Korean Job Discussion Forums

[schlitterbahn]

I'm planning to come over to Korea this year .... so my friend sends me this article about most expensive cities and Korea is second to Moscow, with Tokyo following in third place. Does anyone believe this is true? If so, how does everyone save so much money?

Here's the article

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13550576/from/ET/

[own_king]

Seoul might be an expensive city, but not when you don't have to pay rent or have to pay 40% in taxes. If you can stomach Korean food like I can, you should have no problem saving a lot of money. Just make sure your school pays your rent and key money, as most do.

[mithridates]

[princess]

I don't believe Seoul is more expensive than Tokyo. Someone got his/her info wrong. And...New York City is number 10? Again, wrong!

[plattwaz]

Ya, I was also pretty shocked to see Seoul so high up on the list -- London is far more expensive, IMO. I pay 600,000 a month here for an officetel, and a space of an equivalent size in London would run me at least 600 POUNDS. (I know because I am helping a friend who is moving there look for apartments). Obviously key money here is a factor, but because you get it back, I don't count it in.

Taxis here are extremely cheap, what costs 10,000 won in Seoul would be about 25 quid or more in London, and buses/underground rates in London are insanely high as well.

So, I (personally) don't put too much weight into these "cost of living" surveys.......

[cdninkorea]

From what I understand, the cost of living in New York is considered lower because while it is apparently true that a given basket of goods will be more expensive there, average salaries are higher as well, making it relatively cheaper.
If it were a 'Cost of Travelling' list, then I'm sure New York would have a higher ranking.

[sjrm]

from what i've heard, san francisco is the most expensive city in the US. although i don't have the sources, i've seen many lists with this followed by monterrey, california, then, new york city. as LA being more expensive than san francisco, that's wrong. san fran has usually been quite more expensive than LA.

[numazawa]

So what if Seoul is the "2cd most expensive" -- just buy the singles.

[harryh]

[bigverne]

I am paying �500 per month in London, excluding bills, and share a house with 3 other people. I have no idea how much renting by yourself costs but it must be extremely high because I know very few people who do it.

In Seoul, you can rent a decent studio flat for between 500,000-600,000. Of course, you have to put down a deposit, but the rent is far cheaper.

Having lived in both cities, London is far more expensive than Seoul.

[Gwangjuboy]