Korean Job Discussion Forums

CanKorea · Joined: 23 Jun 2003 Location: Pyeongchon

I'm trying to figure out what would be a better school to go to. One offers 1.7 m and the other between 2.2 and 2.4 m.

What are living expenses like? How much would I spend a month on food and such? Ball park figures of course.

Thanks and have a good one. Cheers

peppermint · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2003 9:04 pm Post subject:

It's hard to say, Where will you be living? Big cities( Seoul) are generally more expensive, if only because there's more temptation to spend.

Do you like Korean food? Korean food is really cheap, but foreign food generally isn't. ( I mean quality stuff, fast food chains don't count)

Those factors aside, you can live reasonably comfortably on 1.7 mill, and save money, but it is a little below the average pay scale.

My advice, go for the school that seems best in terms of quality work environment. Life is too short to be miserable for a year, just for the sake of a few million won ( which would probably be spent on efforts to drown your sorrows anyway Rolling Eyes

)

Zyzyfer · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2003 9:37 pm Post subject:

I'd reckon an average bill of sale for a month of life in Korea would run between 400,000-600,000 won.

The Marchioness · Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Location: teetering on the edge

You can live very comfortably on about 800,000 won per month. This includes going out every weekend and spending money on expensive lunches, dinners, beers, and so on. I save between 1,200 and 1,500 Canadian dollars every month without depriving myself of anything.

However, if you are a dedicated drunk and hit the sauce every single day, then of course you will hardly be able to save anything at all. There are many such here in Korea and they have serious money (and drinking)problems; but then - they would do the same at home.

As a previous poster stated, it is far more important to get a really good gig, and maybe take a little less money, simply for the sake of your sanity. 2.2 million and a missing link for a director are a bad combo.

TM

makushi · Joined: 08 Jun 2003

danyuk · Joined: 17 Jun 2003

yeah, big up the soju. I wasted loads on cans of beer when i got here. The only time i spend too much is when i go to 'clubs', like limelight Rolling Eyes

The cost for a beer is double and its only a crappy litte bottle. Buying drinks for women doesnt help either!

I spend more like 8-900000 a month and still will be able to save, even after sending money home for bills. Laughing

Cedar · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2003 3:49 am Post subject:

If you eat in cheaper restaurants and cook at home, don't buy a lot of imported food stuff... then I'd say you can be just fine for 300,000 a month outside of Seoul, not including a bad telephone bill.

CanKorea · Joined: 23 Jun 2003 Location: Pyeongchon

I think I know which place I'd rather go with now. I was in Korea about 3 years ago but spent a ton because we were tourists and expensive tourists at that. I wouldn't be this time around.

Cheers!

Gwangjuboy · Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Location: England

Including phone and utility bills I think that 1.2 million is about right. That will give you a very good life in Korea and you can still save quite a bit.

camel96 · Guest

You can get by on as little as 10,000 won a day (including bills)- I did this for a year and a half. I just don't think not being able to afford to do anything other than stay home and watch Arirang TV really contributes to a healthy frame of mind. If you budget on about 500,000 a month you have leftovers for drinking nights, movies, noraebangs etc. You'll definitely have a better time.