Korean Job Discussion Forums

nicam · Joined: 14 Jun 2008

So, I thought Seoul was going to be like Bangkok or Beijing. Filthy, seedy, smelly, and debaucherous. So, I went elsewhere. But it's actually clean, chic, cosmopolitan, and amazing!

Any other city people wish they would have gone there instead of whatever hick town they ended up in? I know it's not for everyone, but...

Underwaterbob · Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Location: In Cognito

BS.Dos. · Joined: 29 Mar 2007

Nope.

nicam · Joined: 14 Jun 2008

I am happy to be getting an authentic cultural experience, but I will certainly be looking forward to next year when I can move to Seoul.

Guess it depends on where you're from. Some friends I've made here are from small towns, and would never even consider living in Seoul. I am from New York, and my friends from London feel the same way I do.

endo · Joined: 14 Mar 2004 Location: Seoul...my home

I've lived in Seoul for a while now and I just couldn't imagine living anywhere else in Korea.

Perhaps Busan and maybe even Ilsan or Bundang.

If you're young, and looking to have fun, Seoul is the place to be.

maddog · Joined: 08 Dec 2005 Location: Daegu

Yup. Though I would hardly describe Seoul as clean.

Smee · Joined: 24 Dec 2004 Location: Jeollanam-do

nicam · Joined: 14 Jun 2008

Ha, culture DOES equal old people! And families. I work with a lot of young teachers at my PS, but I would say it's predominantly families and OLD Samsung worker guys where I live.

Funny...

Draz · Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Location: Land of Morning Clam

endo · Joined: 14 Mar 2004 Location: Seoul...my home

diver · Joined: 16 Jun 2003

I've livedin Seoul, and I really didn't like it at all. Just not for me I guess.

I love living in Daejeon. It's just the right size for my liking, it is in a great location for travel, and as time goes by we get most of the things that I used to have to go to Seoul for (mind you I am talking about things *I* want or need. Not every foreigner in Daejeon may feel the same way). Daejeon is also close enough to Seoul that I can get there quickly if I have to. I used t live in Bundang. I can get to downtown Seoul faster from Daejeon than I could from Bundang (though it does cost more).

What I would say about Seoul (and I don't think it is clean) is that there are an amazing amount of green areas. For a city with so many people packed into it, there are still a lot of cool little green areas to sit and chill out in.

aka Dave · Joined: 02 May 2008 Location: Down by the river

My priority is my job, which I love. I've been to Seoul. It has a few conveniences, but Korean cities to me seem pretty much the same. I don't go out drinking a lot, however, and I have a very basic diet of veggies/proteins that I prepare myself, so I'm definitely not looking for a taco bell. I'm *glad* there's not that crap in my neighborhood.

Btw I live in Cheong-Ju. Probably not a great city if you like Seoul. I lived in Paris, however. Paris is cosmopolitan. Seoul? Not so much.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Live in Bundang, work in rural Gwangju (Gyeonggi). Only a 30 minute commute to work or a 30 minute bus ride to Hannam, Seoul. I get the best of both worlds.

diver · Joined: 16 Jun 2003

ciccone_youth · Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Location: Japan

I love Seoul, I think it's pretty cosmopolitan- in the sense that you can find pretty much everything (variety of foods, shopping). There is a multitude of restaurants, bars and trendy cafes. I also agree that it's chic in some areas (try Apkujeong, Gangnam, etc.)

Clean? Not so much. The fancy areas are clean, but if you go anywhere else it's not.