Cost of Living in Korea

[beach9000]

Hi there,

I may be moving to Korea sometime soon and was wondering if anybody could compare the cost of living of Seoul to a Canadian city (Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, etc). I've been there a couple of times before so I understand kimbap and taxi costs, but this will be a permanent move and I'm sure there are things that I missed since I was a business tourist.

Thanks!

[synthia]

Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on your move.

[shrestha12]

depends upon the way u spend ur money . Priorities the needs first.

[simonandmartina]

I'm living in Korea now, and used to live in Toronto. As you know, taxis are pretty dirt cheap here, along with other forms of public transportation, compared to Toronto. Fruit is ridiculously overpriced. $18 for a Watermelon is absurd (though now it's cheaper)

I actually sent my father a flyer from Home Plus and asked him to compare the prices to another flyer from the same date. I plan on making a post about the specifics of what he found in price differences on my website, but for now all I can say is that everything is more expensive in grocery stores in Korea.

The apartments are pretty cheap here compared to Toronto apartments. The one I'm living in costs 600,000 won, while it would easily fetch $1200 in Toronto. Altogether it kinda balances itself out for prices, until you realize that you're not paying ridiculous Canadian taxes. Then you feel much better.

[donselma]

It will be much cheaper, though as I'm American, I'm actually comparing it to the States. I lived in a "koshiwon" for around 250,000 won a month (about 1,000 won equals a US dollar, so $250 more or less). I was back there in 2008 and prices have gone up dramatically, I think the rate for the same "koshiwon" was 400 or 450,000 won, but the previous poster is correct, apartments cost only about 2/3's what you might pay in North America. My good Korean friend, Lee, was renting a single room (essentially the basement of someone's apartment complex) for about 100 or 150,000 won a month. It actually included a small, but standard bathroom (hot water, shower, toilet) and conventional wood flooring, though there was no kitchen. This was this year when I saw him, not 2006 when I was living there.

That brings me to my final point. You will more than likely eat out every meal because of how cheap it is. A good meal at a Korean "kimpap" restuarant will be around 4,000 won. Most North American food is pretty expensive as one poster mentioned (even pasta is about 1,000 to 1,5000 won for a box), and since you won't know how to cook much of the Asian food, it is just easier and cheaper to eat out. I'll probably get chastised for this, but check out Dave's ESL cafe. Specifically, go to the "Living in Korea" forum at the Korean discussion board. Alternatively, I can put you in touch with my friend Lee. PM if you have any questions.