Korean Job Discussion Forums

[huck]

http://money.cnn.com/2007/06/15/pf/most_expensive_cities/index.htm?cnn=yes

I thought this was surprising...I didn't realize it was so expensive to live here...But maybe that's considering housing prices, which don't really affect most of us.

[ajgeddes]

We already have this thread.

[badfish]

In Moscow, a luxury two-bedroom apartment will cost an expat $4,000 a month; a CD rings up at $24.83; one copy of an international daily newspaper is $6.30; and a fast-food hamburger meal totals $4.80.


fuuuuuuuuuucccck

[Scotticus]

[sojourner1]

Yea, the 21st century will bring a high cost of living to most places including those that are still cheap today. This may become a crisis of epic proportions when there is not enough of anything to go around due to dramaticly increasing human population and decreasing natural resources as a result of destructive activities. Prices will just march to unprecidented sky high figures without regard of what common people are paid for their work. In 1960, there was 3 billion people on Earth, while today the number is pushing 7 to 8 billion. The old 6 billion count is out of date already.

With increasing populations, demand for food, fuel, services, and housing will continue to furthur outstrip supply which will eventually lead to a meltdown where only the wealthy has the very things we all need and want; food, housing, healthcare, transportation, education, and luxories that allow us to enjoy life a little. Also companies that sell everything are becoming more and more capitalistic and are pushing for the highest prices they can possibly demand out of consumers. Economics will only get tougher as we get older, except for the few who will make big money later in their careers.

[m8888888]

Wow, that was depressing, sojourner1! Not that I think you're wrong, it's just really awful to think about.

There are different studies that say different cities are most expensive. On another one (one that I believe waaaaaay more than the one linked above), Moscow is the 26th most expensive city.
http://www.citymayors.com/economics/expensive_cities_eiu.html

[butlerian]

[DCJames]

I bought a big box of cereal the other day.

It cost almost 7,000 won.

[Yaya]

A friend of mine in Malaysia says now he can't believe he paid $10 for a watermelon in Seoul.

That said, Seoul is FAR from the third most expensive city in the world. I find Seoul cheaper than New York and Los Angeles. Now, the survey measured EXPATS, and I'm sure I could easily hook these expats up with less expensive digs if they asked me, but I'm sure their companies have lots of dough to play with, so why not go for the gold?

[cdninkorea]

[Yaya]

I'm also skeptical over doomsday predictions. Thomas Malthus wrote in the 60s about food production versus population growth, and was dead wrong in his predictions. I have a feeling that the global warming mongers could also follow the same fate (but please, I do NOT want to start a debate on this thread about global warning).

Of course, people are living longer so we'll have way more cases of elderly-related issues like Alzheimer's and the like.

Anyway, back to the topic, I think so many unemployed college grads wouldn't be coming to Seoul if the city was indeed so expensive.

[pkang0202]

Housing is the main reason why its so expensive in Seoul. The report is about Seoul. Bundang, Gimpo, Suwon, Ilsan, Etc...etc... are all close to Seoul but they are a part of Gyeonggi-do.

There are some cheaper places in Seoul to live, but the insane prices in Gangnam and other rich areas just tip the scale.

[rocklee]

Seoul isn't all that expensive, I'd say its comparable to Singapore (typical suburban living seems closer to Malaysia though).

Japan on the other hand...

[Gundy]

This report is written for International companies and governments to see how expensive a city is to send its workers too. Thus it only takes into account those things that are needed by an international business person. Things like a central condo, a car, dinner at expensive restaurants, the price of clothes bought at department stores. By these measures Seoul is one of the most expensive cities in they world.

Example a bottle of Vere Cliquot costs about $85-95 Canadian dollars in Seoul, it costs $50-60 in Calgary. Major brand clothes like DKNY, Gucci etc cost more in Seoul then most other places.

This is not counting things like some Don-Gass at the Kim bap jeung or no name clothes at Dongdaemun. Those things make Seoul seem cheap to North American cities because there really isn't a market culture in North America.

Is Seoul the third most expensive city for people living in business districts avoiding the locals and dropping $100,000 a year on clothes? Yes. Is it cheaper than western cities that force you into buying everything from major retailers with their extra staffing and advertising costs built into the products? It can be.

[DCJames]