Repatriate Me!

Well I’ve got a lot accomplished since the last update. Managed to find a three bedroom bungalow to rent without basement tenants – which is really great. The basement is partially finished and will do well for an office for me and a rec room once we’ve got it furnished. The house has a pretty big front lawn but the backyard which is larger is a mess. It’s just a bunch of weeds, packed mud and rocks. Can’t really do much with that and since it’s a rental, I’ll just do enough to make it bearable.

I also went to Ikea for the first time. I was underwhelmed with the experience, but did buy three things just because of the price. Got a TV stand, a rocker and a queen size bed frame. Assembly was not as difficult as I expected but it still bites. Have also purchased a second hand Ikea desk which I disassembled at the guys house and still have to assemble here. Should be fun, NOT.

Have also arranged for contents insurance on the house and purchased some household stuff like cleaning supplies, limited dishes, At this point there’s not much left that I can buy until my wife and kids arrive. Fortunately they arrive this coming Thursday.

Cost of Living

Some things that I’ve noticed about the cost of living.

Gas is cheap. I know Canadians complain about the cost of gas but it’s much cheaper than I was paying in Korea. Currently in Toronto it’s at $1.29 or 1419 won. When I last filled up gas was around 1900 won per liter or 1.73.

It’s cheaper to buy a 2 liter bottle of generic cola than it is to buy a 2l bottle of water in Toronto – wonder why there’s an obesity problem?

Milk is very expensive. 1litre of the cheapest milk I could find at walmart was over $3

adding 13% onto everything is a pain in the ass. Just bury the tax in the price, makes it easier.

It’s really difficult to eat, healthy good food for less than $10 plus tax and (potentially tip) – I could eat for 4500-7000won ($4.09 – $6.36) – no tip and no tax – at a good Korean restaurant in Seoul – very healthy and good food.

at the cheap restaurants in Canada you have to buy bottled water or cola. In Korea water is included with the meal.