Korean Job Discussion Forums

[edwardcatflap]

[MigukCowboy]

[edwardcatflap]

So is it possible to start a business in Thailand or buy a good car and some land for 30k in the US? In the UK 30k wouldn't even get you a good car. Not a new one anyway

[Konglishman]

I just that I would add my own thoughts and experiences to this thread.

After going through a divorce in 2007, I left graduate school with a master's degree. Then, due to a Korean friend who was studying English in the USA, I got the idea to come to Korea... Initially, I worked as an English teacher for several months. However, after that, I taught a subject related to my field of study at an international school and later at a university.

Incidentally, after my first year in Korea, I actually had strongly considered coming back to the US and even had a friend who thought he could get me a high paying job back home, but the financial crisis that began in 2008, largely put such ideas on hold.

Now, it is 2012. Since 2007, I have paid off 20 thousand dollars of debt, have saved up nearly 30 thousand dollars, have lived in Thailand for 5 months, and have traveled to most countries in Southeast Asia not to mention Sri Lanka and Dubai in United Arab Emirates.

You're talking about returning to the USA when you have 30 thousand dollars saved up. Personally, I think that is not enough. 100 thousand dollars would be the number I have in mind when it comes to starting all over again there back in the US. By the way, the interest rates in America are horrible. I am getting a much deal leaving a lot of my money in a KEB savings account.

Actually, I have left Korea as I have found better opportunities in Shanghai. As to whether I will ever return to the USA, I am honestly not sure. Of course, I am considering the idea of going back in possibly a year or two as I wish to earn a PhD in my field of study. On the other hand, the US is not the only place where one can earn a PhD. Maybe, I will do a PhD in Shanghai instead...

[Poker]

I am curios. When people talk about saving a 'nest egg' or a 'padded' bank account, is that closer to 100k or 30k in most people's minds? I read that people wanted economic freedom and so on. How much would 30-40k last for in the US? Also, how much would that amount last for in SE Asia/Asia? For me when I see people wanting to save an amount that can be called sizeable, its around 100k. Just curios what kind of figure people have in their heads when they make these decisions to work in Korea or China etc.

[Unposter]

Not sure I really have anything much to contribute to this thread but I'll try anyway.

Unless you plan on buying houses in Detroit, I don't think 30K will get you very far in the U.S. I'd say that sum is about equal to a one year transfer period - maybe you could stretch it into two if you have connections and you are thrifty. If you could land a decent job, maybe it would finance more education.

Some people get caught in this trap of they save some money here in Korea lets say 10 - 30K and then eat through it all fairly quickly trying to transition back in their home countries. I think unless you have friends or family who can help you, you are going to need more.

In Thailand, it could last you around three years, which could be a pretty nice vacation! You might be able to start a business with that but it would be unlikely to be one that made much.

100k is certainly more doable both in Thailand and in the U.S. But, I'd say even more would be a big help!!!

[nautilus]

[Evanzinho]

[MigukCowboy]

If I had 30K I could stretch it out pretty far. But yes, it would be very risky and probably not enough money. It would be enough to buy a small piece of land, a car and get started. I know a guy who did it on 15K. He bought an acre and a car and he's out there doing it. Of course you gotta be a hippie and gotta be ready to rough it to do it like that.

Unfortunately, I can't just pull money out of my arse. So I gotta set some kind of modest goals. I am done thinking about the American dream. I just want to have a degree of freedom.

Screw it. Maybe I should just go homeless and get my face all tattooed up and wear a spiked leather jacket everyday. Walk around with a dog on a rope drinking 40s. Is it really worse than running in this rat race?

[MigukCowboy]

[newb]

[Modernist]

This thread is pretty damn funny. All of you. And you wonder why I call out ESL teaching as a loser, chump job? OK, go back and read this thread one more time.

Have any of you ever considered, and I know this will come as a shock, actually getting educated and trained in a technical skill or profession, which would thereby allow you to find a decent-paying job back home and get off the 'wage slave'/permanent expat treadmill?

I mean, seriously. Buy land? Buy a new car? Travel the world? THIS is what you'd piss away any Korean savings doing? And you wonder why you can't get out of here? Unless you plan to join the lucrative world of ranching or farming, land is an anchor. As an investment it's fit only for millionaires or fools. Are you so blind you didn't see all the people whose investments in real property were completely wiped out during the crisis? How would you feel if you paid 200K cash for a nice house in a new neighborhood and then all your neighbors defaulted on their mortgages and your investment is now worth 40K? I saw that happen. It can happen anywhere, to farmland, to development sites, to downtown condos, to freaking harbor slips for boats. Anything.

Cars are even more foolish. Half the book value on a new car is gone the minute you sign the papers. The best case is actually living in a place with quality public transit [yes, I know this cuts back the choices but they are out there]. If you need to buy one get a quality model [say, an Elantra] pre-owned 2 years. Cuts the costs but still new enough so you DON'T have to pour more cash into fixing it regularly like a fool.

Traveling is fine, I do it myself. But have some self-control. 18 countries? Months with a backpack? Why do that? Don't be stupid. You can take a few weeks and still 'open your soul' or 'face your demons' or whatever mushy BS you are trying to pull off.

The reason you people can't get a decent job is because, by and large, you haven't been trained to DO anything of value in the modern American economy [excepting a few like cheezsteakwit or konglishman]. It IS tough. I am COMPLETELY aware of the challenge. But you've got to TRY if you want to make it. Don't come back and just burn off all your savings in some orgy of XBox and booze. Live in a cheaper area, get a marginal job, and spend the bulk of your time in training or education related to a PROPER job! That's how you'll get out of this.

[Zackback]

Modernist,
It's too late for all that stuff..ya know getting new skills etc. Plus the fact it is expensive.
Economy back home isn't any good anyway so being in Korea is a really wise move on this guys part.

[hiamnotcool]

[MigukCowboy]