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rumdiary
Joined: 05 Jun 2006
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 Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 1:37 pm Post subject: Ilsan |
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| So can anyone tell me about Ilsan? How far is it from downtown Seoul? Is there an expat scene there or do I have to go into Seoul? What about movie theaters, grocery stores or Costco? Are there any good parks or outdoor areas? |
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rumdiary
Joined: 05 Jun 2006
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| Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 8:45 pm Post subject: |
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| anyone? |
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SeoulFinn
Joined: 27 Feb 2006
Location: 1h from Seoul
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| Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 12:29 am Post subject: |
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| "Use the search, Luke!" and "Use the google map, Luke!" |
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paquebot
Joined: 20 Jun 2007
Location: Northern Gyeonggi-do
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| Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 8:13 am Post subject: |
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Two people worth messaging, if you can send PMs:
Ilsanman
mts07
Also, for very general information (if you haven't already checked):
http://wiki.galbijim.com/Ilsan |
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caniff
Joined: 03 Feb 2004
Location: All over the map
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| Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 8:19 am Post subject: |
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I lived there for 4 years. It's on the Seoul subway line and has a ton of expats and a pretty good shopping and entertainment district (Lafesta).
If it wasn't for my business, I wouldn't have moved to Seoul proper (although here is good in its own way). Ilsan is a nice place to live, IMO. |
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chris_J2
Joined: 17 Apr 2006
Location: From Brisbane, Au.
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low-ting
Joined: 01 Sep 2007
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| Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 11:59 am Post subject: Re: Ilsan |
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| rumdiary wrote: |
| So can anyone tell me about Ilsan? How far is it from downtown Seoul? Is there an expat scene there or do I have to go into Seoul? What about movie theaters, grocery stores or Costco? Are there any good parks or outdoor areas? |
Ilsan is too far to get pissed casually in Seoul. I have been in Seoul for 6 months and am quite bored. I have found that the words 'expat' and 'scene' do not generally co-exist.
I think most of the problem stems from where you are from. If you are from a major city such as London or New York, you will find Seoul to be quite a lackluster place after a few months. But if you from a backwater in Arkansas then it may be OK.
In answer to your question I would not recommend anywhere but Seoul (was that the question?). Even Seoul is quite shit to be honest. Does anyone know where to get a decent burger in Hongdae at 4am? |
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Biblethumper
Joined: 15 Dec 2007
Location: Busan, Korea
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| Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 1:51 pm Post subject: Re: Ilsan |
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| rumdiary wrote: |
| So can anyone tell me about Ilsan? How far is it from downtown Seoul? Is there an expat scene there or do I have to go into Seoul? What about movie theaters, grocery stores or Costco? Are there any good parks or outdoor areas? |
There are many foreigners in Ilsan. (Also, I see that there are two churches with English services and even the Korean-only churches are very welcoming and accomodating to English-speakers.) Everything for day-to-day life is convenient there. Ilsan is a very recent and affluent area. Not far from downtown Seoul at all: an hour on the subway or bus. But the best part is the many parks and the nearby mountain of Bukansan with many trails. Also, Ilsan itself is built on the floodplain, so it is conveniently flat for rollerblading and bicycling. |
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caniff
Joined: 03 Feb 2004
Location: All over the map
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| Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 3:19 pm Post subject: Re: Ilsan |
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| Biblethumper wrote: |
| rumdiary wrote: |
| So can anyone tell me about Ilsan? How far is it from downtown Seoul? Is there an expat scene there or do I have to go into Seoul? What about movie theaters, grocery stores or Costco? Are there any good parks or outdoor areas? |
There are many foreigners in Ilsan. (Also, I see that there are two churches with English services and even the Korean-only churches are very welcoming and accomodating to English-speakers.) Everything for day-to-day life is convenient there. Ilsan is a very recent and affluent area. Not far from downtown Seoul at all: an hour on the subway or bus. But the best part is the many parks and the nearby mountain of Bukansan with many trails. Also, Ilsan itself is built on the floodplain, so it is conveniently flat for rollerblading and bicycling. |
I think it's closer than an hour, but whatever. And Bukansan is sort of nearby, but still requires a bus ride of maybe 35-40 minutes. Also, 'Ilsan' in Korean means "one mountain", as it is situated around Jeongbalsan (which is actually more of a big hill, but still provides good views of the area and has a free outdoor gym and stuff).
I'm getting homesick. I live in Hongdae now, but Ilsan is about 40 minutes away on the subway. I head back maybe every few weeks to see some of the people I have known since I have been in Korea.
It's no party central, but it is a modern, clean city with all the amenities most people would require. |
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