Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dharmasister]

I need lots and lots and lots of info on Bundang. I am new to this site so if there is a specific forum for different regions, please point me in the right direction.

Here's my 411: I will be heading to Bundang by the end of the year if everything goes accordingly. I just started the job hunt for S. Korea a couple of weeks ago, but I already have a couple of offers and I think I want to aim for the one in Bundang. I have lots of questions which I will post to specific forums as I go through the process, but for the moment a couple of things pop into mind.

1. Can you get around on a bicycle in Bundang?

2. Should I bring my own or buy one there? I ride a lot for pleasure here and have a very nice, kind of spendy bike that I really love.

3. Are there any biking clubs in Bundang, y'know, groups that get together and take day trips or enter in triathelons etc.?

4. What is the housing situation like in Bundang. All the youtube videos I have seen of people showcasing their apartments makes it seem like I'll be living in a cracker jack box. Which I can live with, I just need to be prepared so I can do some serious prioritizing on what to bring.

we'll leave it at that for now. I have soooo much to ask about - and yes I have visited lots of websites like SeoulStyle.com ect and some Bundang sites all trying to get my knowledge on. It's nice to hear directly from folks living in the area.

Thanks!!!

[bethy22788]

Hi!

I thought I would reply to your post although I really cannot offer any answers. I am in the US now and also headed to Bundang - probably in October. I LOVE to cycle and I have been wondering the same things. I think I might box up my bike and have it shipped although I'm not sure yet. I know from research that there is a nice river path that you can apparently take right into Seoul and possibly further? by bike.

Where will you be working, do you know? I think the housing situation depends on your employer and where they decide to house you? Not sure... We should be in touch. Sounds like we have a lot of the same interests and will be in the same area pretty soon!!

[CSlinguist]

Oh yay future neighbors I'm also headed to Bundang. I will be flying out this Thursday and living in the Yatap area. Sorry I can't add any pertinent info just wanted to say hi Unfortunately I'm not into biking (I'm more of a runner) I'm also into Salsa dancing and cooking if anyone wants to hang out or have an activity group

[bethy22788]

I like running tooooo!!!

I'm into anything. I also want to find people who like rock climbing - there are a couple climbing gyms in Bundang that I want to check out...

dharmasister, I also just found this forum that has some info. about bringing bikes and different peoples' opinions/experiences. You might find it helpful:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=189861

[verve]

[dharmasister]

Yay!!! Bundang friends!!! Glad to hear from you. Hopefully I'll make it there by the end of October as well. It would be nice to know some folks there when I arrive.

Don't know the school yet where I will be. It would be nice though to hang out. I too love to cook. I have only gone rock climbing once and that was a long time ago. It would be nice to get a group together right from the start and plan on doing stuff. I will try anything at least once!

How long have either of you been working on this overseas expedition? Like I said, I just started a couple of weeks ago and am hoping I can get all my paper work together really quick.

One question - did you have to provide your own accomodations when the recruiter sent you to the embassy to get your visas? The guy that offered me the job in Bundang (Don Park) asked me if I know anyone in Houston that I can stay with. He said they would pay for my flight and though he didn't say they would not pay my hotel, the question just gave me pause for a moment. What has your experience with visa trips been?

[verve]

dharmasister, I have always paid for those kind of expenses. In my case I just sent my passport to the Korean consulate by courier, they stamped the visa and I couriered it back.

[dharmasister]

Verve: Thanks for the reply. Since they have lots of bike shops I will probably leave my cannondale at home - less chance of it getting banged up on the trip over. I'm also really hoping to meet some locals, so biking with them would be cool. I'm sure they know of some great trails or street rides. Glad to know I can use my bike for everyday transportation and not just pleasure rides if that was what you meant in reply #1. I don't want to be dodging crazy drivers if I use my bike to get to the store or something.

[verve]

[kiwigirl :O)]

Hi from a Bundang local ^^

There is a river called the Tancheon that you can cycle along from Bundang to Gangnam in Seoul....(its about 15kms I think) there are also intermittent stops to put air in your bike tires along the river and some apartment complexes have this too

I got my bike at a local store with the help of a coworker....I love it...but lately its been wayyyyy too hot to ride my bike...I used to ride it a lot during the winter but I got sick from all the night cycling and stopped for a bit

Bundang is a nice area....there are 2 big parks that are pleasant to walk/picnic/cycle in...one of them has a mini zoo and bungee platform...

If you want any more specific info let me know

KG ^^

[tjmauermann]

I live in the Bundang area and bought my bike locally. Bike theft is a concern as I have had a friend lose two bikes to thieves but otherwise the Tancheon is a a great place to ride although the summer is a tad hot to ride in.

If you ride in the early morning or at night you will not feel the heat and humidity as much but there is no guarantee.

My apartment is big enough but not what I had while in the states. Expect a dorm. There is also plenty of westernized things in the area if you require them.

[dharmasister]

[dharmasister]

Thanks everyone for all the biking info

[nathanrutledge]

1. Define "get around." Sure, the tancheon parks are fantastic, you could ride from around Pyeongtaek to Seoul using the trail around the tancheon (and some other creeks in the south) for the majority of it. But riding east/west, there aren't a lot of options.

There are plenty of smaller side streets, so with good planning, you can ride anywhere you want in relative safety. Keyword, relative.

2. What kind of bike do you have? Myself, I'm in the US until this coming Monday, and I am bringing my Specialized Rockhopper Comp Disc back with me. I COULD buy one in Korea, for about 30-40% more than I paid for it in the US (of course, the way the airlines are trying to sex me up, i might have been better off doing that!)

Buying a bike in Korea is easy, plenty of bike stores, discount retailers (emart, lotte mart, etc) where you can get basic mountain/road/folding bikes, no problem. Sram, shimano, grip shifts, quik fires, etc, you WONT find those, not unless you hit up a nice shop, and they'll cost you a bit more.

3. What kind of biking do you want to do? There is a mountain bike club that is based around seoul, and they go to the park at Seohyeon on a pretty regular basis. Road biking, I'm sure there are some, I just don't know anything about them. Anyway, search on google for mountain biking korea and their site should pop up.

[itaewonguy]

Bundang