I have a quick few questions...the hammer just came down and they have NOW said we have to be in OSAN by JUNE 30!!!! Still NO hubby home from the desert so I am still trying to figure things out!
1. Do we bring our Washer/Dryer?

2. I heard something about setting up a phone service before I leave here (VONAGE)
3. I plan on shipping my car (Trail Blazer) does this sound okay to all my folks who know what is going on? Is it too big?
I have to meet with out bound assignment folks tomorrow so I wanted to atleast act like I knew what I am doing. haa haa haa!
Thxs again, Kim

Hi KIM!!

I am assuming you will be living on base since you will be CS. The towers are already equiped with washer/dryers so you will not need to ship yours. (Nice save on weight!! :) ) As for Vonage, they are starting to ban the service from base. They have been talking about it for awhile now, but they recently got it banned from 1 dorm....so I it won't be long before it's the whole base. Most of my friends that live in the towers just get local Korean phone service. As for calling back to the US, Skype is used by most. I HIGHLY recommend buying a phone number for a year for only $60! It's worth it!! Again, if you live on base, the trail blazer would be fine. If you live off base I wouldn't bring it though. The Korean parking spaces are TINY and your car WILL get scraped and dented. I hope this helps.

I have a 2004 Chevy Blazer and I live off base. I haven't had any problems. There are plently of SUVs here. Off base a lot of Korean families have the Kia and Hyundai SUVs, not too much in size difference than my Blazer. But you might get nicked by a door if they park too close to you. And on base the spots are plenty big. Although if you live on base you'll probably be walking everywhere. I'm looking forward to that when I get on base. If you have little ones bring a good stroller with sturdy wheels. I just ordered a Phil & Teds, everyone says they are the best.

I wouldn't recommend Vonage as that they are banning it. Yahoo and Skype are better options. I heard with Yahoo you get a US number. I am currently looking into that. I signed up for Skype but I need to get a headset or webcam.

If you live off base you can get a washer & dryer (American full size) and American oven from the housing office for free (provided you are command sponsered).

We have a Honda Odyssey minivan and haven't had any problems with it on or off base. I agree that Korean parking spaces are tiny but pretty much everyone with a large vehicle at our apt complex downtown just parks in 2 spaces (2 cars in 3 spaces) so it's not a big deal. And our car has yet to be hit/scratched.

One word of warning when driving off base, don't gun it at a green light. Koreans run red lights - usually a good 30 seconds after you get a green. The construction vehicles are the worst. And if you come up on a green light and no one in the intersection and no one in front of you, watch to make sure no one runs it. It happens all the time and as long as you expect it, you're fine. You get used to it pretty quickly though. I compare driving here to driving in Maryland except that Koreans are a bit nicer. The other thing you may run into if you drive on back roads and not main roads is that they'll park cars on both sides of the road leaving room for 1 car in between. Koreans are amazing - they know the dimensions of their vehicles like you wouldn't believe! They can squeeze through a space with only inches to spare. I prefer a few feet of clearance but I have yet to find a road I can't navigate.

Wow, that blows my mind to even picture. I think we will just ship the SUV. I rather just have what I am comfortable with and what I know is reliable and I will just take all my chances. Looks like I will have to be on my best with my driving skills!

Wow, that blows my mind to even picture. I think we will just ship the SUV. I rather just have what I am comfortable with and what I know is reliable and I will just take all my chances. Looks like I will have to be on my best with my driving skills!