Korean Job Discussion Forums

[keflyn]

Just wondering what are some nice cities to live in for a first timer in South Korea. Other then Seoul, which I'm sure most of you will mention!

[FDNY]

There are no cities other than Seoul. Everything else is a local yokel backwater.

[carleverson]

Pocheon and Paju are very nice cities to live in.

[sallymonster]

Seoul, Busan, or very close to Seoul (Bundang, Gwacheon, Gwangmyeong).

[Steelrails]

Depends on what you're looking for. I personally prefer a small town. It's more intimate, strangers are much nicer, good outdoors activities, good expat community, better air, chance to be alone sometimes, get to experience REAL Korea, better food (in certain ways), parents tend to be passionate but supportive (to the teacher) about English.

Or you could follow Cohiba's Rule, which I'm sure someone will post here, which comes down to the farther you are from Seoul, the more difficult life will be. Keep in mind this was conceived of by a guy who had a porn star as his avatar.

Most of the expats I know enjoy living in a smaller town. That's not to say that they don't take weekend junkets all the time, but that's actually a good thing- The weekend is for weekend behavior and activities (makes it special). The weekday is for having a sober social dinner or cooking at home, reading, light hobbies, good movies/TV, regular sports, etc. Great for saving money, just don't go overboard during the weekend trips to Seoul/Busan

[FDNY]

[kardisa]

I thoroughly enjoy living in Gwangju. It's a mid-size city that has all of the necessary amenities (movie theaters, malls/shopping areas, western food, etc.) and a tight-knit foreign community. It's also a bit warmer than Seoul in the winter.

[keflyn]

I don't want to live in a massive city to be honest. One of the reasons I won't be applying for Seoul, I've lived in London and that sort of atmosphere is just not my cup of tea. I was interested in hearing about some of the more smaller cities. I'd like a happy medium between the city and the more rural areas, I don't want to be totally bored on my first visit to a new country.

[Totti]

[Robert23]

[BaldTeacher]

I lived in Daejeon for my first year and it was great. Good times, good friends, good drinks and good women (mostly).

Just because you don't live in Seoul doesn't mean that there isn't a good nightlife, there aren't fine women and that there won't be plenty to do.

I think one of the better off satellite towns of Seoul might be a better bet though. Who knows what my first year may have been like if I'd lived in Bucheon or Seoul, or Busan.

[partymop]

Speaking from personal experience, I would strongly recommend the satellite cities around seoul for the first time. I lived in Guri and my experience was great. There were enough foreigners to get a really solid group, but you were still segregated enough that you were pretty much forced to become tight with those people. Seoul is still an easy enough trek, and it helps because you tend to all go and come back together. And during the week, there really isnt any other options but your local haunts that everyone hangs out in. When i moved to seoul in my second year, i found people more kept to themselves and their agendas, or groups they had earlier established. But fortunately, I still had lots of good friends from my first year, and then eventually started meeting more seoul people.
Anyways, thats my two cents. Guri was good. Similar cities that are still very near seoul include : Anyang, Ilsan, Bundang, Bucheon but I can't personally vouch for them

[Kimchifart]

[Kimchifart]

[edwardcatflap]