Korean Job Discussion Forums

[oftenadrift]

Hi all

I just accepted a position in Pohang and although I've visited there before (in 2005), I didn't really do much more than eyeball the beach.

Does anyone know any expat hangouts there? Popular areas? How is the downtown? Do they have a Wal-Mart or any good place to buy foreign goods?

I already ran a search of the boards and didn't come up with much, so any info would be much appreciated.

[Goku]

Err.... I have some friends in Pohang...

They go to Daegu for fun.

Pohang has great fish though. AWSOME villas, and some amazing scenery.

Sorry I can't be of more help. Someone will elaborate I'm sure.

[xingyiman]

[oftenadrift]

Thanks for the replies so far. To xingyiman, Pohang kind of sounds a bit like some of the other Korean cities I've lived in, so the isolation thing isn't a huge deal - its easy enough to get on a bus and find a semblance of civilization

As for the the racism/staring/comments - been there, done that. I've long ago learned to just ignore it and now consider it part of the 'Korea Sparkling' package.

I already have my share of Korean friends, so if need be, I'll just head into Seoul for breaks (and supplies). As for other foreigners, I'm sure I can root out some activity buddies if need be. (Thanks for the military note though, had fun avoiding that back in Daegu).

I may pop into Mindy's to see how things are (can you provide directions? That would be great). I got over the partying stage years ago, so I am mostly just looking for another girl or two to hang out with (you know, shopping, going to chick flicks my boyfriend votes out of etc).

On that note, my boyfriend is coming with me, so we're not worried about the dating scene. We plan to sequester ourselves when bored

[thegadfly]

Have to disagree with Xing, though my own experience may have to do with living in a different part of Pohang -- I am in I-dong, dunno where Xing lived.

I have lived in Mokdong (Seoul), Apkujeong (Seoul) and I-dong (Pohang). Pohang IS a small town compared to Seoul, and there can be problems finding things to do...but isolated and racist are pretty extreme judgments. Some cons of Pohang are finding decent non-Korean restaurants and non-Korean food products (cheese and bacon, I'm lookin' for YOU!). Pros are that it gets quiet at night, I can hop on my bike and be on a mountain trail within 3 minutes of leaving my apartment, I can get myself by bike to the ocean within 30 minutes (I am a slowpoke), I see mountains out my window instead of the windows of other buildings 3 meters away, and the cabs here actually stop, let you in, and then take you where you want to go, instead of just slowing down whilst you shout your destination, hoping they deign to stop. Food is cheap, the air is cleaner than Seoul (again, I-dong, not next to PoSCo), and...it gets quiet. That was a big thing for me -- I never had a moment's peace in Seoul -- even at 4 am, the street outside my place was bustling and noisy, and 5 am was not much different than 8 am. Here, at 5 am, all I can hear are cuckoos in the morning mist...and an occasional car.

There are pros and cons to every place, and if you LOVE Seoul, you may be unhappy in Pohang -- but if you can deal with, or even enjoy the smaller-town feel, Pohang may be fine.

[bluelake]

I lived in Pohang (actually Heunghae) for four years and really liked the area. There is a nice Outback downtown. They used to have a Walmart until that company was bought out by E-Mart. If you need a break to a big city, Daegu is just an hour away. The beaches are pretty nice nowadays (a lot of the pollution has been cleaned up).

[oftenadrift]

From the sounds of it, I am really going to enjoy the scenary. I am happy with just visiting Seoul occasionally. I lived there long enough to appreciate a quieter vibe.

It is also really good to hear the beaches have been cleaned up. I am looking forward to some nice walks along the sea.

[xingyiman]

[thegadfly]

No offense to Xing, but I also thing age may be a factor (though I know nothing about Xing's age). I am part of the older crowd, so perhaps my changing values and priorities color how I feel about the area. I do know that many under-30 folks have trouble finding enough to do, so take trips elsewhere on the weekends. I no longer do the ex-pat bar scene, nor the native bar scene -- left those days behind when I left Seoul the second time. It is impossible to do that here in Pohang -- I have been turned away from clubs here, and I never really found a foreigner-friendly place that I liked where I could shake my money-maker, so I don't go out dancing any more.

Now, I had been turned away from clubs in Seoul, too, but the difference was, when I got turned away, I just went on to the next place, or the next, until I was let in...here there are only a few "next" places.

Then again, the last time I went dancing in Pohang, I won the DJ's "sexy dancer" contest (guy's side -- I shake my money-maker better than Korean guys shake THEIRS, at least that night in that club).

I've encountered racism everywhere in Korea, and it certainly exists in Pohang, but I have found the folks in Pohang to be more...honest? about it. It has been much easier to tell when someone is using me for free English lessons here than it was in Seoul...or pehaps I have just gotten better at noticing the signs.

Quiet life is quiet. Just adding my 20 won to balance the overall view.

[xingyiman]

[buji]

what youngsters want may be over-rated

[Yesterday]

[Chalmers]

i lived there for a year. it had its ups and downs. i like where i am now better i think.


best beach is guryeongpo. take the 200 bus.
hmm...i didnt feel like it was THAT racist of a place...

oh yeah, great seafood for sure!

[sarahsiobhan]

I'm here now. No complaints. Of course, I am 5 minutes from the Homeplus and the snazzy new movie theatre, so that might be a factor. But, all in all, can't complain.