Korean Job Discussion Forums

kiwiboy_nz_99 · Joined: 05 Jul 2003 Location: ...Enlightenment...

I live in Seoul and i would never drive here. I value my health and I also don't want to get ripped off by the cops when I have an accident, as the foreigner is often made to pay.

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

This would be one of the only countries in the world where you DON'T need a car. The public transportation system is great, you can go anywhere and taxis are SOOO cheap and plentiful. It is the complete opposite to Australia. Koreans have a car more for prestige than practicality. I've lived here for nearly 2 years and I won't buy a car in the near future. Too many already and the traffic jams are a nightmare. Why would you want to add more stress to your life here???

dutchman · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: My backyard

Ryst Helmut · Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2003 4:15 am Post subject:

dutchman · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: My backyard

bjonothan · Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Location: All over the place

Just for the record......
Australia has about 20 mill.
More than any suburb in Seoul.....
Actually about the same as the greater city of Seoul....
And you should read things a bit better before you shoot your mouth off Mr. P!

Ryst Helmut · Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2003 7:45 am Post subject:

bjonothan · Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Location: All over the place

How do you interpret total population to ppsm???
For the record.....that would mean Melbourne and Sydney would have more people than Toronto as well......

Ryst Helmut · Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2003 8:14 am Post subject:

coolsage · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2003 9:42 am Post subject:

If you can come to terms with a place where people drive on the sidewalks and walk on the roads, where the the yellow lines and the red stoplights are only suggestions, not actually enforced traffic rules, if you understand that pedestrians have no rights at all, then you're welcome to it . Personally, I prefer to put my fate in the hands of of a taxi driver: these guys are the survivors of the motoring world in this land, and it's a cheap ride. Buckle up, and pray to your god, if you have one. All this prosperity has come at the expense of civility: a lot of bozos, not all, with their unknowing hands on big machines. I suppose that I'd have a more neutral view had I not been nearly crunched recently by some primate in a Bongo truck who turned the corner so tight that I had to throw myself against the fence to save my life. His response? Nada. He simply drove on, as obtuse as only Korean motorists can be, while I was picking leaves out of my clothes.

mithridates · Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2003 5:31 am Post subject:

I think Australia's is about 5, Canada's in 7, and Korea is somewhere around 300-something ppsm. However(as one Canadian historian put it), Canada is a long thin country like Chile that stretches up a few hundred miles north of the American border, and the rest is populated by northern workers, natives, and a few scientists and military people. Australia's mostly desert and similar to Canada in that way (not the amount of desert, the way people crowd into one area in spite of the size of their country).
Back to driving; I think you're damned either way if you live in Seoul. Taking the #2 line is just about as bad as sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Taking a car is more convenient but it's often slower than the subway which defeats the purpose. If you're in the country, by all means get a car.

happeningthang · Joined: 26 Apr 2003

bjonothan reckons....

"]Let me give you some advice..........
Compared to anywhere in Australia....
You are probably going to get worried.........
I am from Tasmania, but I have driven in all the major cities in Aus. and they don't even come close to Korea. If I were you, I would think about flying or getting a taxi. Koreans are the worst drivers and you are bound to have a problem after driving anywhere in Aus. I was a part-time taxi driver in a couple of cities in Aus. (Brisbane and in Tas.) and I get worried every time I am in a taxi here because they can't drive for *beep* and about 90% couldn't even pass a P plate test. Please don't drive!!!!!"

Wow!! so that's a no then? Wink

Yeah I hear you mate, I have no doubt that Korean driving is very different to Australian. Here at home there is a standard of care. We brake for pedestrians, and stop for people who cut us off rather than swerving onto footpaths to carry on our merry way. From everything you guys have posted it sounds like it's every wo/man for themselves....

Cool. Laughing

Not a problem, as long as it's someone else's car, I'm insured to the hilt, and no-one gets hurt. I'm not looking for trouble, but I'm not too fussed if I come across it, I'll be well prepared thanks to the advice you've all given.

But in any case it's all moot. I have to get to Donghae the same night I fly in (sigh) so it's the non-stop bus for me! But I'll be out in the sticks (I think) so I might see if I can get some wheels to escape the grind, and tour around aimlessly on the weekends.

Thanks for all the help people!

Cheers