Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dharmasister]

I am just starting out in the process of getting a job in Korea. I probably won't arrive until early 2011. I have a huge house full of furniture that I plan to store for the next year or two or ten while I am away and I am sorting out the "essentials" that I want to have in Korea. (I have seen how small the apartments are.) I plan to have my belongings organized and boxed up so that a friend of mine can ship them to me one at a time. Has anyone else undertaken this or does everyone just buy everything over there? I really have way more clothes and shoes than I will be able to fit in 2-3 suitcases. How expensive can this get? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[laguna]

[dharmasister]

Thanks - hadn't even thought of that.

[Milwaukiedave]

Well I was in the same situation when I came over. I had my stuff and stuff left over from my father (who had died six months before I came here). I put everything in storage and only took what I could in my suitcases. The next trip I took a few things back with me. Last year after deciding I'd be here for the long term, I just unloaded everything except three or four boxes which I will eventually bring over somehow.

[dharmasister]

Milwaukiedave: What was your luggage allotment like for the flight over? Two or three bags plus one carry on? I'm also bringing my dog. I have enough shoes to fill two suitcases. And my clothes? Geez, it would take a couple of steamer trunks to get them all there.

[emilylovesyou]

Before I came, I got rid of half of my wardrobe and I STILL had over 2 suitcases of clothing left. I suggest you donate/sell anything that you can. Including shoes and other non-clothing items, I came with two suitcases. I wish I brought less.

You can definitely buy everything here, and shoes are super cheap and very cute. Don't bother bringing so many clothes and shoes, unless you are larger than a size L (most Korean stores only stock up to L and their clothes are often cut smaller for an Asian body). Don't bring furniture especially if you are getting an apartment from the school, as it will be furnished and anything more that you need you can buy for cheap.

Unless you are planning on making Korea a semi-permanent home (maybe staying for 3+years), don't bother with a lot of stuff.

[dharmasister]

[emilylovesyou]

WHBM and Ann Taylor are not in Korea, but Gap is. There are also a ton of small boutique-style shops. Unless you are shopping at the big brand names, everything is Korean style as this is Korea. For me I can't wear a lot of it since it's a lot of loose, drop waist, and frilly clothes. But women here are very concerned about their fashion and how they look at all times. They are always dressed "to the 9's" anywhere they go. For Korean women it's all about disposable clothes, so they can keep up with the current fashion trends. So again, don't bring a lot of stuff, especially if you plan on shopping. My advice is to limit yourself to TWO suitcases of clothing/shoe items. Just remember that if/when you go home, its just that much more to bring back.

Estee Lauder is available in most big department stores, but it's probably marked up from US prices.

Also, how do you already know that you want to stay long term? Have you visited Korea before? Have you been to Asia? Guam isn't like Korea.

[Sireno]

[Space Cowboy]

Back to the OP's original question: I know that the USPS eliminated the surface mail option a few years back, making their international services prohibitively expensive. Has anyone figured out a cheaper way around this? Can you get the surface option through DHL or UPS for a lower price? Specifically, I'm looking at a couple of 8-12 kg boxes that I would like to bring over.