Korean Job Discussion Forums

Dev · Joined: 18 Apr 2006

A quiet city 1 hour from Seoul, Daejeon sounds like a paradise.
What does it have to offer?

Vancouver · Joined: 12 Dec 2006

that nazi bar i think. and a really nice subway system.

stevemcgarrett · Joined: 24 Mar 2006

Dev,

As one who worked in Daejeon in 1995 and again in 2005, let me say this:

First, it's 2.5 hours by bus from Inchon--not as close as you think. But it's on the fast rail line, which is 1 hour.

Second, despite it's hosting of the 2002 World Cup finals and official municipal pronouncements to the contrary, it's still very provincial, especially the mindset toward foreigners. This cuts both ways: on the one hand it's xenophobic, on the other you're pretty much avoided when you want to be, too.

It has six big universities, only one of which has national standing--the science institute. It has the largest foreign staff outside Seoul at WLI (Woosong Language Institute) and they're always hiring.

It's relatively quiet, tucked into hills to the east, south, and west with much cleaner air than Seoul and of course far less traffic congestion.

Some drawbacks: almost no hangouts for young expats, only three department stores of any note, limited Western food even at Costco and Lotte. Has two HomePlus, which are o.k. Good service but limited selection of veggies and meats. Few fast food chain outlets and almost no restaurants catering to Western tastes, and no Asian food outside Korean, of course. Just got a Krispy Kreme, though, and one Burger King in Lotte.

The police are useless, everyone speeds, and it has a red light district, albeit small. Typical for a city of 1 million.

Some expats stay there for 4 or 5 years but the turnover rate is still high from what my former colleagues tell me.

Known for low crime but this is changing. The area where most foreigners work and live is the city ghetto and there are reported sexual assaults, although I think all have been against Korean women.

Vancouver · Joined: 12 Dec 2006

my cousin works or worked at the Lotte cinema in daejeon. Lotte mall was pretty boring.

LUCRETIA · Joined: 20 Jun 2007

I stay in Daejeon and it's pretty dull. There's a few tired foreigner bars, other than that the shopping is lousy - clothes, groceries etc. If you have a bike or a car then there are some okay nature spots.

If you have a significant other and don't mind lots of quiet nights in/becoming basically family with the other foreign teachers then it might be just the thing.

I dont think its much fun...

newintown · Joined: 01 Jan 2007

sorry to hijack this post, but since i've got the attention of daejeonites could someone tell me 2 things:
1. how far the express bus terminal is from the ktx train station (by taxi)
2. how much the ktx from daejeon to busan costs
thanks

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

I lived in Daejon (known as Taejon when I lived there) for 4 1/2 years. It's more or less a standard Korean city. I lived in the northern part of the city where there are a lot of researchers from the large number of research institutes there. I thought it was pretty nice. Not so crowded. Decent air. I was not aware of any particular xenophobia, at least not any more than anywhere else in Korea.

I enjoyed hanging out in Koong Dong, the area between the national university and the science university.

safeblad · Joined: 17 Jul 2006

bump

due to an opening caused by some guy touching the kids i might be moving to daejeon very soon

two questions

1. Is it as bad as all that?
2. Where is the best place to live?

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

Typhoon · Joined: 29 May 2007 Location: Daejeon

I live in Daejeon. It all depends where you live. Some areas are pretty nice and cool. Others are not...like any city. If you are coming to work in a hagwon beware of the DFA. They are brutal and control most aspects of the hagwon world here. From more information on them do a search on Daejeon and you will find a lot of info.

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

Young FRANKenstein · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 4:09 pm Post subject:

contrarian · Joined: 20 Jan 2007 Location: Nearly in NK

There are at least 3 Outbacks in Daejeon. Both KTX lines run to Daejeon.

The Costco has great hotdogs, there was a Walmart but it shout down. There are movies and some decent parks. You can actually drive around there a lot easier than Seoul.

I like the place.

thesoothsayer · Joined: 26 Dec 2006

Peace and quiet.

Lots of cycling lanes around the city but probably not that many places to explore in the city itself.

Little or no traffic jams.

Check out http://www.socius.or.kr/ for some news and events in Daejeon.