Korean Job Discussion Forums

asmith · Joined: 18 Jun 2009

A lot of people who want to come to Korea seem to have their hearts only on Seoul. And I'm not sure if they realize what they are in for.

Seoul is a huge congested Asian city. It's filthy. The air is so dirty that in the summer, it will often irritate your eyes. Give them a mild burning sensation.

Seoul is crowded. I mean, really crowded. You can't even walk down the street without people bumping into you.

It's also expensive.

You can live anywhere in Korea and be a short train or bus ride from a large population center--where you will find everything you need.

Be careful what you wish for. Seoul ain't all that great.

Is it worth all that agitation just to be able to buy Cuban cigars or have an overpriced Thai dinner?

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

We like to think of Seoul as more than just for our birds, but if you love your birds so much, then maybe your opinion differs?

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd16/bassexpander/birds.jpg

BobbyOrr · Joined: 01 Jun 2009

There is some truth to this. There are many advantages living in Seoul, but there are times I wonder if a city this big is really for me. I do miss living in a smaller town.

I moved here about a month ago and it was larger based on reading things on this forum saying that you must go to Seoul.

Ukon · Joined: 29 Jan 2008

Silence Dogood · Joined: 09 Jul 2009

You blasphamer!!!!!! How could you dare say such horid things aout our lovely city!? It is not dirty, it is very clean. Have you not seen Deokguk palace or Gwanghwamun or City hall? There is no trash there. Seoul is a beautiful piece of work that should be a world heritage in and of itself because of the kind people and gorgeous archetecture that comprise of it.

If you want dirty cities, you should go to Osaka... now there's a filthy place. So many people and much more crowded than Seoul is. Seoul is to beauty as Korea is to lovely. Very Happy

우리나라 우리독도 우리땅!!!!!!!

asmith · Joined: 18 Jun 2009

Pwillig · Joined: 26 Jan 2009

weatherman · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: Korea

The birds are about the only thing worth looking at in Seoul. If it wasn't for the birds, the city would be horrid.

crossmr · Joined: 22 Nov 2008 Location: Hwayangdong, Seoul

I grew up in a village of 400 people, we had a gas station, which was also the store, and beside the funeral home. They were run by the same guy. He was also a bus driver. We had a post office.

I've had enough of small town living. Its a great place to visit or retire, but living there is boring as can be.

Silence Dogood · Joined: 09 Jul 2009

eIn07912 · Joined: 06 Dec 2008 Location: seoul

seoul is worth it for these reasons and in this order:

-cuban cigars

-plenty of k-girls that speak english

-itaewon

-wide range of food besides just korean food or pizza

(the air u can live with after enough time)

Ukon · Joined: 29 Jan 2008

BTW, Seoul is really clean if you live in a nice area...Mine is clean, has tons of trees, etc... Not dirty at all.

Unfortunately most foreigners live around itaewon which is a dump.

Really no different than anywhere back home.

thurst · Joined: 08 Apr 2009 Location: Seoul

i've yet to understand all of this "the air in seoul is so dirty" business, seems fine to me...but i'm from ny/nj so go figure =/

flakfizer · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 6:38 pm Post subject:

I've lived in Korea for about 13 of the past 15 years and all but one of those years was spent in Seoul. I can understand the OP's point, but if you're going to live in a decent sized city, you might as well pick Seoul. Yeah, Seoul is crowded, but my neighborhood isn't bad. If you live near a large park or the river, it is easy to find some space. Also, the subway system here means you can always avoid bad traffic.
I lived one year in Suwon and enjoyed it, but one year was enough. I wanted to move back to Seoul the next year. If you're just talking about hagwon jobs, yeah, perhaps you can do that anywhere, but if you want to teach at uni, there are just so many more opportunitie in Seoul and the pay is generally better which probably makes up for the price differential.

There are times I would like to live in a smaller town here just for the space and cleaner air and quiet, but I've grown accustomed to Seoul and I like my area pretty well.

P.S. It's good to see weatherman has his old avatar back.

fermentation · Joined: 22 Jun 2009

Seoul is far from my favorite place, but Seoul is so much better than any of the other dumps in Korea.