Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
to. The range of imported goods on local shelves has surged over the past few years, but
prices are very high.
Unless you're moving to a massive house and your employer is kind enough to pick up
your shipping costs, it's probably best to leave most of your furniture in your home country.
Many apartments are already partially furnished, and even those that aren't are unlikely to
have enough space for most of the items in an average North American or European home.
There's also a wide variety of furniture and appliances available locally at good prices.
Instead, devote your packing space to things with sentimental value or that are harder to
come by here. Your needs will obviously vary, but here are a few suggestions:
• Foods: Western spices and condiments such as gravy mix, pickles, hot sauces, and Mar-
mite, all of which are hard to find or are extremely expensive. Baby food is available
here, but if you or your children are attached to a particular brand, you may want to
bring a supply.
• Clothing: Men have less trouble, but women with a non-Asian physique should bring
plenty of pants and undergarments in their sizes. Shoes and socks also tend to be on the
small side for men and for women, so you may want to pack a few pairs.
• Books: Supply is less of an issue now with so many topic vendors shipping internationally,
but English-language books, particularly children's books, are limited and expensive,
so bring as many as you can.
• For kids: favorite DVDs, toys, stationery supplies, board games, and clothing. Most of
these things can be found here but are often overpriced and perhaps not in the variety
you or your child will like.
• Toiletries: preferred cosmetics, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, and tampons. Many
Western brands are only available at specialty shops in Seoul and are very expensive.
• Pharmaceuticals: Most varieties of medication can be found here, but bring a few months'
worth of prescription medication if possible so you don't have to worry about it while
you're settling in. Many expatriates aren't satisfied with the local versions of birth con-
trol (condoms and pills), multivitamins, or herbal supplements, so pack your own.
South Korea is a major producer of electronics, so it's no surprise there's a wide variety
available here, although ironically prices for locally made goods are often higher than they
are in Canada or the United States. Imported brands are very expensive. About the only
thing you may want to consider bringing would be computers, since it can be difficult and
pricey to buy a machine with an English-language operating system. Most new DVD play-
