Korean Job Discussion Forums

Jeju Rocks · Joined: 23 Aug 2004

Move to Jeju-do. There are many foreign families and outdoor things to do here.

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 4:06 am Post subject:

Modernist, your point would go across so much better if you were able to refrain from DEMEANING and INSULTING people who do stay home with their kids.

Just saying.....but hey from all the crap that came in your posts I think you are quite confortable in your judge's chair.

As for the OP, choosing rural Korean can be a challenger and an opportunity. A mid-sized city might be your best bet if you wish to limit cost but get some of the advantages of a city.

In a mid-sized city that is close to a major centre (Busan, Seoul) you can meet expats. As for expat parents, while you will meet some, the majority of teaching expats are single or without kids. There are groups of parents out there however. We belonged to one in Busan when we lived there.

Sharing with Korean mothers can be a good idea and in that respect a daycare would go a long way as you would meet them there.

You can do well in Korea with your situation if you budget tightly, choose your location well....

Once again, best of luck to your little family!

s10czar · Joined: 14 Feb 2010

I agree with smurfetta.
Again, I'm one town over from Jangheun. The boredom will eat you alive.

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 4:33 am Post subject:

Stan Rogers · Joined: 20 Aug 2010

Died By Bear · Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 1:25 pm Post subject:

The OP's wife will be running a private school in her living room making cash by the bucketloads teaching 5 yr olds by the end of the 4th month.

Edit: If Korean mothers are anything like they were ten years ago, they believe that their kids will learn English through the pores of their skin as long as they're near a westerner - you can charge them by the hour to hang out with your wife and kid, seriously. Very Happy

eperdue4ad · Joined: 22 May 2006

One thing you can do to combat the boredom is arrange (through husband's school) to visit a student or two at the students' homes-- and bring the baby along. Lots of Korean moms LOVE babies and will be really eager to play with the baby right there while you have a (slow and awkward) chat with the student.

As your baby gets older, it will be really important for him/her to get stimulation from outside what you guys can give. Take advantage of the Koreans-- I find them to be really good at entertaining infants. Make sure they wash their hands first though-- hygiene standards are very different here.

djferg · Joined: 22 Aug 2011

I am in almost the same situation as you. My son is a little bit older, almost 10 months and my wife plans on taking care of him at home while I work. I have been in contact with several schools, but they all stop contacting me when I mention my family! At this point I have so many doubts, but I still want to move as soon as possible.

At what stage in the process should I mention my family (cover letter, phone interview, etc)?
Is it ever possible to get a two bedroom in a city?

Hope everything goes well for you!

Guajiro · Joined: 04 Dec 2008

travelnguy · Joined: 27 Sep 2007

I am sure everyone is correct in their own way. We are each different and no two cases will be the same.

I am married and we have a son who just turned two. My wife stays at home and we do just fine.

I don't know anything about the town you are moving to, but we also live in a rural area. That aside, there is plenty to do. My wife takes classes (art, dance, and swimming) with my son. They are mommy and me type classes. These classes are offered at the local Homeplus and are very cheap.

We have met quite a few Koreans, some of whom married foreigners, and alternate houses every week for wine/beer nights. The adults enjoy themselves and the kids all play together.

There are numerous places to go that have jump houses or indoor play places. My wife has met and become friends with many people that way.

Clothes are very expensive. Don't buy them here. It's easy, buy a ton of them in the states. Watch department stores, ebay, etc. Buy them on sale and leave them with someone. When you have enough, fill a box up from the post office and have it sent to Korea. We've never had a problem doing this. We get boxes for every season. My son is two and we have never bought one piece of clothing for him at any store in Korea.

If you are able to save, I would buy a car. Because you will be in a rural area, this will be a godsend. We travel a lot and most babies and toddlers love just being in the car.

My son loves everything about Korea. From pushing cars out of the way so we can back ours out to the crazy church ladies that knock too loudly on the door. We include him in everything and he is having a ball.

Good luck and let me know if I can help in any way.