Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mediano tzu]

I know that there are plenty of threads already dedicated to the pros and cons of Korean cities, but I also noticed that often there is little in the way of a description about what the prospective teacher is looking for in a town. For my part, I am a pretty quiet person, very interested in culture and not too interested in drinking, although I do go out once in a while. I like the convenience of cities: restaurants, museums, book stores, etc., but I also like greenspace and scenery. I want to live somewhere that I can eat Thai or Indian food, but also spend a relaxing day writing in a park or plaza. I'd prefer less pollution (therefore I've all but ruled Seoul out) and while I am used to the extremes of a continental climate, like most people I am most comfortable between 50 and 80 degrees farenheit. I am not real big on swimming, and I don't like fighting crowds.

Yeah, I know that I'm obviously going to be making concessions, but based on the above, and your own impressions about Busan and Daegu, which do you think would suit a person of this description more overall? I know Busan is crowded and polluted, but is Daegu really much less crowded and polluted? I know there is less to do in Daegu in terms of shopping, culture, etc., but how much less? I know that Busan has a much nicer climate, but how unbearable is the heat and cold of Daegu?

Incidentally, I've also been offered positions in Jeonju, Bucheon, Bundang and Seoul, so if you think any of those places sound like a good environment for a person fitting the above description, please say so. You can even rank them if you're really feeling generous/ambitious. (No I don't really expect you to do that).

Thanks!

[Niagara]

Sooo...you say you don't like crowds and you like wide-open parks and nice things like that. While there are some parks in Korean cities, from my experience, they're generally crowded at all times, except in the winter. I live in Daegu and have been to Busan. I'd say each city has its advantages. Daegu is closer to other destinations like Seoul, while Busan has a beach and a bigger nightlife, shopping district and probably better dining. I've only been here for 5 months, but really the only difference I can find between Busan and Daegu is the beach. Korean cities are remarkably similar. I was in Seoul and it didn't seem much more crowded than Daegu's downtown on a Saturday afternoon, but then again, I did get on the subway at 1 a.m. New Year's Eve and thought I was going to die.
So, in conclusion to this rambling post, if you don't like crowds, Korea is not the place to be. I'd pick Daegu myself though.

[mediano tzu]

Thanks for the feedback Niagara. Haha, I guess it is pretty out of the question to find a "wide-open" park, eh? I have to tell you that I suspected that was true, although I bet I might be able to find my own spot somewhere in the middle of a Jeonju mountainside (I might not be able to get to it, however). In any case, no worries about me, I will get along fine in any city, as I can deal with just about anything, including dense crowds. It's just that, you know. I'm wondering who has (relatively) less dense crowds.

[kat2]

I think crowds would depend on what part of hte city you are in. In Busan, Seomyeon or Haeundae Beach (during the summer) are crazy crowded. However, I live about 5minutes from Haeundae Beach and my area is not crowded at all. Haeundae New Town isn't crowded either. I would just check the areas that you get offers in (both in Daegu and Busan) on here or koreabridge.com or any other site like these. Personally, I prefer Busan ebcause its on the ocean and has a lot more dining on offer.
Also, Daegu is freaking hot in summer and freaking cold in winter (which is why it has the best apples in the country). The big advantage to Daegu is of course, the COSTCO. We Busanites have to drive two hours one way to shop at food mecca.

[silvertoes]

Yet again with this 'Daegu is SOoooooo hot/cold' thing. People who DON'T live and have never lived in Daegu make it sound like it's alternately The Seventh Level of Hell or The Ice Hotel here, just because someone told them that once / they read it on Dave's. It simply isn't so.

In fact, we've had a milder winter than Seoul so far. The last week has been like April during the daytime. The most vile winter day I ever experienced in Korea was in Busan. Yeah, Daegu's humid in summer, but no more so than I found Cheongju or Seoul to be when I lived there (plus there's this thing you might have heard of, called air conditioning ...)

I like trips to Busan but prefer the shopping in Daegu (we have the same stuff and it's all in one area).

I recommend the Jisan-dong / Beommul-dong area of Daegu - cosmopolitan comforts but closely surrounded by mountains; away from the downtown rush but just 20 minutes away by bus.

