Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ICAtlantis2]

Ahhhhh.....Please please help me with this one. After reading a million threads (which are mainly out of date), looking at maps, reading what people have to say, looking at where schools are, etc., I STILL cannot seem to settle on a location. I know it is wise to decide on a good school, but there are good and bad schools everywhere from what I gather.

For one, I am 50/50 when it comes to a big city or small city (I do not want rural). I do not mind cafes, noise, etc, and I also do not mind places that are a little more lax....but, I do want enough going on so I won't get depressed. I do like to drink, but I am 28, so I dont need to go crazy, but yes, I like a cold beer with friends.

That said, can anyone tell me where they think I should stay away from or places that are great.

What do you think of Chuncheon, Gwaungju, Ulsan, Sokcho, Andong, Donghae, or wherever you like??

Thanks so much for your help!

[DongtanTony]

People have different definitions of rural.

I'm from Maine originally...rural for me is a town with a population of less than 2,000.

The first city I worked in last year...Gumi...would be considered rural by many here. Gumi is "only" 500,000--600,000 people.

However...its proximity to Daegu...and its extensive foreigner community...made it a great place to be for my first year.

Great foreigner hangouts--http://www.waegookcook.com/

Plus...the foreigners aren't just all teachers. The industrial presence in that city brings in engineers and consultants from all over the world.

Paintball outings for the foreigners http://gumisurvival.com/

And...its relaxed enough where you can have some down-time and quiet weekends when you just want to climb a mountain where you won't be with 3,000 of your closest Korean friends.

This year...Dongtan.....a district of Hwaseong City...which is a suburb of Suwon...and within easy travel distance of Seoul. Proximity to the big cities when I need/want it. A quiet neighborhood where I can get to know the locals.

I also like Gwangju. I have some friends down there too...they're having a good time for sure.

Off the beaten path is a great way to start your stay here in Korea.

Good luck ICAtlantis2.

[ICAtlantis2]

Thank you for your suggestions........I am from Maine! I am here right now.....what part are you from? I am in Portland right now but am from Bluehill area

[DongtanTony]

Cheers to Cumberland county and the Old Port!!

I'm a Lewiston boy originally...graduated from little ol' Richmond...UMF for college...gotta love dem beavers...and lived and taught in the Augusta area for a while.

Cheers to you ICAtlantis2...get the hell out!!!

If you ever want some additional info...feel free to PM me...if you can't...let me know...I'll PM you an email address.

So yeah...you know exactly what I mean about rural vs. urban arguments.

Most any city you experience here will be triple Portland...if you hear a rural argument from another poster...take it with a grain of salt.

A lot of people would've considered Gumi a "rural area."

For me...500,000 people plus was urban enough for my liking.

Seoul's great...Busan and Daegu too....but getting off the beaten path has benefits of its own.

Anytime you need anything Mainah...you let me know!!!

[ICAtlantis2]

Nice! Yeah, I like it here but need to get abroad.

Do you know much about any of the places I listed? Yeah, I typically do not mind being in a rural area, but, I think that if I am in another country I don't want to push it. I believe their rural will be different from mine because, well, because it's a different culture, so I best be where there is enough to make me feel sane, ha.

[DongtanTony]

http://korea.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page

http://wiki.galbijim.com/Main_Page

These pages might help you find out a little more about those areas.

I've only been to Gwangju myself. Good sized city...check out Mike and Dave's for a decent foreigner bar with live music.

Good sized city...I want to say one million and change...I don't think over two million though. All of your basic amenities...and Jeolla province has some beautiful locations within striking distance. Check out Yeosu city for the summer months.

The rest of those places...sorry...I can't really help.

Andong hosts a special traditional mask festival every year...but I haven't had the opportunity to make that yet.

Sokcho is within range of Seoraksan mountain...a very popular hiking destination....again...for one reason or another...we haven't made it there yet either.

Ulsan will have some beaches....so will Donghae...but I don't have a clue about those areas otherwise. Ulsan is a fairly big city too...south-eastern area....we always went to Busan instead...when we lived in Gumi at least.

I hope some of that helps!!!

[maingman]

not in korea?

[dean_burrito]

Which Gwangju? I live in Gyonggido Gwangju. It's pretty small but only about 30 minutes from Dublin, a really great pub in Bundang.
Other than that you can drink at tables outside of the quick-e marts.

[jellobean]

Chuncheon isn't a bad city.... Great sports, mountains and other outdoors stuff... All the standard western stuff.... The foreigner community is a bit married, but the Koreans are really nice and speak surprisingly good English for a smaller city...

[DrunkenMaster]

Don't forget Cohiba's Rule