PLEASE READ THE BLOG AND THEN CAST YOUR VOTE ON THE POLL TO THE RIGHT!
It seems like everyday Jake and I are pondering the future because it is so undecided. It is exciting to have many options, but overwhelming. We could use some valuable input from those we love. The details are long so feel free to scan or just cast your vote if you don't care about the specifics.
STAY AT OUR CURRENT JOB
Due to limited vacation, this would probably involve us only returning to the US for about a week in the beginning of June and would not allow us to relax and see everyone. Jake would likely just go to Portland while I went to Illinois. That is the major negative.
On the upside, we are both feeling comfortable in our job now. We pay loans, live well, have great hours (3-9) and friendly coworkers/boss. We have decent apartments and have acquired many goods to ease our day to day living like a couch. It would be a pain to relocate because start-up usually costs about a $1,000. Daejeon itself is not an overly thrilling place to live, but our lifestyle is positive. We have lazy mornings everyday to read, exercise, and relax; something we can never get from an 8-5 job. We hang out with colleagues a lot and we are close to a university area with entertainment. On weekends, we are able to escape to nearby cities or travel when we have longer breaks. However, while Jake and I are content in Korea, we do feel like we have seen enough to move on for the right opportunity.
MOVE TO A JOB IN SEOUL
This option would allow a solid month in the states for all the weddings, hooplah, and visits to both PDX and Chicago. While detrimental to savings, this is definitely a draw as we miss our friends and family dearly. We could really use a visit, especially if we are returning for a year. Seoul would also give us more access to the expat community of Korea and events on a daily basis. But, we risk the chance of disliking our job, coworkers, etc... We also lose all of our acquired goods and would need to re-buy many things.
CHANGE COUNTRIES
Japan is another alluring country. The initial salary is higher, but the cost of living is expensive. There are less perks as you pay for part of your apartment and airfare though. We figure that it may be harder to save as much, but we could budget and experience a new culture/city/scene. This would help make another year eventful and memorable.
RETURN HOME
Being able to see friends and family regularly is undoubtedly appealing. It seems hard that you lose touch with people you care about, miss babies growing up, life events, etc. The unstable job market is worrisome though. I'm sure I could manage to find a teaching job, but it may take time and be extra frustrating. Jake doesn't have a job at the ballroom as they are fully staffed so he would be starting from scratch too. I'm sure we would make it, but it may be a financial struggle for a bit and we would likely blow any savings we have. Namely because our combined loans are $1000 a month anyways. Eventually, we will have to face these odds regardless. We do need to have jobs with retirement funds and think about the long term as well. Not to mention, a home, puppy, and family are desirable down the road. This leaves home attractive, but daunting.
OKAY, THAT IS MOST OF THE DIRT. CAST YOUR VOTE AND HELP US SEE YOUR VIEWPOINT!
Stay - we're "funny"! Obviously family and friends would love to see you as much as you would like to see them. However, in the broad ssshhhkeem of things, 2 years really isn't that huge when calculating 80 years. Plus, one huge reason why Jesse and I are staying is to pay off all of those pesky living expenses that we aquired while living Stateside. On the other hand, you both probably have a better opportunity of obtaining jobs than we do, so your future in the States looks a little brighter than ours. But, I don't think you can deny - sometimes being country folk sure can be fun! Especially if you get a scooter *wink wink* Plus, I don't think you'll find a roof like ours in Seoul...okay, maybe you would, but that's besides the point.
ReplyDeletei voted for you for you to stay, but i'd also be ok with you joining the crew of the Battlestar Galactica. (just so you know I'm not being completely biased.)
ReplyDeleteps. Yo Kim! i don't think you actually voted in the poll. also, you should send each of your webkinz to vote as well.
We would love to have you home, but the job and economics here are still sketchy. With that said, Erin, why don't you see about a job option-search from the comfort of a job. Jake, you have the skills in food service to live-work anywhere. Personally, I would stay somewhere outside the country for another year or so. Whatever you decide, you always have a place with us. Love, Mom
ReplyDeleteI vote Seoul. I am most likely going back in March :)
ReplyDeleteStay where you are. Daejohn is a nice town, and your group is nice. Don't mess with a good thing. If I were in your situation I wouldn't leave. The money is good and the living expenses are sooo cheap. You don't have to pay for your two apartments. Korea is nice compared to other countries, it is put together but not expensive. You have weekends off, which is very nice. Limited vacation sucks, but you save more money for the future and pay bills off faster. 2 yrs may seem like a long time and you may miss your family, but what you are doing now will set you up for the rest of your lives. Have a bit of patience and enjoy the good fortune that you have. The grass is not always greener on the other side.
ReplyDeleteBrendan
Come home or go to Japan/Seoul where ever you can get a month home first. A year isn't long in a life time but in a year many things will happen with your family and friends, won't be able to get that time back. However after reading bdan, I can see the wisdom. This is something you'll probably never do again. On the other hand if you want the white picket fence, jobs, animals, 401K. the "ameican dream" there is no time like the present. But then again the "dream" will be wherever you and Jake are together. Just here to help! Love you both, megan
ReplyDeleteI would stay there or Soul, not coming home.
ReplyDeleteI know you miss your family but while you and your parents are healthy and you don't have commitments such as children, enjoy other cultures!
2 years of your life is short and would give you a great experience and lots of memories.
I have been away from my family for a long time and I enjoy living in another country.
I would be inclined to say stay overseas . The job market in the USA sucks . If you want a longer visit consider finding a new job overseas . I would not worry about 401k,s or such right now , you are still young and unemployment doesn,t have any perks . Be happy . love uncle Bob
ReplyDeleteP.S. If you stay another year, we'll probably make the journey over..love ya much, Mom
ReplyDeleteThis is a very hard decision. I say you list the pros and cons out on paper just like how we picked Michigan State during our college visits. Once we wrote them all down your choice was so clear. It will help you prioritize. I am also inclined to say I would eliminate coming home as an option due to the terrible job market, lackluster economy. I am tempted to say stay where you are, realize a good thing when you got it but I hate the idea that you will only be able to come home for 1 week and each of you only get to visit 1 city and can not go to the weddings together. That sucks. So I guess my vote is try a new adventure , a new city while you are young and do not have kids, pets, ect. I agree you have plenty of time for all that 401 k & mortgage payments.I love the idea of you both having a month off for stateside visits !! Enjoy being young and having so many choices. You are blessed. Love Mum
ReplyDeleteHello Hello HI HI HI!!! I vote that you guys take the opportunity where you are able to come home for a month. I know you said it would put a dent into your savings but I think it would be refreshing to come back for visiting, weddings, etc while you have the chance. (Especially the weddings-once in a lifetime) Take the opportunity to stay abroad another year, wherever that may be, because this is probably the last time you will be able to do something like this, the long term stuff you mentioned will all fall into place later. Hope this helps! Lots of love, Malone xoxo
ReplyDeleteIn Japan you'll save squat. It really is more expensive than people think. Only Danish people think that it isn't so bad, but they have a cradle-to-grave socialist society. US$36 to do five loads of laundry. US$3 for three stalks of celery (yeah, stopped putting celery in my beef stew.) I lived in Tokyo for 6 years so I have a rough idea; to have any chance at saving money don't live in Tokyo Metro, Osaka Metro, or Nagoya. Anywhere else should be able to give your wallet a breather--Fukuoka maybe?
ReplyDeleteIf you go to Seoul, stay for two years. A big city really needs a couple of years at least; the best stuff happens after you've lived a year. And move all your stuff-it's not that expensive.