Korean Job Discussion Forums

[SharkDiver]

I was just wondering if anyone lived (has lived) in Ansan and if so how far out of the way is it? Compared to say Suwon.

[Mr Crowley]

I have lived in Ansan, and am now living in Suwon. I found the pollution in Ansan is much more worse there. The pollution comes from the industries in Ansan. Line 4 takes you right into the middle of Seoul in about an hour.

[bombenhagen]

The smog sux and the subway ride is a pain if you plan on spending a lot of time in Seoul. It isn't a horrible place to live but there are much nicer parts of Seoul to find work in.

[Otherside]

I've spent a bit of time in Ansan (and I live in Suwon).

Ansan is marginally closer to Seoul than Suwon (depending where you are of course). I didn't notice the pollution there...but then again perhaps MR. Crowly was working/living closer to the factories.

Basically, Ansan was one of the "new" cities designed to help people move out of Seoul (20 odd years ago). This means, it has no inherent charm or history, and looks just like any other anonymous urban part of Korea. Pretty much everything is available there (that's available outside of Seoul) and it has a good subway access to line 1/4 and good bus service into West Seoul. It's also a bit closer to Incheon airport than most of Gyeonggi which is nice.

If you've been to Bundang, think Bundang...just a lot more blue collar.

[SharkDiver]

Thanks for that. I take it Bundang is also a lot / somewhat closer to Seoul?

[Otherside]

[Mr Crowley]

I lived not far from Gojan station for a year, and the worst part for me was the officetel I lived in. The loud nightowls I had as neighbors.

[demel]

I live in Ansan. Quite cleaner than Suwon is my impression. Quiet, lots of parks, Lotte Mart and Home Plus close to my apartment. AND friendly locals. This might have something to do with a very progressive city government.

Haven't noticed the pollution much, and if you look at the map, Ansan is actually one of the few suburbs of Seoul which is NOT surrounded by mountains. We're just a couple of km's from the open sea. Ansan is windy and colder than Seoul because of this. The implications for air quality are also good.

I'd rather be living here than in Seoul, all things considered.

[dhalgren17]

I currently live in Ansan as well, near Sangoksu Station. I'm not sure about Seoul but the pollution where I live is very noticeable. The locals seem ok but absolutely no one in my area speaks English. Home Plus and Lotte Mart are easy to get to on bus #22.
dhalgren17

[Pepper Fan]

I've been to Ansan a few times and it's decent, I wouldn't say it's noticeably better, or worse, then the other cities around Seoul. The only advantage is that the ocean is quite close...