Korean Job Discussion Forums

olk2 · Joined: 14 Dec 2010

Hi,

I have been offered a job in Sawoo-dong, Gimpo city. Does anyone know anything about this area? Is it a built up area? I don't want to go anywhere too rural, and would like to be able to get to the centre of Seoul easily.

Thanks!

PigeonFart · Joined: 27 Apr 2006

That area was mentioned here before, read it below.
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=180554

The map below is focused (crosshairs) on Sawoo-Dong, so you can zoom out and see where it is in relation to the rest of Seoul.
http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=37.6200868&lon=126.7195809&z=17&l=0&m=s

Korussian · Joined: 15 Sep 2007

90% of the public school teachers in Gimpo live in one low-rise apartment building in Sau-dong. It's possible your actual school is there, but that's unlikely. Although, if you're at a hagwon then maybe. The Gimpo Education office happens to be in Sau-dong too.

Sau-dong has a movie theatre, many bars, two gyms, and a VIPs restaurant. All banks are within walking distance, and the KEB bank is open on Sundays. All the buses go through Sau-dong.

The foreigners in Gimpo are very friendly and rather tight-knit. However, Sau-dong is about 1 hour 45 minutes from Itaewon, so foreign food might be a bit of a hassle if you can't do without it.

Nevertheless, Ilsan is just a short 30 minute bus ride away from Sau-dong, with plenty of food/entertainment options.

lifeinkorea · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: somewhere in China

I guess Korussian is right. I thought it was less time to Itaewon, but after looking at the map it is a little further north than the Gimpo airport.

The important note I think here is time, not distance. While it is not too far from Seoul, and I wouldn't consider it "rural", it will take longer than usual if you want to go into Seoul. Perfectly fine for weekend stuff, but don't expect to go there after or before work.

Ask the school about what buses people can take if you want to go to the closest subway. Then, compare this to any bus you can take directly into Seoul. Sometimes it is better to take the bus, other times it won't matter if you have to wait 40 minutes for the next bus. I ran into this south of Seoul.

CPT · Joined: 25 Mar 2007

There are buses across from Gimpo High School that can take you to Sinchon or Gangnam pretty quickly (less than an hour...I think the Gangnam one is somehow only about 40 min).

I still wouldn't want to live there though.

lifeinkorea · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: somewhere in China

olk2 · Joined: 14 Dec 2010

Thanks so much for all of the information; really appreciated!

The school is the Little America school, and it's based in Shinyoung Plaza, if anyone knows where that is?

Only other thing is that the contract says a 30-hour week, and the hours are 10am until 7.30pm. They have said there will be lunch breaks etc during this time. Does this sound standard?

Thanks again for the help!