Korean Job Discussion Forums

OMGtrev · Joined: 09 Mar 2010

I have been offered jobs in both of these cities and the jobs themselves are pretty similar, so I'm having trouble picking. Does anyone have some experience in either of these cities or other insight? Question

Olivencia · Joined: 08 Mar 2009

Both aren't too exciting.
In Pohang you can go to the beach (Chilpo is small but good) but the air quality (especially near downtown) ain't too good.

OMGtrev · Joined: 09 Mar 2010

Olivencia · Joined: 08 Mar 2009

Man it's been awhile since I was there. I can't remember how long to Busan but I do think it was more than an hour.

canale226 · Joined: 23 Jan 2010

I'm in Pohang right now, and its not too bad. There are quite a few western restaurants, 3 movie theaters, and the downtown is pretty active and lively. The air isn't THAT bad, and the few beaches around here are all pretty good. Busan is about 1.25 hours away, about the same to Daegu. Seoul though, is pretty far away. I was a bit hesitant to come here as well, but its better than most Korean cities... in my experience.

CapnSamwise · Joined: 11 Jan 2010

I'm in Pohang as well, what academy would you be working for? Chungdahm gets a lot of [Mod Edit] but the manager of the Pohang branch is a seriously awesome dude.

I've only been here a few weeks but I enjoy it. Of course, I'm a gentrified country space-chicken so I don't know cities well.

OMGtrev · Joined: 09 Mar 2010

CapnSamwise · Joined: 11 Jan 2010

Visa?

canale226 · Joined: 23 Jan 2010

Not a military presence here anymore, but if you are in south Pohang, there is a large foreigner presence with the university and POSCO. I live in north Pohang, and with downtown (bars, shops, cafe's) and the beach/movie theater - I'm rarely super bored. It happens of course, but not too often. Would I rather live in Busan, Seoul, or Daegu? Sure... but over some of the other smaller cities I've been too (Jeonju, Gumi, Andong, etc) I would much rather live here. I wish I could compare it to the other city you're considering, but I honestly no zero about it. Just make a decision and jump on it. Also, Pohang has the Steelers (Korean soccer team) and we're pretty damned good. Tickets are reasonable and games are fun. Good luck

ChilgokBlackHole · Joined: 21 Nov 2009

I've never lived in either, but I've spent some time in both, and I would choose Pohang. It's great for a laugh.

jrad · Joined: 20 May 2009

I am been in Pohang for 9 months now and I really enjoy it. There are a ton of foreigners here and everyone is so cool. We estimate to have about 500 foreigner teachers. There is Uiduk University, Postech University, Pohang University and maybe one more. Then there are EPIK kids, chain hagwons and random mom and pop hagwons everywhere.

The summers here are pretty sweet. I came in at the tail end of last summer. I did get lucky because I live 2 blocks away from the beach so I can go lay out when it is warm before going to work. They actually just made Bukbu beach really nice by putting in a boardwalk. Alot of things happen at the beach, festivals, concerts, etc. They are quickly making things in Pohang really nice. Redoing things to beautify the city. In the summer, a lot of foreigners meet at the beach after work on Fridays. Pohang is a pretty social place.

Yes, we have Posco but I don't think the air quality is bad at all and seriously, I live about as close as you possibly can to the steel factory. It is across the bay.

Busan and Daegu are not far at all. I really don't think Seoul is far either if you do it correctly. I just did it a couple of weeks ago and if you take a bus to Daegu Station(1 hr bus), then hop on the KTX to Seoul(1 hr and 47 minutes), You are looking at only 3 hours to Seoul. Not bad at all. The KTX is so much more comfortable than a 5 hour bus ride to Seoul. I have heard they are building a KTX station in Pohang and it should be complete this year which will go to Seoul. That will be pretty sweet when that happens.

Another good thing about Pohang, which I cannot vouch for Masan, but you will learn Korean here. Not many people speak English as it is still rural. However, I noticed they started speaking announcing the bus stops in English and Japanese as well at certain important places.

In retrospect, I am pretty happy with being placed in Pohang.

ChilgokBlackHole · Joined: 21 Nov 2009

timmayyyyy · Joined: 18 May 2008 Location: Seoul

Honestly it sounds like Pohang might be a little better choice, but of course I don't know you well enough to say that. Where exactly in Masan would you be living? That matters too. Either way, it's not a very exciting place, although the western edge of Busan is 45-50 minutes by bus. For reference on English, it is NEVER on the buses here (although it is in some parts of neighboring Changwon, which is a nicer place). It's pretty hard to make many Korean friends here unless your Korean is really good. Most people will never attempt to talk to you. I wouldn't say it's the friendliest place. Pohang sounds like it has a little more going for it, and they're more used to foreigners even.

Masan only has one university, and the area around it is not that exciting. The nightlife here is pretty dull. A couple Korean style nightclubs but no dance clubs or anything. You'd have to go to Busan for stuff like that. There's no beach here, and it's not a very pretty/clean looking city. It's definitely a working class city. Changwon is more affluent. Dong Daegu station from here is about 70 minutes away by bus. The KTX doesn't come here yet (maybe next year I heard).

I lived in Seoul before I lived in Masan, so I've experienced both sides of it kind of. 3-9 pm sounds like pretty sweet hours for a hakwon.

If you have any specific questions, let me know. Good luck.

furtakk · Joined: 02 Jun 2009

not to be that guy, but why don't you just hold out for a more desirable location?