Korean Job Discussion Forums

DomesticPelican · Joined: 25 Sep 2009

I was offered a job there and I would love to hear about this area....

I know its about 50 minutes from Seoul and there are a lot of private schools there....that's really about all I know.

I would appreciate any information....

Thanks!

opthomps · Joined: 05 Sep 2009 Location: Nowon Gu, Seoul

I have placed in a public school in Nowon-Gu by SMOE. I live right near Eunhaeng Junction. This is where lots of the Hagwons are based. The area is fine for restaurants and supermarkets, and day to day living.

Its 20 minutes walk from Nowon, which is the main place in the Gu and has a few bars, but nothing special. Its a very Korean experience. There is little in the way of business or International life. It can be annoying to have to take the Subway for over an hour to get to the likes of Hongdae, Itaewon and Gangnam.

Overall its ok, just try to find out more about the exact location, but i'm sure it will be fine for a year for you, as it is for me.

Xuanzang · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Sadang

My friend works in the southern tip of Nowon. A poorer area than Sanggye or Junggye. The kids are lower level (some mentally disabled) and the funding isn't there at his school. If you work closer to Nowon station and the Sanggye area then you might have more better students and a newer place.

redaxe · Joined: 01 Dec 2008

great hiking at Mt. Dobong, but that's about it.

smurfystew · Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Location: Seoul, ROK

pretty boring and a 20,000w taxi ride from anywhere good.

qcat79 · Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Location: ROK

hmmm....it depends on what you consider 'seoul' to be. i don't think it's 50 minutes to get to that many 'cool' places, but it'd be a lot quicker, i suppose, if you buy a motorbike. i know it's pushing it now that the weather is getting cooler, but i can make it to my girlfriend's place in nowon (SNUT) from gangnam in about 35 minutes. not bad.

Xuanzang · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Sadang

qcat79 · Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Location: ROK

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

Where in Nowon?

Dharma_Blue · Joined: 11 Oct 2008

Lived there for a year. Too far out (not as in groovy, man) from the rest Seoul. Boring, bland suburb. Wouldn't do it again.

yingwenlaoshi · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Location: ... location, location!

Nowon wants to go there.

danseonsaeng · Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Location: Seoul, South Korea

1) Nowon IS Seoul. It's NOT 50-minutes outside the city. It IS the city, albeit pretty far NE. You won't be 'out in the sticks.'
2) Nowon's just like any part of Seoul that isn't Hongdae, Itaewon, or Kangnam - it has restaurants, bars, department stores, movie theatres, etc.
3) It's distinctive for it's location - sandwiched between two huge, impressive mountains, Surak and Dobong. Great, great, great for hiking.
4) Face facts - no matter where you start, traveling to most places in Seoul takes about a half hour to an hour. From Nowon, you can get to Hyehwa in 25 minutes, Dongdaemun in 30, Itaewon in 40, Yongsan in 40, Sinchon/Hongdae in 45, Kangnam in 50. Not too bad.
5) Nowon's got what I consider to be the best fish place I've found in Seoul - 고된. Hit me up if you want directions.
6) The area around Nowon station is pretty happenin' on Friday and Saturday nights (despite the distance from 'major' spots). Lots of bars, night clubs, restaurants...whatever you want, basically.

Anything else?

danseonsaeng · Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Location: Seoul, South Korea

Would I prefer to live in Sinchon? Sure. Do I detest living in Nowon? Nah. Like I said, it's pretty normal.

Dharma_Blue · Joined: 11 Oct 2008

danseonsaeng · Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Location: Seoul, South Korea

That's an exaggeration.

You can head home by 11:30 or 12 on weeknights (that includes Friday, folks) and head home by 10:30 on weekends. So, yeah, if you plan to stay out late on Saturday, you better make it real late (like, 5:30AM) or just pay for the damn taxi (no more than 25,000). If you go with friends, you split the cost. Not a big deal.