Korean Job Discussion Forums

[s.tickbeat]

Well I've got a contract offer for Gwangyang city, and I noticed that the main industries in the city are steel and chemical manufacturing. My only question: does Gwangyang stink?

[Zutronius]

My ex lives in Gwangyang Eup and it wasn't too bad. Friends of mine who did live in GY city never complained about a smell.

[Oatmeal Prince]

I've been to Gwangyang a few times and I thought it was a lovely, charming town, although admittedly my point of reference was Gwangju, which is indeed smelly.

[air76]

It does not stink....but there is definitely pollution in the air if you live in Jungma-dong...in Gwangyang-Eup it's fine (but the Eup is boring)

I'd recommend going there 100%, there are a lot of cool people in Gwangyang and it has a real family atmosphere with the foreigners.

[Cerulean]

No, it doesn't smell.

I'm so happy I don't live there anymore. Too remote for me but a truly beautiful part of the country. I do miss the scenery.

Good luck to you.

[toadkillerdog]

It doesn't stink and it has the BEST bulgogi in all of South Korea. The eel is to shabby either.

[geldedgoat]

I honestly can't imagine any city in Korea that doesn't stink at least half the week. Food trash and vomit on the sidewalks along with partially open sewers are things you'll encounter everywhere here, and they're definitely pungent enough to make you hold your nose and hurry down another block. ...and then there's summertime . . .

[air76]

[shifty]

The Eup is to be avoided at all costs!! Unless you're lighthousekeeper material.

There is a brown haze over POSCO but it seems to be localised in my unscientific view. The city doesn't smell.

Social life is very vibrant. If you like cycling and fitness and stuff it's also number one.

[Zutronius]

[alkibades]

I lived in Gwangyang two years ago, in Gwangyeong-dong or some such place. I would not say that industry had a big impact on the environment. But in my opinion it stank terribly in the figurative sense.

Good area for hiking. There was a Home Plus. Not much to do there but take the bus to Suncheon, which barely had a foreigner scene.

Good luck, hope you enjoy your decision.

[Hardy Boy]

The Gwangyang-Suncheon-Yeosu industrial triangle has pollution levels only matched by the metro ares of Seoul and Daegu. That said, there are nice scenic parts and with one's own transportation one can make the best of it. The weather is nice and mild. It's easy to befriend foreigners there.