Korean Job Discussion Forums

[fbermingham]

I have had a tentative offer of employment in Daejeon, but I don't know very much about the city. From what I can see, it's quite large and some reports have told me it's similar to most other cities in terms of facilities.

Can anyone offer me additional information? For example, how is the nightlife? Is there a large international contingent? What attractions are there? Also, my girlfriend will be visiting for a couple of months in the summer. Is there quite a lot to do in terms of culture, sightseeing etc, to keep her entertained whilst I'm teaching?

Thanks!

[Dude Ranch]

Search Function.

[Beeyee]

I like it very much.

Good nightlife, shopping, restaurants and a large number of foreigners if that is your thing.

It's also 45-50 minutes from Seoul on the KTX or 2 hours from Busan. As I said, I like it a lot. I'll probably be moving back there when my contract is up.

[yellowdove]

Daejeon is pretty awesome. I am currently living there with my husband, and we have got a great group of friends here.

As far as facilities and stuff to do, there's plenty to keep you busy, and we're close enough to Seoul that day trips are always a thing to do on the weekends if you're bored.

What neighbourhood (dong) is your school in? That will determine how far you are from the good stuff. I am currently in Songchon-dong, which is really close to the mountains on the edge of town, and only a 25 min bus ride (10 min cab) to both large downtown areas.

Like Beeyee said, good nightlife and shopping, and there are plenty of foreigners here to befriend.

If you want more info, go to my blog and post your email on a comment. http://rossandnicole.wordpress.com

[fbermingham]

I've done a little further research into the school in question. It's called Daejeon DYB EDUSOL, which I notice is on your blog? Do you teach there? I have read a really bad testimony of the school on Google. What is the school like? It seems as though Daejeon is a cool place, judging by these comments. I'd be happy to consider it if the school was good!

[fbermingham]

I was reading a different blog when I noticed the name of that school! I had both open in separate browsers

[yellowdove]

No worries f. I teach at a school called Swaton. My school is awesome. I haven't heard anything about your school.

[gaychel]

the 10 months i spent living in daejeon were the worst 10 months of my life.

[.38 Special]

An inquiry to the night-life:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=178160

Some good information there to get you started.

[yingwenlaoshi]

Not posted by me.

[yellowdove]

I think enjoyment when you live in Daejeon is if you meet friends here or not. I can only imagine what my time here would be if I didn't have such an awesome group of friends. If you move here, you're more then welcome to hang out with us.

[fbermingham]

That's great to know, thanks. I will certainly be in touch should this come to fruition.

[tzechuk]

[Dude Ranch]

Daejeon

- Housing for first time teachers is pretty decent in and around the City Hall in Dunsan Dong. Large studio appts.
- Cleanest air quality in Korea (still has yellow dust though)
- No US Military presence in the city
- Has a Costco
- Friendly locals. I was treated well the entire time I was there. Sure there were awkward moments, but nothing like some of the stuff you read on this board.
- More conservative than Seoul or Busan.
- Less English spoken than Seoul.
- Foreign community is just really starting to take off now. All the time there are new teachers coming over. It seems like each week the bars are getting more and more packed. More events and activities are starting to get organized.
- The traditional entertainment choices are still limited, repetitive after awhile. Same faces, same bars all the time.
- In the middle of the KTX High Speed Track so it means that travel to Seoul, Busan or anywhere else is rather easy, cheap and convenient. (except the airport bus which takes 3 hours)
- Very limited in terms of foreign food restaurants. No Mexican restaurant. A pretty tasty but expensive Indian.
- Cheap baseball tickets to the Hanhwa Eagles games in the summer
- Timeworld, Gung-dong, and downtown are the three major areas people hang out, unfortunately, they are rather spread out from each other.
- Lots of taxis everywhere, cheap and clean.
- Plenty of bike paths, hiking trails and the mountains nearby
- Daejeon is a fairly good city which has a bit of everything. It might suit an older person better than say a twenty-something year-old looking to party. Some might find the city boring and repditive after awhile while others might find that it has everything they need.
- Doesn't really feel like a city of 1.5 million people; rather like a city of 400,000-500,000 tops. Just doesn't have much of a soul to it (yet).

[yellowdove]