Korean Job Discussion Forums

[KwardBound]

So, a quick look at the job board shows the average monthly ESL teacher salary for a novice in Korea is like 2.3 million won.

An average monthly ESL teacher salary for a novice in Japan is like 250000 yen.

When I used a currency exchange thing online, it showed me that I'd be making about $1,000 USD more in Japan per month.

Now, I can use that $1000 to pay my monthly rent for my accomodation(which I get to choose). So, that kind of takes away Korea's apt. provided advantage.

I've lived in Tokyo before, so I have a decent idea of what the prices are like.

In Japan, transportation to and from school is usually covered. I beleive that it is not in Korea.

Japan affords more opportunities for making extracurricular money.

Now, I have no idea about what the cost of food, electricity, and non-school subway rides go for in Korea, but can it really be that much cheaper than Japan?

I figure that if you are used to being frugal already, then you should be able to save relatively well even in expensive locations.

Please help me figure this out OR, better yet, please prove me wrong.

[Louis VI]

Without a doubt, Japan sucks money out of your pocket much faster and more frequently than Korea does.

And I contend it's easy to save half your pay in Korea, or at least $1,000 U.S. a month, and still travel about the country on weekends and eat out often.

[KwardBound]

But what is the beginning monthly salary for new teachers in Korea?

-And what makes you think that one can't also save $1000 USD with the beginning salary in Japan?

Besides, I intended to save more than $1000USD per month (as a beginner)

[jvalmer]

Cost of transportation is much cheaper. You can travel to the next city, 30km away, for $35 max by taxi. Also Korean food and booze is cheap compared to the local equivalents in Japan. Can buy a decent dinner and get drunk for under $20.

[KwardBound]

I don't eat out though.

Furthermore, if my goal is to save money, why would I need to go to the next city, by taxi no less?

I was born and raised in New York City. In 20 plus years I've been in a cab 10 times or less.

[thegadfly]

You can probably live on 600,000 won a month, or less, depending on how desperately you need to be frugal. After you have all the little things you may need (rice cooker, bicycle, cleaning supplies, whatever), your monthly expenses should be under that, unless you like to hit up the foreign bars. I eat out nearly every lunch and dinner (though I have learned the tastier cheap places to go, rather than fancy or foreign places), and catch movies and hit up the bars or coffee shops occasionally, and I seldom break the 600k mark.

If you can save significantly more than $1250 a month in Japan, I would say that Japan may be better for you -- you know what your expenses run there, and I do not. I was under the impression that it was very expensive (as in, double or more Korean prices for things), but if that is not the case, you may do just as well, or better, there.

[KwardBound]

I believe that I can very easily, very easily save over $1250 USD per month in Japan

[jvalmer]

[dharma bum]

i think it'd be difficult to save $1250 a month in korea on the average teacher's salary (2.2 million won or so a month?), but it wouldn't be impossible, especially if the exchange rate improves. also, i'm not sure how the system in japan works, but you should remember to calculate in the pension refund you will receive, as well as your severance pay, which will be equal to one month's salary.

if you're scrimping and don't go out, you can eat very cheaply - probably about 10,000-15,000 won/day - if you stick to korean food or other simple foods. a subway ride will run you about 1,200 won, and utilities - depending on where you're living - might range between 25,000 to 75,000 won a month on the lower end.

you ask why you would need to travel to another city if you're looking to save money, so that makes me think that all you care about is saving money even if it means your living conditions will be fairly harsh - and the numbers i've used above reflect that. you can get by very cheaply in korea, but you won't be very comfortable in doing so, i don't think. given that, if you can save that amount of money while living comfortably in japan, it might be better to live there, since i think most of the cost difference between the two countries comes in the form of optional activities like travel and nightlife and so you wouldn't get much benefit out of that difference while possibly giving up a fair amount of comfort.

[KwardBound]

[SpaceGhoster]

[kingasiatic88]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[SpaceGhoster]

[AsiaESLbound]

I deleted such a long post here and saved it in a word file for a blog or book on my taking the road not taken by most of my peers. They stayed home while I choose seek green pastures a half a world away. I just had to choose a very conservative part of the world when I prefer outgoing worldly people in great cultural centers not afraid to talk with me. Seoul's OK, but still not what I would expect out of a center. I want to do something like work in Tokyo and Hong Kong, but competition in the job markets is so stiff requiring uber professional credentials on top of many years of experience.

Just come to Korea for a visit if you haven't been since you got the money to start up again in Japan if you choose that option again this time around. I don't have to explain Korean culture as I'm sure upon trying it on, you will catch on quickly and then know if you want to wear it for a year or longer.