Korean Job Discussion Forums

Destroyer · Joined: 11 Dec 2005

Is a housing package a major concern for most of you when looking for a new job? My company is hiring 7 new teachers and the only real caveat in the contract is that there is a housing allowance rather than an actual house. I worry that many teachers will be turned off by this, how do you all feel about it?

jinju · Joined: 22 Jan 2006

Are you hiring new teachers or ones who have been here for a while? I know when I first came over, I would not have been able to afford a place even with a housing allowence. Btw, what will it be? Afford, hel, how would a newbie with no knowledge of a country know how to even get a house? So yeah, it may be a huge turn off to new teachers. Veterans who maybe already have housing would love it, provided the allowence isnt some pitiful amount.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

I have sometimes had to skip a job offer because they insist that I live in their furnished apt. I own all my own furniture and don't want sell it, so I like the idea of the housing subsidy. But I think my situation is relatively rare.

For newbies, the housing thing can be a deal breaker. Even for people who have been here a while, finding a good place and furnishing it can be time-consuming and expensive, not to mention a big hassle if your Korean is limited.

Destroyer · Joined: 11 Dec 2005

Question answered: 350,000 housing allowance, works for me...

I feel the same way you two guys feel; when I first got here no way could I have gotten a house on my own. But now I wouldn't dream of moving out of mine. So I guess I should ask if there are all that many Oldboys like us hanging around this time of year waiting for jobs to appear? I think 7 positions is a lot to fill.

chinook · Joined: 17 Mar 2004 Location: canada

I wouldn't take it, simply because it is only my second year, i wouldn't have a clue how to arrange housing, and i left for six months between contracts, so I got rid of all the furniture and stuff I did have. I would have having to furnish the place as much as having to find a place, and doing all of that while learning how things go at a new school. too much for me.

Destroyer · Joined: 11 Dec 2005

bump-bump

Dawn · Joined: 06 Mar 2004

If I were in the market for a job, I'd go for a housing allowance over furnished housing any day. I'm in that "been here a few years, own all my own stuff" camp, though.

What kind of teachers do they want? I would think that a number of more experienced/established teachers would go for the housing allowance, while newcomers would tend to be intimidated at the prospects of finding their own place.