Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Funky Chunk]

Can anyone tell me about Seongbuk Gu? Dongsomun-Dong in particular? I've looked at Seongbuk's website, and did a search on it here, but any additional information and/or opinions would be appreciated.

[HapKi]

I believe it's mostly in the hills of Northern Seoul, with the blue #4 subway line running below it. It's a very wealthy area, as many ambassadors live there, as well as exclusive retreats, membership clubs, and so on. There are several universities nearby, including Kookmin, Sungshin, Hansung. Taxi's I've taken have gone through the area going from West to East Seoul, as the traffic isn't as bad as some other more popular routes.

Don't be confused. There is also a Seongbuk subway station, which is completely different

[Bibbitybop]

It's a nice place, but it isn't all high class like Hapki described. It does have rich areas, but there are plenty of working class people in that area.

[HapKi]

My problem is I don't exactly know where it begins and ends, but most of it's in the hills west of NaeBuSunWhaRo, right?

[Funky Chunk]

[Bibbitybop]

[sweetsheed36]

Hansung University is between Hyehwa and Sungshin Women's University stations on the #4 line... I looked at a map, and it seems that Dongsong dong is directly east of Dongsonro- the major road you'll see when you exit out of Sungshin Women's University Station.

If the school is in Dongsongmun dong, I would start from Sungshin, and then either get better directions from there, or go to the Seongbuk gu office (which also seems to be walking distance from sungshin stn.) and ask them...

[HapKi]

The blue subway line on this map is also a major route into/ out of downtown. Very congested during rush hour.

The affluent area I was talking about is actually Seongbuk DONG, that little peach colored area. Most everything else north of the subway/main road starts to be mountains. Hyehwa's a nice area (one of the most popular in Seoul), around Sungshin has a pedestrian shopping street and a lot of shops, further east are Lotte and Hyundai Dept stores. Overall not a bad place to live, even if congested.

[bassexpander]

We live in this area.

PM me for specific information. Seongbuk is a large gu.

There is actually an old Korean song about this area, noting the vast difference between the rich and the poor. It still holds true today. Mostly, North of the big road to Hyewha (mountain side) is rich. Below that, and up to the other mountain side shared opposite with Hyewha -- poor.

There is a lot of crime in the poor area. The rich side of the street has lots of nice, but highly expensive Kalbi and Chinese restaurants in traditional home settings. The poorer area has got tons and tons of chicken hofs and what I call 'fingerfood restaurants.' Those are the places with lots of unhealthy fried crap, odeng, squid, bread, or whatnot that isn't an actual meal. The area around Hansung University is like that, and it sucks to live near it. Also a lot of loud construction going on in that particular area (a friend lived next to blasting, and would literally be blasted out of bed at 8am daily).

The area around Sungshin Womens' University is better for restaurants, as is Hyewha, which is great. The Hansung area is old, old, old, and a place best to avoid living in, IMHO. You'd end up walking to one of the other two stations to find good restaurants.

The embassies are all way North up the mountain. It's a hike to get up there, but an interesting one. Some incredible homes hidden behind fences up there.

[adamantium]

[Bibbitybop]

Hyewha-dong and Myeongyung-dong (or part of it) are in Jongro-gu, not Seongbuk-gu, at least as far as the post office is concerned

The map posted seems to indicate that North of Gireum station is Seongbuk-gu, but somewhere near that area it turns in to Gangbuk-gu.

adamantium wrote

[adamantium]

Please let me know what a "decent" price sounds like in the Sungshin area. But are you ultimately saying that the Hansung University Station area is far more affordable?

[Bibbitybop]

[nobbyken]

Used to live there for 5 months, near Hansung Univ Station.
Nice area, plenty houses with gardens. This also means people can keep larger dogs, which were a nuisance at times.
Plenty places to eat, I can't remember seeing a Homeplus or an Emart, although I am probably wrong.

[Bibbitybop]