Korean Job Discussion Forums

numan · Joined: 12 Oct 2006

I worked in Seoul last year but I'm currently working in Japan, and have been for the last 5 months. It's really expensive over here and saving money is almost an impossibility. I'm also having to spend a lot of time traveling to schools and have to work on Saturdays. It's cool living near Tokyo but I kinda miss Seoul. I also miss having weekends free and feeling like I earn a decent wage...

There's a lot of other things to weigh up but I'm just looking for some opinions/advice on what I should do?

yingwenlaoshi · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Location: ... location, location!

Japan doesn't seem like the place to go right now, and I don't know if it will be in the future. As far as money goes.

VanIslander · Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 12:01 am Post subject:

raw fish or fermented cabbage? one concrete jungle for another?

Mad

gawd no!

... instead... learn to cook, and as for locale...

split the difference and live near but not in Busan or Fukuoka, enjoy the beach and go to big cities once or twice a month instead of slug your way through the commute and pollution daily

numan · Joined: 12 Oct 2006

A change of scenery might be good but I've got friends in Seoul and I'm more of a city person anyway...

On the point of making money, the won has been getting weaker recently while the yen has been getting stronger. Is everyone still finding it easy to save money over there?

It looked like the wages were increasing after the visa regulation change made it more difficult to get teachers quickly but I think I might have missed the boat because some of the jobs I'm seeing advertised are offering low starting salary and some places aren't even reimbursing airfare.

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

Korea Has World's Highest Suicide Rate
Chosun Ilbo (April 23, 2007)
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200704/200704230029.html

TB Infections in Korea Highest in OECD
Chosun Ilbo (March 23, 2005)
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200503/200503230041.html

MrRogers · Joined: 29 Jun 2008

stay in Japan

just try to live more frugally

Sadebugo1 · Joined: 11 May 2003

I am begging you not to return to Korea!! You can actually have a life in Japan.

Sadebugo
http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/

jadarite · Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 3:02 am Post subject:

Sushi is better than kimchi when eaten by itself, but kimchi is in a different class of its own. You don't eat kimchi for a meal, it's more of a side dish. However, sushi can be eaten as a meal.

I would much rather have kimchi with other foods than sushi. I would compare sushi with hui instead. Hui is eaten with leaves and pepper paste. Even the wasabi has pepper in it.

Another comparison would be nengmyeon with cold soba in the summer (I forgot what the Japanese call it, but I ate a lot of it when I was there).

Draz · Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Location: Land of Morning Clam

All I know is there's not much point in living somewhere cool if you have no time or money to enjoy it.

numan · Joined: 12 Oct 2006

With the poll I wasn't really trying to compare sushi and kimchi as foods. I was just using them as symbols of either country. I am aware of their culinary differences. Thanks though.

numan · Joined: 12 Oct 2006

Trevor · Joined: 16 Nov 2005

Ah hah! I have the answer. You see, you have made a fundamental error. You have mistakenly identified Tokyo as a cool place to live.

The correct answer is to find another city in Japan which is authentically cool and not faux-cool like Tokyo. Then you can enjoy life at reasonable prices.

My work is done here. Good luck.

oskinny1 · Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Location: Right behind you!

Adventurer · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

Go to another more affordable city in Japan. Why are you in Tokyo?
A friend of mine works in Japan, and he doesn't work on Saturdays.
The won is weaker than what it used to be, and the yen is quite strong. If your friends are here, and you really miss Seoul, then I would say come back. Tokyo is more expensive than Seoul. That's for sure.
We can't really make up your mind for you. It could be better for you in Korea if you land a great job. It could be good if you go to a cheaper Japanese city. You are comparing your current situation in Japan with your past one in Korea, which was better.

cdninkorea · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

$10 a day on the subway? I'd move closer to work or buy a bicycle (if it's too far for a bicycle, would a motorcycle be a viable option?)

If you feel like you're burning out and aren't enjoying Japan, then perhaps you should move back to Korea. Japan will always be there for vacations if you want. And the weak won? Here's hoping that's temporary.