Hi, My name is EvaLena. I am a proud mom to three girls. Madyson is 4, Rylee is 2 and Abygail is 11 months. We just go CS orders to Yongsan and report in August.

I have lots and lots of questions seeing that this will be our fisrt PCS.
If anyone can help I would really appreciate it.

1. What type of housing should we except? DH is an E-4. Is on post or off better?

2. Is there alot of activies for smaller children?

3. Should we consider bring our POV which is a mini-van. If not how do we get around. i really worried about public transporation with three little ones and DH maybe getting deployed.

4. Is there any Moms groups for playdates or such in the area. I am a very active mom and love to get involved in things like this.

There is a Yahoo group for those with younger kids. It is called the Yongsan Playgroups. You might want to sign up for it.

If you opt to live on base, you will be offered something in Hannam Village in the only high rise they have open. IF you go to the army housing onestop site, you can access the housing plans.

There are shuttle buses that regularly go to base (and to the main play areas for the kids). Hannam Village is actually a couple of miles (at most; I've walked it a couple of times) down the road from the base in it's own little compound and sports a small commissary.

I've been here for almost 6 weeks now and it was my first PCS too. We don't have kids yet, but are considering working on that shortly. :)

We could have sent a POV, but given how the people around here drive, I'm glad we didn't. I've been told that reliable used vehicles can be bought cheaply and we are looking at doing that.

Well, you might and I mean "might" be able to get into one of the low rises in Hannam that has 4 bedrooms since you have more than 2 kids. You may have to push for it but yeah you will more than likely be offerd I building. However, the low rises have no elevators. I live in one of them and we live in the second story townhomes. The buildings are 4 stories with 2 story town homes. At least I building has elevators, it's 15 stories I think.
I honestly would suggest living on post so you won't feel isolated because at least in Hannam there are LOTS of moms with small kids and parks to play in. Hannam has it's own small commissary and they offer home delivery of your groceries but of course you do the shopping, they'll bring it home for you especially having small kids it's a big help and it helps since I have 44 stairs to climb, LOL!. Hannam also has it's own gym, library and church. I love it here!

Hello EvaLena
we have a 6 & 4 yr old girls and a 18 mo boy.

I'm AF weather E5 and will be at Yongsan in Sep '08. Through our research here and other websites, we're leaning towards getting a apartment off post. Chances are we'll find a nicer place than the hannam tower.

I agree with Navgirl. Having the military community close with so many other moms and kids may come in handy. Seems like my wife has to be constantly communicating with someone. We will definitely consider hannam village IF we have one of the low rises offered to us. Wishful thinking I guess

We're currently thinking about bringing our '03 TrailBlazer-extended, over to Korea. It's not too wide, but pretty long.....
anyone else have any advice on bringing this vehicle?

__________________

IF you get authorization to ship a vehicle to Korea, and IF you get permission to drive as an E-5, the following may apply.

Only my opinion, but if that '03 Trailblazer is worth much on the market I would try to sell it there now; you could save a LOT by not having that payment. Used cars are very reasonable here, and will suck less fuel. Another savings.
A vehicle that large or long will be a nightmare to park if you live off post.
If I had a big vehicle I would sell it at a loss and write it off now, as gas is not going to go down, and narrow roads and parking in Korea are not getting better anytime soon. If you come without that debt, you will thank me later.

If you have kids you can do part time day care with the CDC. it's not too bad and the price is low. If you get a job and are both working you can get full day care.

In fact you could even get a job with CYS, they are alway looking for people. It don't pay much but it gives you something to do for a few hours a day.