Korean Job Discussion Forums

[trudger]

Need some help. We are relocating to S.K. (job related) with two kids (middle school age). Employer is located in Bundang but for some reason their real estate agent suggests living in Yongsan-gu (YISS school for kids). It seems that there is another international school (KIS) right in Bundang.

What are pros and contras for living in Bundang vs Yongsan district ? Any better options for a family with kids within reasonable distance to Bundang ? Not looking for active nightlife, would rather prefer access to a pool, gym, library (with some english titles), family dining(budget and mid-range), park, bicycle trail and other family-type entertainment in the area where people understand at least a bit of English (we do not speak Korean).

[ttompatz]

[sojukettle]

YISS is nice too; good facilities, quite new. Close to Itaewon and central Seoul.

But if the job is in Bundang I would live there and go to KIS. There are enough outlets , businesses for all your requirements ( library with english books may be a stretch - not sure about that) in Bundang. New area, well laid out with facilites - still growing quickly with many more apartment blocks and R+D areas being built.

But also find out which, if either, school will have the vacancies for both your children. These schools, whilst being expensive but usually covered in your expat package, are not that large and there is a high percentage of koreans eligible to attend. This leaves only a small turnover of actual international students each year so getting a place at the time you want, in the grades you want, can be difficult.

good luck

sk

[Lynns]

Middle school and high school kids who are not Korean speakers will probably be happier at one of the more diverse international schools in Seoul, either SFS or YISS. I sent you a PM with more information.

[trudger]

[quercus]

Bundang is a very nice place to live. I have several students who go to KIS and while they are all Korean, they all are very fluent in English and all have spent a lot of time in America. I think your children would fit in fine.

Bundang has anything a family could need and as stated earlier is an upper middle class neighborhood with many parents who are also fluent in English. I would say half my students families there have lived in America, Australia/NZ or England at some point.

Bundang is clean, convenient and family friendly. There are 3 great, massive parks. There are many smaller apartment parks, bike paths, several shopping centers, and you still are only a 20-30 minute bus ride straight into Seoul at non peak hours.

Live near Yongsan and you will be on the bus for hours at peak traffic times.

Live in Bundang and you could all spend that time at dinner together, etc.

Bundang is known specifically as a family town and people move there for the schools and great family atmosphere.

Yongsan is polluted and dirty. Itaewon is a dump. Great cheap liquor and plenty of foreigners sleeping on the benches the next morning. Food is expensive and poor. THe neighborhood randomly smells walking down teh road.

In Bundang any neighborhood is fine for your family, but Sunae-2-dong, Jeongja-1-dong and Jeongja-3 dong aand Seohyeon-1-dong are closest to KT, SK, Samsung AND KIS school. But anywhere in Bundang is only a 15 minute drive max from any other place. Lived there 8 years, if I had kids its the only place in Korea I would consider. Mostly because it has so many open spaces.

[sojukettle]