Korean Job Discussion Forums

[goyovista]

Hello,

I'm moving in mid-July and was wondering the above question. I've been told $800 but I would imagine more is needed just in case the worst case scenario happens. I'm thinking of Busan, Changwon and other such towns. Thank you.

[alabamaman]

[kiwigirl :O)]

i had about $1000 (new zealand dollar equivalent) on a visa cash passport card which i could use very easily in korea
i am based in pohang which is not a huge city but it is not the smallest either...that was enough to buy a few things for the apartment (like food, electric jug etc) and to still go out with the expats etc

it does depend on how you spend your money
im a girly girl who likes shopping and i was in no way deprived of shopping in the first month

also its a good idea to keep a stash of cash for a worst case contingency

:O)

[mindmetoo]

Always make sure you have enough liquid cash to get home too. You never know.

[Hotpants]

Safe side: 1 million won per month + a RETURN/exit ticket option.

[goyovista]

it always helps to be safe. I appreciate the suggestions very much

[goyovista]

Thanks for the help. Seems like $1000 is a good number. I'm not a big spender, unless it comes to travelling (which I wont be doing immediately) or the overpriced bottle of wine.

[Big Mac]

I brought $700 with me and I was pinching pennies by the end of that first month. The thing I've always noticed about moving to a new location is that you spend the most money in that first month on expenses. For example, your grocery bill is always higher because you have to buy condiments and what not and also you have to get yourself comfortable in your apartment. I would say $1000 would be better.

Remember though, that if you have an account in your home country you can always access your money in Korea with your bank card. ATMs will actually give you a better exchange rate than you would get from a currency changer or bank....especially if you're cashing traveller's cheques. I guess Visa cards have even better rates.

Whatever you do, don't change your money at the airport...the exchange rate is always a rip-off! Just withdraw some Won at a bank machine when you get to Korea. Most of the ATMs at major banks in Korea have English options. There are major national banks in the basement of Incheon airport. Korea Exchange Bank is probably the best bet.

Just one more thing about using your bank card....withdraw a lot of money at once. My bank charges a $5 fee for every withdrawal outside of Canada.

[Son Deureo!]

If you follow the advice in this thread $30 is all you need.

[ChopChaeJoe]

I think I got by with about $500 my first month, and I wasn't pinching pennies. You can find very cheap restaurants. If you get stuck for money you first month, you can probably get an advance from your school. It's not a big deal.

I would reccomend having an American bank account in place before you leave. i didn't and it has caused me a lot of problems.


Bring deoderant. It's very expensive (and possibly hard to find) here.

[Big Mac]

[ChopChaeJoe]

Luckily, I brought plenty with me. Just iving a heads-up to a fellow Texan moving here in the middle of summer.