Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wombatsincombat]

Hello everyone!

The FBI background check is being apostilled and things are about to be underway! We've waited what seems like FOREVER and now we're finally going to get to go live in Korea.

Here is what makes us special:

We are a Dad, a Mom, and a baby (6.5 months today). Mom and baby plan on staying home and we have had a VERY hard time finding schools to work with us! We wanted to be in a big city like Busan, but no one would let 3 people live in an itty studio and no one would give us an office-tel. So we have had to change our high hopes of a big city and set our eyes on rural Korea. I have been offered a job in Janheung, which is in Jeolloanam and have signed the initial contracts.

Are we crazy for going to rural korea?
What should we do to prepare ourselves for rural korea?
How should we prepare for living in Korea with a baby?!
We have no idea what we should leave at home and what we should pack.

ANY help is greatly appreciated! We are excited for the adventure, we would just like a few friends and a bit of advice!!!!

-
R,T,e

[ttompatz]

[wombatsincombat]

Thank you so much for your initial help! And if you have time I would appreciate any other advice you have to offer.

I will check with my recruiter about health insurance, that IS a big worry of ours.

I assume we will be able to find all of the baby "equipment" we will need. Mostly we are concerned about a high chair. Is it worth it to bring a stroller? We were really just considering getting a bike with a childs seat attached to it. Does that sound feasible?

The culture shock has us concerned, but like you said, since we have each other we at least have a built in support system. So its more like, what will make the shock easier? I will make sure she stocks up on all our spices and basics before leaving!

[carleverson]

Personally, as someone with a wife (she works) and 1 year old child living in a suburb of Seoul I think you're making a mistake in coming to Korea.

[wombatsincombat]

[SeoulNate]

Actually, IMO, living in the countryside would be better in your situation because of the costs. Raising a child and supporting a wife on a newbie's salary will not be a cakewalk and being outside of Seoul or Busan will give you a little extra leeway with your cash.

All of your baby equipment will be available here, but as a few others have said, it is more expensive here. You will need to befriend a Korean coworker immediately to help you order things online which can cut the costs down a bit.

Good luck!

[wombatsincombat]

Everything I have read it that we will be able to save a bit of money living in Korea. Babies eat very little, so that isnt a cost, and clothes are expensive, but kids dont need many clothes... And we dont eat out often... but it some people make it sound like we will save a grand every paycheck and some make is sound like we wont save a penny...

[carleverson]

Well some of my reasons involve economic issues and cultural/social issues.

First, living in a rural area is a bit tough without the use of a car. I know because I spent my first few years here in a very rural area. If you don't own a car you will have to walk or take public transportation (buses/taxis) everywhere which will be big hassle if you're traveling with your family. Owning a car is not usually that expensive for most people, but on a teacher's salary supporting a family of 3 it becomes a considerable expense. Prices for most things (except maybe housing) in rural areas aren't really cheaper in Korea. Food costs in Korea especially for fresh produce and meat are high and increasing. Kid's clothing? We bough a pair of shoes for our child last week and ended up paying 45,000 won for them! Fortunately, my wife gets health insurance for our child through her work. What kind of health care options are you thinking of for your child?

Second, Do you think your family can adjust to being stared at? Being the focus of unwanted attention?? I admit it's kind of nice at first, but after years of constant unwanted attention / stares it becomes a bit suffocating. Also, you will be in a rural area without many of the conveniences / amenities of more populated areas in a foreign country. Not many will be able to speak your language. I hope your ready to deal with this?

Just my humble opinion.

[wombatsincombat]

I think the least of our worries I transportation. We are ok with using buses and taxis and bikes... not only are we total homebodies, but we have an infant, so where will we need to go?

Secondly, we are early twenties and an infant. We are both college grads but people look at us like we star in teen mom. We just want somewhere pleasant and beautiful to raise a child and enjoy ou lives, maybe save some money.

[SeoulNate]

[madoka]

[carleverson]

[wombatsincombat]

I guess I should have stated that we are anti consumerists. We want to eat out to explore cultural normatives. Other than that? Yes. Dad goes to work, comes home to eat home cooked meals, and we watch tv to go to bed. We re lame. We are parents. Hear us roar? We don't want to maintain the same eating as in the US. We know we can't live exactly like koreans, but we want to try to acclimate to our surroundings. Our vanity expenses? Beer in the fridge. Maybe traveling to busan to visit friends every month. We like to take walks, we like to run. We want to liv e simply.

We just want to know how hard it was for folks with a baby. It'll be different, we know.

[eamo]

I wouldn't bring my wife and small baby to rural Korea. The quality of life wouldn't be so good.

Can you be sure the apartment you're going to is of good enough quality for your baby? The building standards in Korea can be pretty low. Poor heating. No wall insulation. Bad plumbing. Rattling windows with bad screens allowing lots of mosquitos in during the Summer and lots of heat out during the Winter.

Your wife might go stir-crazy in the apartment all day doing baby-care without a break. Maybe no English channels on TV. There will probably be absolutely nowhere of interest for her to go to except the same few grocery stores. No malls. No leisure facilities. If you're very lucky there will be a local park/playground. But that will get old pretty quick.

If I was you, before I'd ship my wife and young child to some foreign country, I'd go there first myself to check out the town, the neighborhood, the apartment and the workplace is like. Evaluate what the quality of life would be for all three members of your family.

[Fox]