Hey all!

I am new to this forum and have been enjoying reading the message boards. This is my first post.

I am thinking about possibly moving to Korea in the near future. One of the things I am taking into consideration is the cost of living in Korea? Can someone maybe point me to a good site or info that may have something on that?

Also, what does the average, civilian Korean make over there? That would help me gauge if I will be living in the poor house or not. I heard Koreans make an average of 25-30 million won? Is that the average? IS that barely making it or comfortable?

I might be moving to the Songtan area, if that helps gage the cost of lving thingy. Anyone know the average median income of Koreans?

Thanks all...and thanks to any responses.

Welcome! We have a lot of smart people regarding Korea right here.

The World Fact book suggests Koreans make about $19,000 a year. This will jump up or down (higher if you are in Seoul or Busan and lower if you are in the small cities). I would say it is closer to $12,000 depending on who you talk to. Most of the Koreans I know make about $1,000 - $1,500 a month.

You can live just fine in Songtan for about $400 - $500 a month for a 1-2 bedroom place. I paid $1,100 for a large 3 bedroom. Check out the Classifieds just below my post. You can find cars and apartments. If you are moving to Songtan, Korea Realty is excellent.

Are you going to be a English teacher?

Mike

__________________
YesAsia.com Ebay Store!

Visit USFK Classifieds, the FREE classifieds in Korea!

Mike,

Thanks for the info! That helps me kinda get a grip on what to expect. So if it is around $19,000 the cost of living must be lower, generally, than American cost of living. Like you said, Seoul would be higher I suspect. According to what you quoted, those prices for an apartment as fairly cheap! Are they western style? Whats the avg. sq. ft. size? tiny? Oh, and when you say a 3 bedroom apt went to $1,100 do you mean a month or 6 months or a year? I suspect monthly, right? I was wondering cause I hear that sometimes the landlord wants all money for the entire year upfront.

Where is that? I don't see it under your post?

Btw, yes, I am planning on doing some teaching work. Am very excited!

Anyways...thanks....and Merry Christmas!

Hey btw ---- is it legal for an American civilian to have a personal handgun while in Korea? Does Korea have the right to bear arms or the right to own a gun laws like we do here in the States? Curious....

You don't see the "USFK Classifieds" banner? Here is the link.

The Koreans call it key money, whwn you pay for 1 year. From what I understand, you pay a huge lump sum and get most if not all of your money back at the end of the year. The landlord makes money of the interest.

The apartments may be a little smaller than in the U.S., but mine was a good size. There is an Songtan apartment listing in the classifieds as well and you can see about a dozen apartments with pics. There is a link to the classifieds througout the forum. To the right and in the navigation bar as well.

I am pretty sure you can not bring a gun into the country and keep it in your apartment. I don't know anyone that owned a gun in Korea as a foreigner.

__________________
YesAsia.com Ebay Store!

Visit USFK Classifieds, the FREE classifieds in Korea!

Firearms Are Strictly Forbidden And If You Are Going To Teach, You Should Have An E-2 Visa And A Signed Contract Before Coming Over Here. Recently, They Are Cracking Down On Teachers Without Proper Credentials... I Am A Teacher And Have Been Here For 4 Years...

__________________
DAN BURESS

Btw, I Make Almost 25,000 Per Year And The School District Supplies My Apartment...

__________________
DAN BURESS

How are u ! Hey man ?
Own a gun is illegal in South Korea.
Korea not Gun's culture like America.
Korea is very safe. so, the Gun is unnecessary. Ok man ?
If you have the gun entering, the airport police will check up about you.
And then the police computer database will keep a record about you.
I working as Computer engineer at Airport.
Korea is very small, so we can very easy find everything.
all A government agency's computer database is connected to the Network.
I did that work. so I very well know.

BIGD & shsong21 --- thanks for the posts and info.

BIGD --- So what does that above quote mean? Whats the context? Is that good or bad (25,000)? Are you living comfortably? Are you barely saving money? Are the Koreans around you making that much? Are you considered well off? I hope I dont sound nosey or too inquisitive, but I am asking those questions since I am still over here and considering going over there. I am just trying to be sure I am not trapped into something that will be almost "slave" wages (even for an average Korean living there) because I had no point of reference for gauging what is considered acceptable and good. :)

Here in the States, the poverty level of the average family is around $20,000. Whats considered middle avg is around $43,000. And people doing $60,000 + are doing pretty good but still middle class. People over $100,000 + are well off. Always depending on where you live of course. So you see, when you say you doing $25,000 I am not sure what that means OVER there, only of what that would look like over here. So thats why I am bombarding you with the extra questions for clarification.

I hope this doesnt annoy you too much.

MERRY CHRISTMAS all....and thanks for all the help! This has been useful.

What is comfortable to someone is not to another.

English teachers in Korea typically make $2,000 a month and have their housing paid for. So, if the average Korean is making $12,000 - $18,000 and still must pay rent, you will be very well off making $24,000 a year. Here are some tips and hints.

1. Food is very cheap! Going shopping for food is much cheaper in Korea. I bought a 4 pound bag of fruit for $2 out of the back of a truck. Even eating out is pretty cheap. My average lunch cost me $3-$4 when I ate at a restaurant away from the military bases.

2. Cars are very cheap. I paid $800 for my car and it lasted me a year with just a few problems. If you have $2,000 for a car you can get a very nice one that will last several years and be above average (for a used car).

3. Crime is almost non-existent in Korea.

4. Korean people are some of the friendliest people in the world. I have been to over a dozen countries now and Koreans are fantastic and rate in the top 3 for me.

5. Driving in Korea is very dangerous. Most likely you will take a train or bus to work, or walk if you live close to the school.

6. Korean food is very healthy. Most Koreans are not over weight because their diet is mostly meat and vegetables.

7. Koreans have excellent English grammar, but can't speak very well. In my experience they are very shy and lack confidence.

Here is one of my favorite sites with excellent info on what is good and bad in Korea.

http://gikorea.net

Check out the first few links.

Mike

__________________
YesAsia.com Ebay Store!

Visit USFK Classifieds, the FREE classifieds in Korea!

Mike Is Pretty Much Right On.... Private Instituion (hagwon) Teaching Can Vary A Lot, Depending On The Owner... If You Teach For The Government School System, You Will Peobably Be Treated Much Fairer And Be Paid More For Less Work. I Have 14 Class Hours Per Week And I Get $2000... I Also Get My 3 Bedroom Apt. Free. If You Are Not A Big Partier, You Can Save At Least Half Of Your Income Without A Problem...

__________________
DAN BURESS