Korean Job Discussion Forums

[robinsoncrusoe]

Where is your favorite place to live in Korea or where do you dream of living?

Personally, I've been to all the major cities (Seoul, Daegu, Busan, Gwangju, Daejeon) and my favorite is still Busan. True, it doesn't have the multitude of exciting new events every second that Seoul has, but I really like the slower pace of life, being right by the sea as well as the mountains (having nature right next to you), far less air pollution, and warmer overall weather (i'm an outdoors kinda guy).

Seoul is definitely a lot of fun, but people don't often see the downsides of living in the 10th largest metro area in the world, such as congestion, pollution, inflated housing prices, and general living expenses.

Agree? Disagree? I'm an f***in moron? post your thoughts!

[Kurtz]

It's really hard to comment on a place until you've lived there for a year. Also, are we talking scenic beauty or things to do? or both?

I went to Daejeon last weekend. It was a nice place, with the river flowing through the city, clean entertainment areas, some nice mountains but perhaps it would get dull very quickly, I don't know as I've never lived there.

I still find the general Haeundae area in Busan hard to beat. I can go to Seoul, enjoy the fast pace, plethora or women wanting to meet the foreigner, decent cafes and Western food, but be shocked by the endless concrete and actually feel lucky to live where I do which has nice mountains, beaches with a vibrant bar scene.

[SeoulNate]

I would kill to live in Sokcho, but the girlfriend wouldnt have it being away from her shopping and all

[DeMayonnaise]

What the other guy said...it's hard to know if I'd want to live in a place based on a short visit there. I'd say Seoul, since it has the most going on and I can get to the other places easily. Not sure about the cost of living, it's pretty cheap for English teachers (especially that whole "free housing" thing).

[morakanokbs]

I like busan. It's more chill place compare to seoul. People in seoul rush too much.

[Milwaukiedave]

I liked Jinju purely for it's beauty. The down side is there isn't much to do and it's far from Seoul. I also lived just outside Daegu in kind of a rural area and that was nice as well.

[Louis VI]

They are two different questions.

My favorite city in Korea?

1. Busan (Haeundae, Nampodong, friends, PIFF)
1a. Chuncheon (the dukalbi, the festivals, the lake)
1b. Tongyeong (the islands, the gamjatang, the mild winters)

Where I want to live?

1. Seogwipo, Jeju (and I finally AM)
2. Jinju and/or Gangneung (great regional centers with small town outdoorsy feel, close to beaches, mountains)
3. Jeonju (a bit too big, but little industrial pollution, JIFF, universities, not far from a great beach and hikes for weekend jaunts)

[oldtactics]

Chuncheon, Jeonju, Jinju, in no particular order.

Jeonju is more of a big city so there's less 'beauty' but more to do. Seems to have a lot of character and I've never been bored there, even in the middle of the night.

Chuncheon and Jinju are two of the most beautiful & livable cities in the country, in my opinion. Gangneung a close third. I much prefer smaller cities to Seoul.

[redaxe]

[ThingsComeAround]

I like Chuncheon, and will be going there once the metro from Seoul is completed

Goyang is... meh. Not the mecca of culture that they claim to be.

i think Bucheon would do it for me. Bucheon has a lot of character. The place looks like a ghetto, but the people have got some charm, and its close to Seoul/Incheon

[Radius]

i like Sanbon. Clean and green and quiet with alot of trees. Just a nice place to raise a family if you should choose to do in this country.

[cj1976]

[Radius]

[definitely maybe]

I'd prefer some place coastal and not the upper west coast, but my wife has to be near Seoul for a number of valid and not so valid reasons. Given the circumstances, Ilsan is where I could see myself living for an extended amount of time without pulling all of my hair out. Lake park, La Festa and the meat street, Westerndom, and a nearby Costco cover most of the basics for a young family.

[Bibbitybop]

I think it's time to repost Cohiba's FFF (Fun For Foreigners) rule:

Out of 100, subtract 1 point for each kilometer you live away from Seoul. I think I got that equation right.

Busan has some nice scenes and beaches, but no other city even comes close to Seoul unless you are married, introverted, or travel out of the country a lot.