Korean Job Discussion Forums

[btunnicliffe]

Hi

Trying to decide between teaching in Japan or Korea.
For money saving purposes Japan sounds really expensive, so I am leaning towards Korea, really want to go to Seoul because I have some contacts there. But looked up a few surveys as to most expensive cities in the world and Seoul is now right up there I see now. So just wondering for those who live in Seoul - is it really expensive??

thanks[/b]

[SuperFly]

They nickel and dime you to death.

[desultude]

I think these surveys are using a western "market basket" for means of comparison. If you want to live a western life-style, Korea can be expensive. Western consumables are very expensive in Korea- they are all imported. Western restaurants are very expensive.

I worked with people who saved a least $1000 a month and some who spent every penny they earned- at the same salary. The difference? Lifestyle.

You can earn and save good money in Korea. Many of us do and have. But, as in most places, saving in Korea means a little self discipline and self denial.

[jaganath69]

Many of the surveys you mention have western expatriate professionals in mind and calculates the cost of keeping them in a manner to which they would be accustomed in New York, London or Paris. I've heard of embassy staff here whose compound apartments top out at five grand a month and of course a visit to a western-style restaurant here is going to be pricey. By comparison, if you have free accomadation and live like a local as well as not having too much of a taste for imported things, you can live fairly cheaply. Even more so outside of Seoul.

[tigerbluekitty]

Yes, Seoul is more expensive than Tokyo and sometimes you may feel like you're living in a third world country. The quality of life in Tokyo is much better.

Transportation in Korea is cheaper though.

[Return Jones]

If you're going to make at least 2 million, you should be able to save half of it without much problem. With a conscious effort, you could easily save even more. As others said, it depends on how you want to live. Seoul is a bit more expensive than other areas, but I think the price premium in terms of overall amenities and atmosphere is more than worth it.

[Bibbitybop]

You must weigh amount of income with how much you spend in each city.

Seoul is expensive for families due to housing cost and education costs.

Factor that out and Seoul is cheaper, especially with what you will earn. Food in Tokyo is more expensive, but only slightly.

Tokyo is more diverse, more open and accepting of outsiders and more fun, but most people I know don't save anything in Tokyo. In Seoul, like others said, $1000 US a month is easy to save.

[Letiz7]

I'm currently spending around 8,000 won a day.

Mind you, I ride to school on my bike and the lunch is free.

Shop for food at markets and remember to turn off your gas when you go out!

[Gwangjuboy]

I reiterate what other posters have said; if you maintain the same lifestyle as you did back home Seoul is expensive. If you live like the majority of the locals Seoul is actually a fairly inexpensive city to live in. My hometown in the Midlands is considerabley more expensive than Seoul because I choose to live like a Korean here. Some people refer to apartments costing several million dollars in Samsung dong and Daechi dong but they overlook the fact that those apartments are beyond the reach of most Koreans and are almost exclusively owned by wealthy Korean businessmen and celebrities.

[Dev]

[normalcyispasse]

[sojourner1]

I find that most things cost about the same, regardless of where you're at in Korea not including housing and office space rents though that is irrelevant to us on E-2 visas.

Fruit, meat, vegetables, water, taxi, coffee, etc. all seem to have the same prices. I found that subway fare in Seoul is cheaper than Busans subway fare and cheaper than city bus rides in many smaller cities.

In how much it costs to live in Seoul or another part of Korea, it really depends on your lifestyle. I have seen teachers in small towns and rural areas live paycheck to paycheck, while I met others in Seoul who claim to save 1 million or more Won per month. I know a few other teachers who save, but spend it all going to their home countries during those 1 week vacations. Other teachers save up and go live in SEA or Sri Lanka as long as they can. It's very doable to save money here regardless of where you're at. I am in a medium sized city, staying home most of the time, and saving 1 million a month. Avoid ice bars, night clubs, and other shady joints if you want to hang onto your money. Food is what will really cost you here, but if you're a light eater or on a diet, then you can save more. It's easy to spend 400 to 500 Won a month at Homeplus and Emart on food to cook at home and not gain a pound due to it being very expensive.

I would say that food is the single expensive thing here regardless of where you're at as it's just as high in Jinju's Emart as in Seoul or Busan. Does it cost more to live in Seoul? Yes and no.

[The_Conservative]

[ajgeddes]

[tigerbluekitty]