Korean Job Discussion Forums

Sk7992a · Joined: 25 Apr 2008 Location: Portland, OR

Hi I am possibly going to be heading to Dongtan for a teaching position. Can anybody tell me anything about the area and what its like? Thanks!

Otherside · Joined: 06 Sep 2007

Simply put. It sucks.

Atleast that was my take, and the opinion of my friends when I was there (I left 3 months ago, so its pretty recent.)

Dongtan is part of Hwaseong City, yet its a "new city", which is a nice way of saying it hasn't been built yet. Perhaps in a year or two it could be ok, but right now, its full of half built apartments and the apartments which are built have yet to recieve full occupancy. There aren't many facilities there, and the nightlife is dead. (The majority of people living in Dongtan are families...)

Best part about Dongtan is that its close to Suwon, and only an hour by bus to Seoul.

As a side note, most of the hagwons in Dongtan are very new (goes without saying, really) and the general consensus is to be very wary of a new Hagwon.

There are some other posters on this board, notably "DongtanTony" who have differing opinions of Dongtan, hopefully they will chip in and you can get a more balanced picture.

traveler81 · Joined: 18 Mar 2008 Location: Byeongjeom, Gyeonggi-do

I live in Byeongjeom and I work in Dongtan. I'll tell you the same thing I've heard others say and what I say as well. It all depends on what you're looking for. If you want to be in the middle-of-it-all, live in Seoul. If you want to live someplace quite and rural, get far away from Seoul. Dongtan/Byeongjeom/Hwaseong gives a mix of the two. You're close enough to the action so it's not an inconvenience or hardship to get into Seoul for a weekend. It's nice because you can relax in during the week without all the noise of the city.

Personally, I like it and will be living here for another year (renewing with my school in August--barring all hell breaking loose). I go into either Suwon and/or Seoul nearly every weekend without any difficulty. There's a bus 1550-1 that goes from Dongtan to Gangnam Station--takes about an hour and just a short cab ride to either Itaewon or Hongdae.

There's enough around to do--pool halls, cinemas, cheap eats, etc. And Suwon is only a short cab ride away as well.

My philosophy has always been to make the best out of a situation if you like most of it. If you don't really like where you live but you like your school, you make do. That sort of thing.

Hope this helps.

DongtanTony · Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Location: Bundang

I can't really chime in on this one...

It looks as though I'm recruiting the OP...

She has the contact info of my other eight teachers...

I'll let them do the talking for me this time...

DongtanTony · Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Location: Bundang

I am curious though traveler81...who do you work for??

If you facebook...check out the group "dongtanclan."

We've already booked our mudfest trip, hotel and train...we could book an additional room and train tix if you're interested...also if you have any buddies looking to book early...we can help you guys out.

I believe Joanne is hosting another house party at the end of the month...she's in World Bando II...in the 600's block of buildings...pot luck dinner, booze...that sort of thing.

A few of the guys get together in the Central Park basketball courts for pick up games on weekends...PM me...or get in touch with the facebook group if you're at all interested.

Cheers!!