Korean Job Discussion Forums

[teretere]

Which do you prefer to live and hang out in, and why?

Hongdae: Closer to the Han and Noeul / Hanul Parks; New express train station to Incheon Airport being built in Hongdae; Lots of restaurants, galleries, and (overpriced) cafes; Youthful atmosphere; Lots of bars/clubs; Quieter residential areas are pleasant


Hyehwa: Closer to the palaces, mountains, and Samcheon-dong; Easier access to Gangnam clubs; theaters; Lots of universities nearby; Less frequented by foreigners/GIs on the prowl;

[Bibbitybop]

Live in? Hyehwa. For clubs and a better variety of bars to visit? Hongdae.

Don't forget that Hyehwa has only 1 club, but a variety of back alley bars and restaurants with unique styles.

[teretere]

[Bibbitybop]

The area near SKKU is more expensive and has more students. Naksan has far fewer students and is cheaper. But the business and bar area is navigable from one side to another by 15 minutes each way, so take the best apartment deal you can get.

[teretere]

Thanks.

What's that area on the other side of Naksan like? The area sandwiched between Naksan Park and Hansung Univ. as well as directly north of Hansung University?

Pleasant place to live? And is it possible to cut through Naksan to reach Hyehwha from over there or do you have to go all the way around?

[Bibbitybop]

I wouldn't live on the other side of Naksan unless I couldn't afford Hyehwa. The area used to have tons of old Korean houses, but they demolished them in order to build...wait for it...high rise apartments. There used to be a way to cross over the mountain from one side to the other, but then construction blocked off the easy route and I haven't looked at it recently. Even if it is open again, the simple climb up and down wouldn't be appealing as an everyday route. There isn't anything special about that station, but getting to Hyehwa would still be super easy by subway, bus, or taxi.

[sigmundsmith]

Hyehwa suxs guys. stay away from it. stick to hongdae and itaewon. really boring place to go. crap food and crap bars. no entertainment there at all.

The living is shite as well. Really bad place to find an apartment with a view that you dont have to pay for. Itaewon has some great views as well as Hongdae.

You are more likely to have a good time and meet some interesting people in Hongdae or Itaewon.

[sesyeux]

itaewon? 초보자

[teretere]

I wish Itaewon and HBC weren't separated in two by the large traffic road.

The US army base with barbed wire fencing is also not the most pleasant thing to live next to.


Regarding the other side of Naksan, I just saw on Naver / Google Maps those big apartment developments. So sad. But still looks like low rises/houses are there directly North of Hansung Univ. though.

What are the housing prices like in Hyehwa both west of Naksan and east of SKKU anyhow?