[mediano tzu]

Here's one for those who live in Busan: do you ever go to Japan for a weekend? You're just a ferry ride away, right? Is there any reason that wouldn't be a nice mini-vacation (other than if you don't like Japan, I suppose). It seems like that would be a nice perk of living in Busan to me, but maybe there is something I don't know about the logistics of such a thing, because I haven't seen anyone bring that up on these forums before.

[chronicpride]

[mediano tzu]

4-3 so far . . .not as definitive as I had hoped. Although 4 people have voted for Busan, only 1 has offered a written opinion on the subject. I'd love to get some more opinions on this . . .

[Pak Yu Man]

You have to choose Daegu on location alone. If you are in {usan and you are into cultural stuff, then you have to travel pretty far to get anywhere.
Daegu is centralized. Less travel required. Plus, everyone knows that daegu girls are the hottest.

[FUBAR]

Location: Daegu: closer to Seoul and other Northern Locations
Busan: easier to get out of the country, with Gimhae being close by.

Transportation: Both cities have good public transportation. Subways, Trains, Buses, Taxis. Since Busan is a little more spread out, prepare to take the subway or bus, unless you feel like forking over $10 each way to get from place to place. In Daegu it's about 50% cheaper to get around since it's more compact.

Ammenities: Both cities have most of the stuff you need, though Daegu has a Costco. If you like Western Food, that is a huge plus. Busan has better restaurants. I think the Shopping in Busan is also much better with Seomyeon, PNU, Nampodong and Haeundae hosting a collection of stores and shopping malls. Daegu has some shopping complexes Dong Sung Roh and also near Dong Ah Shopping Center, but not quite as many

Culture/Nature: Busan has Beomosa, UN Park, 4 Beaches (Haeundae, Song Jeong, Gwanganli, DaDaegPo), Democracy Park, Bexco and a few others. Daegu has Opera House, ExCo, Palgong Mt. Donghwasa, World Cup Stadium.

Sports/Entertainment: Both places have Baseball, Basketball and Soccer Teams. The nightlife is more active in Busan but more spread out. Lots of Movie Theaters in both cities.

Weather: Not a big deal to be honest. Daegu gets pretty windy at times and that can be a pain in the butt at times. It's not that different from Busan, though it can be a few degrees colder in the winter and few degrees warmer in the summer. Busan's air feels a little fresher than Daegu's due to the water being nearby. Storms are worse in Busan, since it's on the coast. But the weather factor should be negligible.


Basically it comes down to this: Busan has everything that Daegu has, minus Costco. However it's more spread out: ALOT more spread out. If you don't like crowded places, stay out of the big cities. They are all crowded.

[sadsac]

Not having lived in either, but visiting both regularly, I much prefer Daegu. Less crowded, just as much to do as in Busan, but without the traffic headaches and pollution.

[Sister Ray]

Busan has the beach!

Haeundae beach is great. I miss strolling along the boardwalk there.

I sometimes consider moving back to Busan just for the beach.

Never been to Daegu. But it has no beach and it isn't Seoul therefore I wouldn't want to live there.

[twg]

Should I return to Korea after visiting home this summer, I'm thinking Busan simply because I'm tired of mountains out my window.

[Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida]

Busan! When I worked in Daegu I couldn't wait to jump on the next KTX train and arrive at Busan Station.

[dalpengi]

This is really hard. I like both cities.

As it has been pointed out, everything you need can be found in a relatively compact part of Daegu, which minimises travel time. However, after while you might get tired of seeing the same walls. While getting around Busan takes more time, that's part of the attraction as well. You can go to different parts of the city and still have a good time (if/when you get tired of your usual hangout).

It�s about two hours drive from Busan to Daegu, so if you felt like doing Seoul during the weekend, it means four more hours on the road (total) if you choose Busan.

No, I can't say which I like better.

Btw, Bucheon and Bundang are for all purposes suburbs of Seoul. I don't think you would particularly enjoy Seoul and do avoid Bucheon but Bundang is fairly new might provide you with reasonably pleasant environment in which to live while still being only subway ride away from the positives Seoul has to offer.

Don't know about Jeonju but the location is not the best and it's not a big city.