Korean Job Discussion Forums

[stalinsdad]

I wondered whether other teachers here believe that Korea is cheap? I always thought it was, but now that I'm returning to the UK I've realised that maybe it isn't as cheap as I thought.
Yes, it is true that service is cheap, in restaurants, bars etc but the basic commodities aren't that cheap and are even more expensive than in a country, the UK, that is deemed "expensive."

I did some homework today and I thought it may be of interest to some teachers, especially longtimers, like myself.

Basic costs in Korea and the UK of items we use!

Korea UK
Petrol=1469W 85p=1500W
Diesel=1290W 83p=1470W
Tin of Tunax2=3900W 2.00=3400W
Sugar 1kg=1300W 72p=1300W
Milk 1 litre= 49p=900W
Bread loaf=2000W 66p=1170W
2 litre coke=1800W 1.36p=2400W
Huggies80naps=28000W 2000x100maxi=38000W
Baby milk(Maeil)x800g=18900 cow&gate=5.35p= 9500W
Mushroomsx100g=1400W 24p=430W
Garlic 1 bulb=100W 20p=350W
Oranges (mandarins) x100g=580W 15p=270W
Steak sirloin (Korean) 100g=8500W 129p=2300W
Pork ribs 100g=1780W 77p=1370W
-----------------------unable to check Korean price-----------
Mackerel (smoked) 100g=80p=1400W
King Prawns not peeled=100p=1800W
Langoustines 100g=77p=1400W
Chicken whole 2.5kg=3.87=6900W
Heinz Spaghetti Bolognaise tin=78p=1388W
Rice American long grain 1 kg=50p=900W
Carrots 100g=7p=125W
Kiwi 1 each=10p=180W
Olive oil extra virgin 1 kg=457p=8200W
Cabbagex1=44p=780W
Doughnut jamx1=12p=210W
All these groceries are fresh unless marked differently.
The prices in Korea above were this week in Carrefour Jeonju, emart prices are similar. I used Tesco Online Shopping to compare the 2 prices and I didn�t go for the cheapest and didn�t include any 2 for 1 offer or buy 1 and get 1 free etc, these are the prices with no discounts.
So is Korea cheap after all?????????????

[VanIslander]

As a newbie you can eat out in a variety of Korean restaurants every night of the week, trying something new each and every night, getting ripe drunk on the local alcohols (soju, wines, etc) and still not spend half your paycheck even if you paid for the other guy as well!

Adapt and change foods, try the hundred-odd Korean dishes that are new to you and skip the sirloin steak, try Korean bbq grill restaurants instead.

After four years here I still am discovering kinds of Korean restaurants I didn't know existed. Their cuisine is much more extensive than some would think.

Gas prices? Take the ultra-cheap buses within and between cities, with good and reliable schedules.

Korea can be as cheap or expensive as you make it to be. Focus on maximizing the value to be had. Or try to live like you do back home and pay the premium. Koreans sure complain at how expensive it is to eat their dishes elsewhere in the world.

Korea is cheap after all!
...
Korea is expensive after all!
...
Both are true.

[stalinsdad]

Thanks Islander.
I'm no newbie, been here 5 years, but then again I have my own apartment and a wife and a kid. I go out for galbi, samgyapsal, kimchi chigae, yukgayjang etc often but with a child it is limiting, so I buy in.
I agree that it's great for a single guy/gal but eating out can be a drag too, unwanted attention, bad food choices, meat that is probably from a disease ridden drussela cow etc.
I think the life style you are mentioning is limited and unhealthy and as an obese teacher like 80% I have met in Korea it's wise to cook sometimes for yourself. Yes, Sirloin steak is a luxury but one I happened to buy yesterday, the items were from yesterday's shop.
Anyhow thanks for your comments.

[gang ah jee]

smokingdrinkingtaxis

[rocklee]

Mate, you're comparing UK!

[stalinsdad]

Yes, rock lee, how astute of you.
You see I can guess from your reaction that you think the UK is expensive?
I suppose if you go to London for a week and buy your groceries at the nearest pakistani shop it would be very expensive, however most people who live and work use a supermarket like Tesco's. The reason I listed these items was not for Daves esl but for my wife who was worried about cost. I added this topic as an interest to other married/+children British citizens to maybe alay their fear. I also posted because many people of all nationalities have a presumption, usual second hand that the UK is so expensive.
Try getting a room at any 4 star hotel in Seoul, see how much it'll cost!!
Anyhow it is true that accomodation is expensive in the UK, that is why 70% of people are house owners, it's a way of saving. Anyhow if you don't believe me go to tesco's online and see.
As for accomodation, I'm renting for 400 pounds pcm fully furnished with a 40' tv, 3 computers, 3 bedrooms a large garden etc etc, so if you look around you can get a good deal. I just hope others who are thinking about visiting the UK aren't put off by usually second or third hand advice that is usually wrong in the first place.

[HamuHamu]

The thing is, all you have compared in these prives are some basic groceries / foodstuffs. Oh, and petrol.

Dig up the cost comparisons for --

a pint of lager
a pack of cigs
a one night DVD rental
monthly electricity bill
coffee & a muffin at an avg cafe
subway fare
a new tea kettle
school uniforms
etc etc

Food costs are important but they aren't the only thing that is worth comparing.

[whitebeagle]

[mack the knife]

[DCJames]

If you live like a monk and eat small cheap unutritious Korean meals, it can be cheap.

[stalinsdad]

I agree London is expensive but who the hell wants to live there anyway. London also pays more but I don't think it offsets the cost of beer, cinema, tube, travel etc.
The guy said how about beer etc..
Well I don't drink and when I very occasionally do it's at home. Ciggies are totally overpriced in the UK but I'm glad because I need to give up anyway. The tube well, that's London for you. The last time I was there there weren't any Londoners in London that I could find. I shall be going to the sticks to play golf, walk and go fishing on my 30 foot motor cruiser. Not a bad life, ps the club fees are only 560 pounds a year, can play 7 days a week, watch out Tiger Woods!!!!

[Ya-ta Boy]

Have you found anyone in London who will fly you half-way around the world on their dime and pay for your housing for a year?

Except in Korea, those are known as sugar daddies.

Now roll over and be quiet.

[stalinsdad]

Not sure who or why you are directing your comment to, but living in a 1 bedroom is hardly my idea of success, it's called survival.
Now roll over and be quiet!

[europe2seoul]

[whitebeagle]