Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Abby_Normul]

Hi, All. 28 y.o. female newbie here. I'm considering a position in the Jangji neighborhood of Songpa-gu in Seoul.

In terms of my location, I hope to be in close proximity to the following:

Well-equipped gym (free weights, weight machines, and full range of cardio equipment)
Coffee shops, cafes, bookstores
Western-style shopping, markets
Decent range of dining options
Cultural attractions, especially museums
Friendly ex-pat community


Nightlife isn't too important to me, but it might be nice for me to have the option of partaking of an adult beverage or two and listening to live music every now and then.

I would really appreciate any thoughts/information about what life is like in this area.

Thanks!

[CA-NA-DA-ABC]

define "close proximity." You want walking distance? 5 minute ride away? 10? 30?

[Abby_Normul]

Thanks. I should have been more specific. 10-15 minutes by bus or subway would be great.

[CA-NA-DA-ABC]

[Ruraljuror]

Is this offer with ai corea?

[Abby_Normul]

Thanks for your response, CA-NA-DA-ABC. Do you happen to know if Jangji-do is relatively well-maintained area throughout, or are some parts of it less desirable than others?

[Abby_Normul]

Hi, RuralJuror. Would you please tell me what you know about AI Corea? Thanks!

[Abby_Normul]

RuralJuror,

I forgot to add, please feel free to pm me. I haven't posted enough to send a pm myself. Thanks!

[Surfer Rosa]

Songpa-gu is nice and has all of the things you mentioned.

[Abby_Normul]

Thanks for your response, Surfer Rosa! Good to know I won't have to go far for a caffeine fix or an endorphin rush. The former to keep me awake, the latter to keep me sane.

[saram_]

Hi, All. 28 y.o. female newbie here. I'm considering a position in the Jangji neighborhood of Songpa-gu in Seoul.

In terms of my location, I hope to be in close proximity to the following:

Well-equipped gym (free weights, weight machines, and full range of cardio equipment)
Coffee shops, cafes, bookstores
Western-style shopping, markets
Decent range of dining options
Cultural attractions, especially museums
Friendly ex-pat community


Nightlife isn't too important to me, but it might be nice for me to have the option of partaking of an adult beverage or two and listening to live music every now and then.

I would really appreciate any thoughts/information about what life is like in this area.

Thanks!


Like some others said.. Songpa Gu is quite a nice and desirable location for a lot of people. The problem is Jangji is in the most southerly part of it. It is almost gyeonggi-do really so therefore I would not rush into getting posted there. Is the apt in Jangji too? If so, i wouldnt live there. Jangji is a very new set up and lacks lots of the basic needs of people. It did a year ago anyway. I did work there so I do have an idea about it... It is very limited in what it offers!

Getting to places like Gangnam, Itaewon or the like would take at least 40 mins!!

[fustiancorduroy]

I work near Jangji (actually I work a bit past it at the Army base). Compared to my neighborhood, Jangji's great.

Jangi has recently developed, so it is clean and littered with new apartments. It has a few (all Korean) restaurants, all the major banks, and a couple shopping marts. The biggest boon, though, is the Garden 5, which currently has a CGV and a cool water fountain show. Whenever Garden 5 fully opens, it will be the biggest mall in Korea and one of the biggest in the world. Even without it, Jangji's a quiet, though unspectacular, neighborhood with enough amenities to satisfy you on a daily basis.

Unlike me, you'll probably live near the subway, which makes the neighborhood itself less important. Jamsil and the Olympic Park are only about 10 minutes away on the train, and COEX is just 5 or so minutes beyond that. If you HAVE to go to Itaewon to have fun, it's a bit of a ride, but better than what I have to do (take the train to Jangji and then ride my bike or attempt to catch a cab to my 'hood; there's only one bus per hour, and the last one is at 9:50 pm). If your job is fine, I don't think you'll be too disappointed with Jangji.

[Abby_Normul]

Thanks for your responses, saram and fustiancorduroy!

[CA-NA-DA-ABC]

I think Jangji is a good place to start if you're new to Korea. Not too much hustle and bustle but still very close to the heart of Seoul.

Garden 5, Garak traditional market, Lotte World, COEX, Munjeong Rodeo Street are all nearby.

[Surfer Rosa]

What is Munjeong Rodeo Street?

I saw that on a sign the other day and wasn't sure. High-end shopping?