Korean Job Discussion Forums

[austinfd]

OK, I know that what I'm about to ask is

a) personal
b) only a rough estimate, and would vary from individual to individual

if you're OK with that, proceed!

I am coming to work for SMOE in a few weeks. It will be my first contract in Korea. I'll be making 2.3, and I want to start making rough budget plans to minimize any surprises.

In the US, I have an idea about what it takes to eat, and commute, and play. But I have no clue about what that is like on a monthly basis in Seoul.

So, I'm hoping you're willing to give me BASIC and ROUGH estimates about what you guys spend on the following budget items:

1)avg. groceries per month for a single guy.
2)cell phone (pls. dont tell me it depends on what service and plan, I know that, just interested in avg. cost)
3)subway fare
4)utilities (i'm guessing that is heat/elec/water...what is standard?)

Thanks!

[FlagWaver]

1. Haircut, massage and a blo-job 70 000 won.


You'll need one at least once a week to cope with the BS in that country

[SuperHero]

subway is 800-1000 won per trip.

[W.T.Carl]

If you don't go crazy, you could live rather well on about 1/2 of what your making. This would include eating out every night (Korean NOT Western), drinking decent beer ( I suggest OB) and going out to play one night a week. Do this and you will walk away from Korea with a fair bit of coin in your pocket.

[the_beaver]

Depends on you, but I could easily save half of what you're making.
1) groceries -- rarely buy them because eating in Korean restaurants is almost as cheap and a whole lot less bother.
2) Cell phones -- didley shit. Maybe 70,000 won for a bargain basement card phone and if you don't use it too much I'd say 20,000 won a month on the outside.
3) Subway fare -- depends on the distance, but not much. Although if you work at SMOE you'll have to take a bus, as well (it's walkable from the subway station, but it's a good hike).
4) Utilities -- all over the board. I probably average just over 100,000 won a month.

[ttompatz]

[justagirl]

My husband and I started out spending 1.5 million a month and within 6 months, we were down to 800-900. We went on 2 trips out of the country that year. Don't know if that helps or not. We ate out all the time, went to Seoul 1-2 times a month, went to movies every week, had cell phones, etc.

Unless you just wanted to be a big spender, plan on being able to send home over 1 million a month.

[seoulsista]

I agree with tompatz on his estimations with the exception of the deductions. Either that's a typo or your boss is giving it to you like a bad porno. 300,000 won in deductions!!!! That's insane.

I'm female (if that matters) and I send home 1.5 out of 2.3 every month. Here's my budget:
deductions: 110,000
utilities: (I share my place)
150,000/200,000 won (winter/summer)
cell phone - 30,000
internet - 30,000
apt. fee - 60,000 (won't have in a villa, ask your recruiter
- inc. water)
electicity - 20,000/120,000 (winter/summer)
gas - 40,000 / 20,000 (winter/summer)
groceries: 200,000 (groceries are no cheaper here than back home IMO)
weekends: 200,000
beer - 2,000
movie ticket - 6,000
train/bus to another city - 6,000
travel: I put aside 200,000 a month every month for travel Malaysia, Japan, SE Asia Peninsula

I'm not a total cheap ass but last year I was really lax about my spending and ended up not hitting my target for paying off my loans. If you have serious loans (I see you are American) then you want to ask yourself: How long do I want to be here? One year or two? If I had been smarter last year I could be going home with my first and last month's rent and security, which as you know in DC is about $3,000. But I don't have that so...

[austinfd]

Thanks everyone..

You've been helpful! I do expect to sock away a ton of $$ to kick Sallie Mae "out to the curb!"

[austinfd]

Heres another question....

How do you pay your utilities? I hear that personal checks aren't used...so do most people set up automatic tranfers for elec/heat/water etc.?

[SuperHero]