Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nfarney]

Hi everyone--this is my first post here...just so you know.

My wife and I are planning to move to either Seoul or Tokyo to teach english (or math IN english in her case), and I need some advice.

My impression from the posts is that Japan is cooler lifestyle-wise than Korea, IF you can afford it. We figure that since there are two of us, we can have fun on one salary and save the other in either country--maybe saving more in Korea, but we will be able to save more in Japan than a single person would be able to. (Any insight from couples would be appreciated).

The problem is that I've never visited either place, and from doing research, Tokyo just seems so much cooler. I mean it seems more exotic, has narrower streets, highrises filled with only bars, more attractive culture, etc. After doing all this reading and then looking at Seoul, it just doesn't compare for me--but I've never been to either place. Pictures of the narrow market streets in Korea remind of Tijuana, while Tokyo makes me think of, well, Tokyo. (I'm just describing my impressions and asking to be set straight)

So my question is: Is seoul cool? Can you walk down the street outside most stations and see sushi shops, noodle shops, pachinko parlors, etc (or the Korean equivalent), and if you're close to downtown, old streets with skyscrapers like shinjuku towering over? Or is Seoul just kind of lame in comparison? Kind of like New Jersey compared to Manhattan?

Forgive my overly-romanticized descriptions, and please don't disillusion me at this early stage with cynicism if you can help it, but feel free to respond if you know what I'm trying to get across.

The other question is: My wife has her masters in math and teaching experience at the junior-college level (of math). Are there possibilities of teaching math IN english in either country?

Finally, is it realistic that as a couple we'll be more able to do stuff a couple times a week and also save one of our paychecks?

We're not into clubbing or getting wasted, but we like pubs and hanging out walking around cool neighborhoods and stuff like that.

Thanks.
Nathan in San Diego

[posco's trumpet]

[jvalmer]

Personally, I view Korea as still rapidly changing in both culture and economics. While Japan completed its economic and cultural transition 15-20 years ago. Japan is nice and stable and easier for most Westerners to handle. Even though Korea is developed and relatively well off, it is a country balancing between a disaster and another round of rapid economic growth. Can they continue their development or will Korea be knocked back into the 3rd world due to the North Korea factor? Personally, I prefer Korea over Japan. But, Japan is also a great place to live.

[indiercj]

From what you said on your post i think you would feel more comfortable in Japan. If you are looking for a "cooler" and a more sophisticated society you should definitely choose Tokyo over Seoul.

[Walter Mitty]

[nfarney]

Wow, thanks for the quick replies everybody. I'm kind of torn, because I know I would like Tokyo, but at the same time I lived in Portland OR for 4 years, which I always describe as "a big small town" and I liked it alot too. Of course, Portland had clean air and the biggest urban park in America was half a mile from my apartment....

Thanks again...

Nathan

[Tiger Beer]

Tokyo is cooler.. but I wouldn't equate Seoul with New Jersey. NJ is an industrial nightmare. Seoul is an actual world city and all of the best things that happen in this country happen in Seoul. However, that being said, Tokyo is cooler

Both of them are somewhat like NYC though in that everything is convenient, great subways, easy to get around, everything is very lively and happening. Still Tokyo is cooler though

If you are in NYC.. the best way to describe Seoul is to go to Flushing and walk around the KoreaTown there.. it looks alot like that actually.. but just spread that architecture and style and spread it all around NYC everywhere.. its something like that.

Tokyo sounds more like what you want from what you describe though.. they put extraordinarly efforts into making things very pleasant to look at.. its like going to Disneyland or something. Seoul is just a colloboration of basic practicality.. without any bells and whistles..

[Son Deureo!]

[FierceInvalid]