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Mr. BlackCat
Joined: 30 Nov 2005
Location: Insert witty remark HERE
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 Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 2:13 am Post subject: |
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On topic, I would agree with most of the OP's points exept for the weather. I don't think the weather is that different across Korea to say Seoul has it so much worse. I also don't think the winters are that bad. It's very dry, but only uncomfortably cold for a few days here and there. But I'm from Canada, maybe that's why. I could see a problem if you're from California or Australia or something. The humidity in the summer is ridiculous as well. I'd rather put up with cold (though not as dry) than the summers here.
The rest is pretty accurate in my opinion, but I still think the positives of living in Seoul outweigh the negatives. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else in Korea, with the possible exception of Busan. I think it's obvious that there are positives and negatives to anyplace you live, I really don't understand the usual suspects on this board who go out of their way to either deny the negatives or to start bringing up unrelated stories from 3rd world slums. When I mention the unfortunate suburban sprall in my hometown no one feels the need to start yelling at me about Calcutta or how I don't understand American culture. I also wonder how these people are able to understand Korea so in depth, much more than any other foreigner or even most Koreans. |
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Steelrails
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System
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| Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 4:52 am Post subject: Re: 10 Reasons to Hate Seoul |
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| Mr. BlackCat wrote: |
Holy poop, guys, the OP was talking about living in Seoul vs another part of Korea. Don't worry, Korea's honour is safe for another day. You can put your plastic He-Man swords away. I didn't realize NJ, Chicago and Delhi were in Korea. Does the KTX go there. Christ.
| Steelrails wrote: |
| Junior wrote: |
10) Lack of Political Correctness You can just be yourself without having to watch what you're saying and doing too much.. E.g. ...if you're a smoker you will appreciate being able to smoke anywhere without being told off.. |
THIS.
Not everyone here believes that their version of moral order should be imposed by law upon the rest of society and that they have the right to never be offended or inconvenienced ever in their life. |
Yes, because the guy saying he doesn't like the smell of poop was totally trying to force his moral code on the brave and fair people of Korea. First they came for the poop-smellers and I said nothing because I didn't mind the smell of poop.
WORSE THAN HITLER!!! |
Aye you got me there BlackCat.
While I think he should have said 'Big City' rather than Seoul, your point is very correct. Hypocrisy=Me on this. If I'm against PC the OP should be able to blast away.
At the same time bash Seoul for its lack of express runs on its Subway, its abysmal scenery, its traffic, its poor foreign dining options, its general lack of cultural variety for a city its size, etc. etc., but to rip it for having stinky sewers and bums at a train station is just silly. |
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rusty1983
Joined: 30 Jan 2007
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| Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 4:53 am Post subject: |
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| One reason is that I live in England and Seoul is too far away for me to pop over for a weekend, or even a week off work. Bastard. |
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SW
Joined: 08 Sep 2009
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 6:48 pm Post subject: Re: 10 Reasons to Hate Seoul |
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| CentralCali wrote: |
| As you say, though, there are a great many interesting people and things there. What's your Top Ten Reasons to Like Seoul? |
Here goes:
1. Gyeongbuk Palace. IMO, more aesthetically pleasing, and definitely better kept, than the Forbidden City. Doesn't take so damn long to explore, either.
2. Sinchon. Cue the Def Leppard song.
3. Greater access to martial arts gyms. For those of us into that sort of thing.
4. The Han River at night. It's pretty cool.
5. Reliable public transportation. It may be intolerably crowded in a lot of places, but it'll still take you from point A to point B without much other hassle.
6. The Yongsan Electronics Market. Simply because it has loads of s%$#, plus that mall, movie theater, train station, and E-Mart conveniently located in the same general area.
7. Itaewon 2-dong. Some interesting people and interesting/useful places around here.
8. Coex. This place, especially the food court, has the feel of an American mall, for any of us Americans who are actually that homesick (and I admit it, this year I was).
9. Hongdae. I wouldn't be caught dead in a lot of the clubs, but there seems to be something for everyone there. It's especially nice in the summer. I have fond memories of all-nighters in Hongdae when I first came to Korea.
10. Proximity and ease-of-access to Incheon Airport. For when you absolutely have to get the hell out.
You'll note that most things on this list do not really have to do with day-to-day life, so it also might serve as an indicator of why I find it better to live out in the satellite cities, and only visit Seoul when you have a craving for one of the aforementioned items.
I guess it's also worth re-posting what I wrote in another thread about my life in Gyeonggi vs. my life in Seoul:
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In Gyeonggi-do...
-2.5 mil/month
-20 min. max walk from home to work, flat ground
-Restaurants within walking distance from work in the double digits, including no less than three pizza places
-Countless businesses and restaurants within walking distance from home, including three large grocery stores
-Kind, hospitable people (for the most part)
-A stream with running track alongside 10 min. from home
-Beautiful mountain scenery
-Able to walk down the street without dodging anybody, getting blocked, or bumped into
In Central Seoul...
-2.2 mil/month
-About 35 min. walk from home to work, up and down stairwells, hills, and grades most of the way
-Absolutely nothing within walking distance from work (that can be reached in time to get back after lunch). No mini-marts, grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, or banks. I'm not exaggerating.
-Only overpriced fast-food joints and Kimbap Paradise near home. Nearest large grocery store is 20 mins. away by bus
-Stressed-out, impatient, harried people (for the most part)
-No suitable outdoor place to exercise anywhere near home
-Tons of air & noise pollution, hideous run-down buildings, seemingly nothing but pavement for miles around
-Must constantly dodge throngs of people and vehicles on main streets, and usually stand on buses and subways
Not saying Seoul is a hellhole, just that I had it a lot better in Gyeonggi-do. I thought moving to Seoul would only make my life in Korea even more fun and convenient. I was very wrong. It's also well worth noting that visiting Seoul from satellite cities on weekends and actually living in Seoul seven days a week are two different kettles of fish. |
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