Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Oldtimer]

If you've lived in both cities, please say which you prefer and why. I'm moving to Beijing to work in a few weeks and would just like your opinion on it in general. I have a friend who, like me, has lived in Seoul previously and now lives in Beijing - and he much prefers Seoul (prefers the food, prefers the people, and just says Seoul is nicer in general). Would appreciate more opinions.

[Milwaukiedave]

Well if you've never lived in either city it will be hard to compare them.

I have lived in both and much prefer Seoul. Some of it is that I have lived in Korea so long that I have become acculturated to the environment and can put up with even the small things that bug the hell out of me.

The advantages to Seoul:

-The air isn't that bad most of the time (aside from a few days in the late winter and early fall).

-Great public transportation

-People speak English a little but certainly better than in China

-Lots of western food is available in Korea and some online shopping is in English

The disadvantages to Seoul:

-The job market has not been particularly good for the past few years

-The cost of living has gone up and salaries have not been matching that.

-Koreans can sometimes be bloody rude

-Hagwons in particular can screw you over if you aren't careful

The advantages to Beijing:

-Cost of living is reasonable

-Transportation is decent if you are not too far outside the city

-Taxis are cheap

The disadvantages to Beijing:

-The air pollution is awful

-I wouldn't trust the fruits or vegetables there as they have been known to use sewer water for irrigation

-Your freedom of speech is more limited due to it being a communist country.

[Oldtimer]

[traveling_gypsy_tara]

Hello, I just spent three years in Beijing and am now in Korea, not Seoul but I think I could offer some insight.

Beijing:
1. save more money
2. cheaper cost of living
3. I enjoy the food, street food, all food more than Korean food. I think this is because there are many more regions that offer different flavors.
4. Transportation options
5. The history

Things I didn't like:
1. not an easy language to pick up
2. pollution
3. hard to get to nature for hiking and stuff
5. people, and more people and more people

Korea:
as I have not been here too long I can't offer exact things but overall I like it better here. There is a lot of green places and it's easy enough to get out in nature. The language is easier and I think the people are nicer. I don't enjoy the food as much, it's good, but I like Chinese food more. Transportation is ok but in Beijing, I had an electric scooter and was able to enjoy a greater sense of freedom. The cost of living is more expensive here in Korea and I can't save as much money. But I feel like in China people are hungry for more and so often don't take time to enjoy life. Here in Korea people seem more settled and willing to enjoy life. And using electronics is much easier in Korea.