Korean Job Discussion Forums

Summer Wine · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Location: Next to a River

I noticed that a poster made the comment, that unless you get in fast, you may find yourselves out in the "boonies". I gather he means the countryside and country towns.

I am curious as to how many would feel this to be a negative and how many would feel this is a positive.

(for those who read this, I must apologise. I had put the option for the poll to continue for a long time. I am not sure if it is open for polling or if I made a mistake.)

I have read over the year peoples comments about not wanting to be in a small town with no easy link to Seoul, or commenting that they should bypass these jobs. I guess I should have made a posy asking why rather than whould prefer.

Katchafire · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 6:03 pm Post subject:

I've been living in my lil country town for 3 yrs now. It's not tiny, perhaps 4-5000 people, with one main street of stores. I'm kinda in a large valley - surrounded by farmland with hills circling around in the near distance. My closest city would be Uijeongbu or Dongducheon.

My nearest subway station is about 30 mins away by bus, which is then around 20 mins by subway to Uijeongbu. The subway is also line #1 which is handy for getting into Seoul - even if it takes some time.

I really enjoy being in the country. It makes a weekend trip into any city an 'event'. Smile

G

Chaucer · Joined: 20 Oct 2009

I think satellite city sort of means not countryside. Not many country towns are linked to the subway very closely.

For new or young teachers, though, Seoul is the place to be. I'd hate to be where I am if I weren't married, sick of Hongdae (from over-indulgence), etc.

The only non-Seoul areas I'd accept would be Bundang or Ilsan, which are Seoul-ish enough and have (possibly) fresher air.

morrisonhotel · Joined: 18 Jul 2009 Location: Gyeonggi-do

I live in a very small village right out in the countryside in Gyeonggi-do. Although the nearest city is not that far away, buses are irregular and taxis back and forth soon add up. I need to go the nearest city if I want anything - my village doesn't even have a shop. In total it takes about 2 hours to get to Seoul with bus change overs and the like. I've only been here a few weeks and I'm already getting slightly bored of being in the countryside. It's too remote from anything good. That's the negatives.

On the upside, I've got plenty of time to study Korean at night, the people are friendly, and the school has been more than accommodating.

Besides a little boredom, I'm enjoying certain aspects.

Triban · Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Location: Suwon Station

I fully regret my countryside decision.

Draz · Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Location: Land of Morning Clam

morrisonhotel · Joined: 18 Jul 2009 Location: Gyeonggi-do

^ There are difficulties. The worst are being isolated, having to make sure you have money on you at all times because there isn't an ATM anywhere near by, running out of food is pretty frustrating, and the cost of using taxis at all times. Hopefully some of the other difficulties will improve when the weather is a bit better. If not, city next year.