Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mhsw]

I have two questions:

1) My wife and I plan on moving to Korea in the next 6 months from the US. I will be the only one teaching, since she doesn't have her BA degree. Never having lived in Korea, we were wondering how reasonable it is to expect to be able to support both of us on one teaching income and still be able to save and put away money on some debt that we are trying to reduce. We plan on living very simply and indulging in few luxeries and we have only about $250 in bills that we will be paying in the US per month duriing our absence.

2) How open are employers to a teacher who will be bringing a spouse that will not be teaching? Will that be a problem in finding a job that will pay housing? We have seen that often single housing is provided, or shared housing, through the employer. We'd be willing to make do in a single housing unit as a couple.

Does anyone know of other couples in Korea where only one teaches? We've both lived internationally before and we'd really love to make a go of this. Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.

[Ya-ta Boy]

You might want to be a little careful about accepting a job that offers single housing for the two of you. Single housing CAN mean living in a shoebox. Some are extremely tiny. Other places offer single housing that includes two or even three bedrooms. It depends on the wealth of the school and the location. (Housing in Korea is very expensive.)

It's my impression the public schools more commonly provide larger apts than the average hakwon.

Most people will tell you that a single person can live comfortably on 50% of their salary. Being married will require you to spend more, but sending home $250 a month should be easily doable.

[korea252]

Hi
My husband and I were in your position a couple of months ago. He managed to find a job eventually that would provide larger accommodation even though it would only be him working. He offered to take a pay cut if it helped him get a better place for us to live.
Because we wanted to stay in Seoul it took longer to find an employer however if you're both willing to live outside of Seoul then it should be a lot easier for you.
Living on one wage is easy - we have enough to be able to go out and even travel around the country. Not going out will mean you can send the $250 back no problem - expect the first couple of months to be a bit difficult though as you'll be waiting for your first pay cheque and settling in.
Good luck!

[fiveeagles]

My wife and I are doing it and we are sending about 900 to 1000 bucks home each month.

Depends on your lifestyle.

When do you want to work? I may have some information for you.

PM if you are interested.

[HapKi]

Unless your wife is extremely small, I suggest leaving her at home. Use the freed up luggage space for hard to find items like vitamins, books and Pop Tarts. You can always pick up a new wife over here.

[Colorado]

My wife and I came to Korea from Thailand. She is Thai. I teach at a public school in a small town near Busan. My wife found volunteer work which gets her out of the apartment for four or five hours a day and allows her to make friends on her own. She was going bonkers sitting around all day. Our apartment is new and modern, also quite small but it works for us. We are saving to build a home in Thailand and manage to set aside about 1 million won each month on my 2.3 million won salary. We don't go out much, except to the local gym, but our apartment has cable tv with lots of movie channels and broadband internet. Our school system is always looking for teachers (like who isn't). PM me if you're interested. There are perhaps a dozen foreigners in town.

[kermo]

I wonder about what your wife will do while you're at work. I've been off work for a few weeks, and I'm already going nuts. If she doesn't know Korea, she could get verrrrry lonely.

Don't worry about the money though. You should be fine. It's really cheap to eat (and drink) here, whether you cook at home, or eat at restaurants.

[ttompatz]

[tzechuk]

[Ya-ta Boy]

Wives are a convenience. Over-rated. Pop Tarts are...hmmmm, I can't think of a good analogy. They just are more important. There is no substitute.

[mhsw]

I appreciate the feedback given so far in answer to my questions. I should clarify though: We want to come to Korea, live simply and make headway on some loans and debt. Our $250 in bills is simply what we HAVE to send home in order to stay afloat but what we're wondering is whether we can expect to save beyond that $250 as a couple, on one income. It sounds like some of you have alluded that that might be possible. The $250 is the minimum we have to put down on our bills each month but ideally we'd like to send home more than that...Any thoughts?

[ttompatz]