Headed to Korea non-command sponsored. Taking wife and kids anyway. I get very little household goods weight allowance. When I leave Korea, do I get my full JSTR (weight allowance)? Since I am not bringing much, I will have to buy cribs, high chairs, etc when I get there. Just like to know if I will have to sell everything I buy over there, before I leave.

Thanks,
Chuck

PS. Wife is extremely anxious about the trip. Any non-command sponsored spouses she could email to ease her mind?

Chuck,

You will get about 1,500 lbs going back. I think it was twice the weight I was allowed. You will also be allowed some unaccompanied baggage (800 lbs) I think. I just left Osan and lived off base and I was given about 1,500 lbs.

If you are going to live off base check out Korea Realty. They are just outside the gate and can help you find a place before you arrive even. Check out the Songtan home listings in the classifieds. Tell them Mike sent you and you may get a good deal.

As far as your wife, contact the Thrift Shop, there are a ton of spouses that work there. Here is their webpage with contact info. I built that page for them!

Also, check out the OsanGuide for more information and the classifieds for more items.

On the Osan Guide check out the "living off base" page to calculate how much you will make in VHA and COLA.

Good luck! Osan is a good assignment! Let us know if you need anything else.

Mike

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I have already been emailing Alex at Korea Realty. I found him and the Rosarium Apartments on your USFK classifieds. I'm also keeping an eye out for a cheap car. Thanks for the thrift store tip. Will look at there page.

Thanks,
Chuck

Chuck,

I know there is an officer and enlisted spouses clubs at Osan Air Base as well. Contact yor first shirt or ask your sponsor for more information. Also, check the services website and I believe they have job listings in their if you wife is planning on working (probably not since you have twins).

Mike

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Being non-command sponsored, we have a snowball's chance of getting daycare on base. We would love to find an english speaking daycare in Songtan (another snowball's chance) or hire an ah juma (more realistic). Going to work each day would be a vacation for her.

Chuck

Yes, you can get a Korean house keeper pretty easy, but finding on that speaks English will be dificult. In my experience most of the older ones speak very little Englsh.

Mike

Best bet would be to get into a large "foreigner" apartment complex where the spouses take turns giving each other a break by baby-sitting.

Chuck

That should be easy. I know that here in the ville at Camp Humphreys almost my entire company resides at Hyundai home town apts.

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Chuck,
This probably is none of my business. I assume you have been stationed in Korea before, you are an E-7 or above and are married to Korean national.

If not, nearly everything for noncommand sponsored dependents is space-available i.e, medical, dental, childcare. Only E-7s and above can own a vehicle (there are exceptions). Not to mention this move will be mostly on your dollar and it can be a substantial financial burden.

I am sure you have looked into all of this already. All the same, I wish you the best of luck with your assignment to Korea with your family.

Never been stationed there. My dad and brother have both been assigned to Korea (dad was in the war there). Brother married a Korean girl 20 years ago, so I know some of the lingo. I'm married to a Missouri girl. I am above an E-7. Space-A is different depending upon what you want. Daycare...no way. The hosptial, yes way... it was built to house a great many for when the northern hordes arrived. So they have more room/staff than you'd expect. All my friends who were stationed there said there Space-A wives/dependents saw a doctor faster than they did at their CONUS base. After OHA, Utility pay, and COLA, the amount is around $2,300 per month (with dependent rates). Will I still get the with dependent rate even though I am noncommand sponsored? If so, I think I can live off the economy with this amount tacked onto my base pay. I have looked into all of this. That's why I subscribed to a Korea Forum without written orders in hand? I was just told I am going to Korea. But I am a planner so I do my homework and will be prepared. I also have been looking at personal web pages of those who just arrived in Korea. Here is one such site. www.lebaige.com
Guy seems pretty homesick. That's another reason I'm bringing the family.

Thanks for the welcome.
Cheers,
Chuck