Chuck;

I should have mentioned the common mesurement of Real Estate is the "Pyeong" If my memory is correct it is 3.3 sq meters. That works out to 35.52 square feet = 1 Pyeong. A typical Korean apartment was 36 Pyeong or app. 1279 sq feet. The average apartments for foreigners was app 53 Pyeong. The largest I have heard of is 90 Pyeong or almost 3200 sq ft. This is insanity at the highest level. In fact these oversized apartments also foster a little animosity with some of the Koreans. An analogy could be made with the SUV owners in the states. It is really up to your style of living, and what you can afford.

Or how much the OHA can afford.

Chuck

Anyone know if Osan commanders and housing are letting military live off base? Do the dorms have to be 90% full? I heard this is cyclical. What's the climate on this subject right now?

Really suck having wife/family off base and I have to run home to my dorm before curfew each night.

Cheers,
Chuck

Chuck, they are allowing people to move off base. You may have to get an exception to policy letter if you don't meet the requirements. Bottom line, it will be up to your commander as it is the commander's that must sign the authorization to reside off base. Even if you meet all the requirements your commander and disapprove. So, start sending him or her gifts now!

__________________
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My email to 961 ACS Sq/CC will go out tomorrow (to inform of my plans...no gifts just yet). Signed with realtor today. Holy Poop, $13,500 closing costs!!! That includes realtor's commission of only 5% that she charges military (6% to civilians). We set a fairly low price to sell quickly. Realtor wants us to remove as much furniture, clutter from the house as possible. Have to rent a storage garage for the overflow. Not sure all this "house staging" is worth a sale that will gain no profit. I guess the idea is to sell so I don't have to make mortgage payments while at Osan. Now to sell two vehicles. Anyone want a new Ford pick-up? Stress levels increasing daily.

Cheers,
Chuck

Got my permission form the CC there to live off base. I just can't do anything (passports, visas, TMO) without a rip or orders. Time is ticking and no paperwork to show for it. I've been emailing AFPC all morning.

Cheers,
Chuck

Are the calls on your dime? If so, hope you are using a calling card. You can buy them on line or in a Walmart/Target.

I am not familiar with AF lingo or their processes. What is the CC? You should not require orders to apply for a Passport. You can usually go to any large Post Office and apply. Once you have the Passports you can Overnight them to the Korean Consulate.

Here is a web site with all the KC listed;
http://www.bestkoreajobs.com/UserDir/embassy.asp

You should call prior to sending and explain your situation.You should also follow up with a phone call the following day, to ensure they received it.

I WOULD BE VERY CAUTIOUS ON SENDING IT TO CHITOWN.
The Egyptian Consulate shares a common mailbox with them :-) We discovered this the hard way when my wife received a Visa to visit Egypt.

HTH

Some Air Force History. CC = Commander, VC used to equal Vice Commander until we got into combat 1965-1975 with the enemy called by the same two letters. So we changed it to CV. In the 1990's we changed the Vice Commader to a Deputy Commader and reversed the letters to confuse both us and the enemy, so the vice is now CD. But CC for Commander has stuck around for awhile.

You are right about the passports. We have offices here in Oklahoma City to get those. I don't need one because I'm military, but my family will each have to have them. I will do this ASAP, and then press onto the Visa's next.

My sponsor in Osan said he had his household goods shipped there Space-A and it took 2 months and one week to arrive. He said I might consider shipping household goods 1st class, and they might get there faster. I didn't know I had an option? Anyone have any experience with this?

Calling cards at Sam's clubs will cost you 3.4 cents per minute. I don't have long distance capability at home because that card is such a bargain.

Cheers,
Chuck

PS.
Hiker, thanks for the web page address.

This doesn't help with all of it, but as far as your passports and visas go, you can get those done without your orders. You can enter with just your Military ID and orders. Your wife and kids will need passports and visas, however. I know the military will provide the passports and visas(with orders), but I'm not sure if they will provide the service for non-command sponsored families. I also wouldn't trust them to get the passports and visas to you in a timely manner. It might be better to just go ahead and get the passports on your own. Your dependants visas can be obtained after their arrival in country. Just make sure they go through immigration separate from you (just to avoid confusion with the immigration official). They'll then get a 30 day tourism stamp. Sometime in the 30 days, you can get the appropriate visas from an immigration office in Seoul. There used to be an office here in Osan, but I heard they closed down operations a couple weeks ago.

Good to know about the tourism stamp. Had never heard of that before. I think I posted my previous post just a minute or two ahead of you, so yes, you are right about my not having to have one.

Thanks,
Cheers,
Chuck