Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jondepoer]

Hi folks,

I'd be interested in hearing from teachers who have taken the plunge and purchased a car in Korea. In retrospect, was it a waste of money, or did it allow you to raise your standard of living and maybe even save money?

I'm living in a very central officetel, and I get a fancy underground parking space included with my place. I have a Costco within a 15 min. drive, but only a couple of small rip-off markets nearby. I'm getting very tempted to pick up a "beater".

How do the costs break down? How much do you pay in maintenance, fuel, and insurance? Are there any other hidden costs one should be aware of?

I know this thread has been done before, but never with a poll. I want to get a consensus on whether a car in Korea is worth it or not.

Thanks!

[Louis VI]

A vehicle has served me well having lived in a farming town in a southern province and now in Seogwipo on Jeju.

In Seoul or other major city? I wouldn't bother because I don't like traffic jams and parking problems (not just home, specifically when out).

There is no saving money with having a car because Korean public transport anywhere in the country is so bloody cheap. But the quality of my life has improved immensely in recent years with my jeep. Zipping off to the coast for a swim, picnic or seaside walk is fast and easy and fun. I've been camping out more in the warmer half of the year and shopping farther afield. In fact, the worst thing about having a vehicle has been how easy and impulsive it is to drive to shops. THAT has been the real reason it has cost me money. Of course, I don't keep track of diesel expense because I decided when buying wheels that I wouldn't allow fuel expense ever factor into my driving destination decisions. And it hasn't. It's 80,000 won to fill and I do it once or twice a month, once a week when most active on the road.

If/when I move to Busan in a year or two, I'm debating whether to keep it for occasional use, as I certainly will find buses and taxis faster, easier and not much expense in a big city.

[jondepoer]

My situation and yours are quite different, and I'm sure you'd have an easier time justifying you purchase than I would.

It's my third contract here, however, and I'm getting sick of buying tickets everywhere I want to go. I recently drove Gwangju > Seoul and back - it was such an empowering experience after spending several years having to take a bus or train everywhere.

Maybe a scooter would do the trick - what do people think about having a scooter in Seoul?

[sendittheemail]

I'm not a teacher, but I've owned a car in Korea for around 5 years. I'd advise against it unless you live in the countryside. Not because of the costs involved but because:

1. Driving here is not very safe, despite how safe a driver YOU may be.
2. Parking situation at your place may be great, but in other places you'll want to go, parking is often horrendous.
3. Traffic jams are especially prevalent on weekends and happen at all hours. It's not surprising at all to be caught in gridlock at 1am in some parts of the city.
4. Communications barrier, if (when) you ever get involved in an accident of any type, your fault or not, will work against you.

If you decide to buy a car anyway:

Get the cheapest one you can with automatic transmission. Manual transmission will drive you NUTS in Seoul's gridlocked traffic jams. I say cheap because if you get anything that cost more than 1-2 million it will be EXTREMELY hard to sell when you are ready to leave Korea. Get the cheapest beater you can find and be prepared to sell it for almost nothing when you leave.

[ajuma]

I would say that if it's your first year in Korea and you live in a metro area, that you don't need a car. Getting around by public transportation is easy and fairly cheap.

However if it's your second year and/or you live in a smaller city, having a car will give you unimaginable freedom!!! No more lugging things back from HomePlus or Emart! You'll be able to go off the beaten track and find places that are difficult to get to by bus.

A couple of points: Insurance is a LOT cheaper than any you'll find in the States! With a Korean license and a small car (like a Matiz), you'll pay about $500 a year or less. True, gas/petrol is expensive, but SO worth it!

Driving: Everything you've read about driving in Korea is TRUE!!!! Korean drivers are NUTS!!! They pull out in front of you, never look where they're going and pretty much ignore traffic signals and speed limit signs.

My advice is to take it slow. Make your first few trips close to home...maybe even around the block!! Once you've gotten a handle on the way people drive here, you'll be fine! Even though drivers are nuts, it's the same kind of nuts every time, so you kind of get used to what's going to happen.

The BEST piece of advice: DRIVE DEFENSIVELY!!! The driver in front of you and to the right and left of you ARE going to do something stupid! Be prepared!

[WaveFunction1984]

Motorcycle > Car. I'd only go for a car if I have to lug stuff around regularly.

[ajuma]

[Who's Your Daddy?]