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How much money did you bring with you?
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Felix the Cat



Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Location: Medell�n

PostPosted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 1:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I had just over $2000 US, and didn't get paid for six weeks after arrival. I paced myself, and was running out just as my first pay arrived. My hagweon director paid for the plane ticket over, so I didn't have to be reimbursed for that.
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AaronLynch



Joined: 31 Mar 2010
Location: Jinhae

PostPosted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 3:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sheeet, hope that K lasts the month!
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aweitzm1



Joined: 23 Mar 2010
Location: Florida

PostPosted: Tue May 04, 2010 7:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Are people still bringing around 1 -2k? Is it possible to live for the first month in Seoul on 1k without a settlement allowance? I start teaching on the 12 so it will be a month before I get paid.
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aschmies



Joined: 30 Dec 2009

PostPosted: Mon May 24, 2010 7:04 am    Post subject: $$ Reply with quote

I intend to bring about $1500.. hopefully that will be enough, as i can be a very frugal person and live off ramen noodles (or their equivalent) for quite a while. Any thoughts on how much money i might spend on food in a month (if i'm frugal)
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aschmies



Joined: 30 Dec 2009

PostPosted: Mon May 24, 2010 7:05 am    Post subject: $$ Reply with quote

I intend to bring about $1500.. hopefully that will be enough, as i can be a very frugal person and live off ramen noodles (or their equivalent) for quite a while. Any thoughts on how much money i might spend on food in a month (if i'm frugal)?
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Yong-eul shin



Joined: 01 May 2009

PostPosted: Tue May 25, 2010 5:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I lived in Korea for about $400-500 on my first month. This is from eating at restaurants every day (seriously, you can eat like a king here for 4000-5000 Won), going to Busan every weekend, including my first weekend as an alternative to spending my day bored at an apartment that had no internet.
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klis



Joined: 22 May 2010

PostPosted: Wed May 26, 2010 3:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wow ! I remember when I first went to Korea. I was thinking about everything being set up and I did not have to bring money. However, I had a going away party and my family and friends gave me some monetary gifts. I was so lucky !! I had a good amount of money when I went. But My suggestion is to bring at least $500 USD with you . $1,000 at the very most. As long as you do not go to the NoRaeBANG every night and then go drinking at hongdae with friends in the first month. I would say it would be sufficient. I did drink every night for the first month and I went to the Noraebang but my friends and I all ate dinner together and we all shared food. Food and Alcohol what more can you ask for !
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UKsimon



Joined: 01 Nov 2009
Location: Incheon

PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 12:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Because of debts i have to pay right now, its looking like i will be going to Korea with a little over �300.

What start-up costs should i be aware of when coming to Korea?

Thanks.
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EddieH



Joined: 15 May 2010

PostPosted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 4:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I can't speak for any big cities, but I live waaay out in the boonies, and I brought only 300,000 won for my first month - I still had over 150,000 to deposit when I opened my bank account the following month. If you're not into constant nightlife/you live in a place where it isn't even an option, you can easily live on under 200-300,000 won a month. Even now, 4 months after arriving here, I've spent probably just over 1,000,000 (I also forgo a cell phone, etc.) but I understand that I'm not the typical case.
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sallymonster



Joined: 06 Feb 2010
Location: Seattle area

PostPosted: Tue Jun 08, 2010 7:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

UKsimon wrote:
What start-up costs should i be aware of when coming to Korea?


Let's put it this way, the airlines only let you take so much stuff with you without paying a bundle. . . so any necessities that you can't fit in the bags you're allotted you'll have to buy in Korea.

There's also the medical exam you have to get for your E-2 visa, which you have to pay for out of your own pocket.
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morrisonhotel



Joined: 18 Jul 2009
Location: Gyeonggi-do

PostPosted: Tue Jun 08, 2010 3:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

UKsimon wrote:
Because of debts i have to pay right now, its looking like i will be going to Korea with a little over �300.

What start-up costs should i be aware of when coming to Korea?

Thanks.


I brought 580. I spent about 400 the first month.

Sallymonster is right about the things with the flight (though my school paid for my medical).

I spent about 50 on stuff for my apartment (which was already nicely kitted out) on pots, pans, plates, toilet roll, cleaning stuff, etc.

I didn't get a phone until I received my ARC so that was an expense that waited until pay day (200,000won deposit).

The rest was spent on food, going out, travel expenses and three books on learning Korean (in that order of expenses). 300 is doable but don't expect to do huge amounts of socialising your first month.
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chellovek



Joined: 29 Feb 2008

PostPosted: Tue Jun 08, 2010 8:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

About 500 quid. Lasted over a month too, and that was with going at weekends too. I'm not sure what expensive tastes people have that they need to bring thousands, or can't wait until payday to buy stuff. It's just a month and it's not as if you're in darkest Africa roughing it.
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hamie



Joined: 27 Nov 2009
Location: The middle of nowhere Korea

PostPosted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 10:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My GF and I came with just $500 between us for the first month. It was tight and I hated the fact that noodles and eggs were our staple diet for one of those weeks... but it made us both very grateful for simple things.
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Skill



Joined: 06 Jul 2011
Location: London

PostPosted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 11:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

OK I know that it might sound like a stupid question.

Should I bring �1000 in British currency or should I get it in Korean Won.

I never carry that much money in my wallet and to be honest I feel pretty uncomfortable with the idea.

Would my Barclay's debit card suffice? (I don't use credit card and I don't care to have one), or does it have to be in cash?
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glassandshells



Joined: 12 Jun 2011

PostPosted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 2:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

i'm relieved to see that some people got by with $500 because that's all i'm going to have. i'm going to korea in hopes to make money because i don't have any. :/
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