False Starts and New Beginnings
Well, after a good deal of thought, we've decided to relocate to South Korea. My partner and I have been talking about it for years, but we never seriously considered it, until recently.
Like many Americans (or, at least those that have been paying attention), I was partially motivated by the re-election of DJT, and more importantly what that portends for our democratic republic. And while I readily admit to being a pessimist, things do not look great.
But there were more practical concerns. Chief among them: my partner wanted to be closer to family. Also, when we made our decision, I was in the midst of a long unemployment cycle and there was no clear sense of when I would be able to find stable employment, unlike previous cycles. While we were able to cover mortgage payments and other expenses during my partner's busy season, things would get more difficult once her busy season ended.
We talked about what it might be like to cohabitate with eomeoni (my mother-in-law), since finding an apartment on our income was not going to be realistic, at least not for the foreseeable future. Assuming that arrangement would work for everyone, my partner ran through the numbers, and came to the conclusion that life in South Korea would be more affordable. Health insurance is cheaper, exchanges rates are favorable, and the cost of food and transportation are generally more affordable (although how long that will last, who knows…). Plus, if we could sell our house, that would give us a significant financial buffer while I search for employment.
Shortly after my partner's busy season ended, I somehow managed to land an offer for a fully remote Senior Software Engineer position in the US. It was a bit of a downgrade salary-wise compared to my last role, but it was an exciting opportunity, and it seemed to be a great fit. Even so, we decided to move forward with our plans to relocate. Though I was unsure if I could make it work with my new employer, having some income to finance our move in the interim was definitely going to help, so I decided to take the offer. Two months later… well, suffice it to say, it didn't end up working out.
Obviously this came as a disappointment, since I worked very hard to search for my new job, and I was finally starting to get my footing and contribute meaningfully. Plus, the job market for software engineers seems to be getting more competitive by the day, not just in the US but also in South Korea. But, such is life, I guess. Time to start thinking about the next thing.
I only have a vague idea about what that "next thing" is, and I am not entirely sure what's in store for me and my family as we start our new life in South Korea. My feelings on this big life change contain a mixture of apprehension, excitement, sadness, but also—dare I say—optimism.