Korean Job Discussion Forums

[hatter]

I was in Seoul for a couple weekend visits and am returning this summer for summer camp, but I will be teaching in Jochiwon. What neighborhoods are best to stay in? We are young...late twenties...and want to be near shopping and night life.

Last year we stayed in Itaewon...big mistake in my opinion.

Thoughts on Dongdaemun? Most hotels that pop up are near the stadium. How close is that to the East Gate? Any other suggestions? What is the area called near Seoul Station?

Thanks.

[IncognitoHFX]

Yes, I have a suggestion. Depends on who you're going with though.

I spent the night in Seoul over the weekend and stayed at a Gingibahn (Sp? I don't know the hangul for it).

They're all over the place, they cost around $7 (7000 WON) per night. The one we went too was three stories underground, and pretty close to the nightlife/downtown districts. It had a movie theatre, four saunas, hot tubs, computer rooms, video game rooms and a cafeteria.

They're extremely cheap and the only drawback is that you have to wear special clothes going in (they'll supply you) and you have to sleep in a giant room with about 100 other people on a foam mattress/pillow. But if you're cool with that, they're so great! Very comfortable, very quiet... not sketchy at all, there were actually a lot of families there. No drunkenness from what I've heard either (but you can buy alcohol).

Also, there are either no foreigners in these places or very few. They haven't really caught on with the foreigners yet, I don't really know why. I loved it!

Anyway, thats my recommendation. Ask a cabbie for a "Gingibahn" and they'll know what you're talking about. They're all pretty clean I hear and I had an amazing sleep there.

[Bibbitybop]

Jimjilbangs are good for the price, but if you have two people, why not get a room at a yeogwan for 25,000-30,000. You get your own room, fridge, bed, air con, water, juice, condoms and a soft core porn channel. I stay in them all the time, most are kept well. They are all over Dongdaemun. If you go to Dongdaemun Stadium station, go to exit 13. Walk up the road, away from the stadium, in between Hello Apm and Fashion TV. You'll take a left on your second alley, there are some cheap yeogwans there in the middle of little Russia.

But you can get a yeogwan anywhere and take the subway or cabs around Seoul for cheap. Hongdae is a fun area, so is Gangnam, so find a yeogwan a few stops away, it's cheaper, and it up the fun times.