a million a month is realistic I think). All good.

We just got to get with the idea that the working day isn't over at the end of the 4 or 5 hour shift. Jeez, it hardly hurts to do a couple more hours for yourself. Nonetheless, working in Korea isn't what it used to be.

[Wishmaster]

Wrong, BUTTerfly. You can live well and save on such a salary. Of course, who would be stupid enough to spend lavishly on food or cars anyway(unless you are rich...but if you are working in Korea you more than likely ain't). No, I save $1,000 a month and I live well(take trips, eat out at different restaurants, shopping). Also, I live in a really nice apartment which is most definitely not a box. It is just a matter of lifestyle. I have an excellent spending/savings ratio. I also work a fixed schedule with 5 hours a day tops. I definitely don't want to burn out teaching English and if I was doing it for 8 hours a day it would destroy me in the long term. No thanks, I'll be fresh and able while these overworked fools burn out after few months........

[edgellskiuk]

I believe it all comes down to what an individual classes as living well. I must admit I spend lavishly on food and clothing but I work hard for my money so why shouldn't I?

I am in Korea due to company placement and do not see why my standard of living should drop.

I do not think anyone has the right to call someone stupid over how they spend their money or call them a fool for the hours they choose to work. I must admit I am amused when people think 8 hours a day work is overworked.