Korean Job Discussion Forums

Lorilou · Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Location: Osan

I recieved a teaching job offer in Daegu, South Korea and will be moving there at the end of October (I haven't signed a contract yet). I'm a little nervous about the move for several reasons. I've heard mixed things about the cost of living. My apartment is provided for, and on top of that I'll be making around 2.2 mil won a month. I'm hoping to save up money for grad school, so how will I fair money-wise on this salary? Also, can anyone tell me what the expat situation it like in Daegu? Will I be able to find other english speaking people to hang out with? There is only one other english-speaking teacher in my school, and she's older, married and doesn't go out much. I don't want to spend every weekend by myself and having people to socialize with is important to me. Finally, my biggest concern is how easy it will be for an english-speaker with absolutely no knowledge of the korean language to navigate Daegu. I'm learning a few phrases now but will be far from fluent obviously. If anyone has been there and has any tips on adjusting to the culture barrier, I would desperately love to hear them!

Any other information anyone can tell me about S. Korea or Daegu in particular would be so helpful! Thanks!

Kibara · Joined: 07 Jun 2009

I'm in the same boat! I will be leaving for Daegu at the end of September. This is my first teaching job and my first time in Korea so I'm a bit nervous as well to say the least. I don't know anyone there, but from what I hear its a pretty cool city.

I would greatly appreciate any input as well Smile

verseinu · Joined: 25 Mar 2009

I am in a very similar situation. I'll probably be leaving next week (just waiting on a visa #) for Daegu so I don't have much (well any) info on what daegu is like first hand, but it sounds like life will be relatively easy as it is a large city.

these sites are pretty good for daegu info:

http://wiki.galbijim.com/Category:Daegu

http://www.thedaeguguide.com//forums/index.htm

jonah47 · Joined: 13 Aug 2009 Location: San Jose, CA

I spent the summer living there and in fact my wife is still there(she has numerous relatives living there). I am an older person so my view comes from that perspective. I describe the city as like living in San Francisco but no one speaks english. It is a large congested place and will seem very choatic and hectic at first. Personally I love urban environments so don't have a problem. The subway and bus system are very convienent and rather cheap. Buy a transit debit card and you get a discount. I lived by Apsan Park and rather liked it. Are your accomadations in a small villa or one of the 20 plus story condo's? There are many things to do and the hiking etc is wonderful. I would say there is a fairly small young American community. I could ramble on but go with an open mind and you will enjoy your time there.

Samurai Blur · Joined: 20 Aug 2009

I'm assuming that you are around my age (I'm 23) since you are talking about saving to go to grad school. Are you fresh out of college or have you been teaching for awhile or is this one of your first jobs.
I haven't taught in Korea, but I have stayed there (in Daegu) before during the winter of 07-08 (with a Korean girl I've been with for about three years. Daegu is the third largest city in Korea so there is plenty to see. You won't use the subway to go everywhere like you would in Seoul, but there is plenty of other public transportation. The cost of living there is pretty low. Food is cheap and entertainment isn't that much. There are PC rooms everywhere, and they normally cost about $1 an hour to use. All in all, it's not an expensive place to live, and you should be able to get by on 2.2 Million won pretty easily if you are planning to save. There are more people around that have much more experience with living on a budget in Korea than I. However, I can tell you that I went there for a vacation, did EVERYTHING I possibly could; tours, amusement parks, had pictures made, ate at nice restaurants, ate tons of Korean food, traveled to every city I could. This includes a few weeks of staying in Seoul with her family and buying them dinner a few times. I bought soda and coffee from the vending machines all the time, ate at the food stands. I mean, I ate so much food I had to go to the doctor for intestinal inflammation (which cost me a total of $15 for treatment and medicine, not to mention my wait was only 10 minutes, to get in). With paying for this, on top of transportation i.e. bus, subway, train, taxi, it cost me about $1,300 a month (exchange was about 950-1050 won=$1 USD back then)... oh and we went clothes shopping a few times in Seoul and I brought back some cool stuff. If you plan to live normal and try to save money, I would guess that you have no excuse for not being able to save half of what you make (if your school has provided living for you).

I hope that helped, and feel free to ask if you have anymore questions. I love to share my experiences with others. Good luck!

andrew · Joined: 30 Jan 2003

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oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

Daegu's fine. It used to be Koreas 3rd largest city - but now it's in decline. Walking around Daegu. it feels like a large country town.

Daegu is very, very conservative. I'm refused entry into nightclubs (too old) and my younger friends are also refused (no foreigners). Daegu people are nice - and used to 'foreigners'. They are much more laid back than the rude and busy K's up in Seoul.

Daegu has heaps of TEFL teachers and 2 army bases. There's a few foreigner bars and a foreigner restaurant called "Holy Grill". As usual in Korea, if you have problems here, it won't be with the town/city - it will be with your school.

Enjoy your time in Daegu.

Moldy Rutabaga · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Location: Ansan, Korea

I've only been in Daegu a few months, but it's a pleasant place to live. Wider and straighter roads than Busan and cleaner. Less hectic and crowded than Seoul, and the cost of living definitely cheaper. If you're prudent with your money you can have some good vacations and still save for grad school. The people are friendly here, and as there are a few universities here you will see a little bit of English spoken. It is intimidating for a newbie to see everything in Hangul, but the writing system is not difficult to learn, and many signs will be bilingual.

I'm a little old for it, but I know there's a foreigner scene in the city. Best of all, the city is on a KTX line, meaning that you can easily go to Seoul or a beach in Busan for a day trip.

Ken:>

crescent · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Location: yes.

No one speaks English here?? Really? Hilarious.
I've lived here on and off for 6 years. It's surely not anything like SanFransisco in any way, nor is it congested like one poster said above. It's definitely not noticeably hotter than other cities, as another person said and a quick look to climate charts will prove that.
Other myths: Deagu is famous for apples or beautiful women. Nope.

In short, ignore what people above have said. What matters most is that you have a good job. If your school is run well, and you have a nice place to live in, and your coworkers are cooperative, then you will be happy.

Daegu has all the conveniences of a large city, but it has a small town vibe. Yes, it's conservative, but that's not going to get you denied entry to clubs. It happens everywhere in Korea.
I think it's a beautiful city. I can escape the hustle in a few minutes by walking to the end of my street and into the mountains. There are nice parks and parkways everywhere. If you eat in Western based restaurants, people will speak English for sure.

The expat community is very tight, and there are a few hangouts that seem to be 90% foreigners. There is a Deagu group on Facebook if you're into that. Otherwise, look at some Daegu videos on Youtube.

Oh, and 'The Holy Grill' is an overpriced restaurant that tries to pass off dishes that are mostly sauce. Don't even get me started on the owner.

DAC · Joined: 14 Aug 2009 Location: South Korea

With an apartment that's paid for, and as long as you don't drink too much or too often, you should be able to save at least 1/2 of your salary each month, or more.

D.D. · Joined: 29 May 2008

Expats there are a bunch of drunks. If you like drinking it should be fun.

DrugstoreCowgirl · Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:43 pm Post subject:

I live in Daegu, Im in the north part of the city and it's pretty small, not many foreigners. I have a rice paddy down the street. But I'm a 15 minute walk to Home Plus and Costco is not far. It's about w11,000 to get to Daegu Station by taxi for me. Downtown Daegu is cool, and there are a number of expats here. Like someone else said, join some Dague groups on Facebook and you will fnd things to do.

I also like that the KTX has a stop here, makes traveling easier!