Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kbaileyoakes]

Hey guys, I'm new to the board. I was just offered a position at an elementary school in Paju City. They told me they provide 2 bedroom housing, and that I can have pets, which sounds pretty great for me since I am bringing two dogs and my husband along with me.

My biggest concern is that everything we're seen so far is about how terrible Paju is. Is it really that bad? I mean, looking at Google maps, it appears to be only an hour from Seoul by bus. How can it be so isolated if that is the case?

Thanks!
-Kelly

[ThingsComeAround]

Okay. I will try to give you insight on what you are getting into:

Number 1: Paju is Not a City.
Say it twice

This is in the sense of "large", which the "city of Paju" isn't. There will mostly be some Hofs, a Dunkin Donuts, Baskin Robbins, and if you're lucky, a McDonalds.

Number 2: Paju is an hour drive from Seoul WITHOUT TRAFFIC

This is important. Getting to Seoul late you may want to stay there all night (or day) because going back and forth is quite a hassle. Paju is an hour from Ilsan via bus. From Ilsan, its another hour to Seoul. Believe me, you don't want to ride the bus into Seoul.

Paju is mostly rural. You may not see foreigners often, and the ones you do meet are on their way to Ilsan to have fun. If you know yourself, enjoy quiet open spaces, and have some good books or hobbies, then I'd say take the leap and try Paju out (2 bedroom sounds really nice)

If you need to meet and greet other foreigners, eat foreign food, or you aren't that interested in Korean culture (lets face it, some of us here really aren't) then give Paju a pass.

[andrewchon]

Paju City is a rural city. Which means: there are traffic lights, buses go through, administrative offices are there. All the amenities of the city life: doctors, drug stores, supermarkets, post office, bus terminal etc are found there. What is not so attractive about Paju in general is that it is within the range of North Korean artillery. There are warning signs for reporting suspicious strangers . There are places you don't go because of prepared fortifications. Other than those, Paju is a nice place with people of rustic charm. Personally, I find the area north of Seoul to be the least spoiled by the modernity and the tasteless developers. So, if you have the frontier spirit then give it a go. If you want the home away from home but not Seoul then try Song-do near Incheon.

[kinerry]

Paju = North Korea up in your face right away if anything should happen

[LizMarsh242]

Ok, as someone actually living in Paju, it's not that bad. There is a group of foreigners which meets every wednesday in Geumchon at a bar, and almost all of us are pretty cool.

Downsides: It can be pretty rural in spots. It all depends on where you're living/placed. The largest town in Paju is Geumchon. It's still not that big, but you can get many things here. The next biggest...I'd say is Munsan. Not big, but they have a Home Plus.

Upsides: Good group of people here. It's only maybe 50 minutes from Geumchon station to Seoul Station (DMC slightly less time). Ilsan's not that far away. It's an hour by bus, maybe....if the bus has a winding path. The subway is much faster, it's only 20 minutes to Ilsan from Geumchon.

Where in Paju is the elementary school (PM me and I'll see if I know which one or where...)

[Depths of My Soul]

This is probably only worth a couple of won, but.... being scared of what North Korea might or might not do is not a good reason to go or not go anywhere.

What next? People will be believing everything they read on the internet!!!

[Sody]

You want to take the bus from Paju to Seoul if you ever live there. It's MUCH easier and better than taking the subway. It's an express bus that goes directly from Paju into Seoul. The buses are nice and only a bit more expensive, like around 2000W. Plus it is less noisy and it's safer than the subway, you can sleep most of the way.

Paju is a nice city. Like Depths said, North Korea isn't an issue.

[carleverson]

Paju is really in the middle nowhere and most people don't want to work there.

Maybe they're offering you nice housing to entice you.

Personally, I still wouldn't take the job.

[b-class rambler]

I could understand someone who only ever wants to be in or very near the centre of Seoul describing Paju as "the middle of nowhere".

But in most other Korean contexts, that'd be a very misleading description. There are tons of places elsewhere in Korea (and even in the same province) where you'd be over an hour by limited public transport from ANY major centre of population. Paju covers quite a wide area so your precise situation will vary, as it could anywhere. But there are frequent buses into central Seoul that would take less than an hour if the traffic isn't too bad, and not a whole lot more if it is. Both of the major routes many buses take between central Seoul and Paju have bus only lanes which minimise rush hour delays. The commuter train line running to Paju is now part of the Seoul subway network giving easy access to lots of places in Seoul.

And most importantly OP, you probably won't even NEED (or want) to travel into central Seoul much anyway. Ilsan is no more than 20-30 mins from most parts of Paju and has pretty much all the downtown type stuff most people would require.

Obviously, how good or bad the job is will play a big role in your happiness here, but location-wise Paju isn't a bad place for a married person with 2 dogs IMHO. For a just-out-of-college early 20s party animal who needs to be near Hongdae/Itaewon it mightn't be the best, but I presume that's not you, OP.

[klous-1]

I live in Munsan which is a bit bigger than Paju, but further away from Seoul. I like it more than Seoul, but I like countryside.

The public transport is all very good and cheap, so you can get into Seoul no problems and see sights. but if you do want all night benders in Seoul then they really are "all night" and some of the mornign too as you can't get back after midnight, until the wee hours at 630am or so when the trains and buses start up again.

If you like cities and lots of people then maybe it's not for you. But if you like exploring the lesser places and a bit of quiet (not much quiet, it's Korea afterall) then Paju will be good. I like the ability ot go in to the city and see things and then leave the hustle.

Like Liz said, the teachers meet every Wednesday in Geumchon too to meet people.

[kbaileyoakes]

Thanks for all of your great input, guys. After reading what I've read here, I'm very encouraged, and a lot more secure in my decision. I don't mind being outside of a big city, especially if there is transportation available.

This is exactly the type of information I was looking for. I may not have worded my question in the best way, but you guys did me a huge service.

I've decided to take the position. I currently teach in a juvenile detention center, so really, even if this is the worst position in Korea, it's likely going to be better than my current position.

Once again, thank you all so much!