Korean Job Discussion Forums

[clewis]

I have all my paperwork and have started looking at areas and speaking with recruiters, my question is that they send me info on locations and I do a Google search to check them out, but I don't really know what I should look for.

I am looking for a well populated area (1 million +) and want an area where I will have plenty of interesting things to check out! But I am not a 20-something female and don't need to party every night. Soooo.. does anyone have suggestions on good locations to look that fit this criteria?

Some of the locations I have been given are: Seongnam Gyeonggido, Jinjeoneup Namyangjusi Gyeonggido, Yongin Gyeonggido, Uijeongbu Gyeonggido.

I am a first timer and these are all public school offers. I appreciate any and all feedback!

Thanks

[iselynjenniep]

i live in seongnam (bundang) and quite enjoy it. it's a big city so there's lots of shopping/good restaurants. i'm not a big party person either but there are a few expat bars should the need arrive. you are still close enough to seoul to go quickly on the weekends.

[clewis]

Thanks for the info, that is what I am looking for

[interestedinhanguk]

[clewis]

Thanks, interestedinhanguk, It sounds like a lot of my research is going to be looking at where the transportation is at since I will be fine as long I can get around.

I know I probably won't find something in Seoul, but after living in the boonies in WA state for the last two years I definitely don't want a rural area. I have been contacted by Korvia about GEPIK as well so I am looking into those areas too.

[emmahearst]

Cool profile pic.

[sallymonster]

You should follow Cohiba's rule, which states that the farther you live away from Seoul, the less fun you'll have. I believe in this rule because I live in Suwon, an hour from Seoul, and I can't wait to move (closer) to Seoul (four more months!).

Busan is an exception to Cohiba's rule. Even though Busan is about as far from Seoul as you can get in Korea (well, except for Jeju), it's a beautiful city with beaches, mountains, and plenty of things to do.

Daegu is another big city that might meet your needs, but I wouldn't know, I haven't been there.

[interestedinhanguk]

[mattdsoares]

I've only ever lives in Seoul but I wouldn't dare live anywhere else. It's the 2nd biggest metro area in the world behind Tokyo. Sure Daegu, Daejeon, Busan are nice, but Seoul is the place to be. Even if you're not a party animal, (I'm not) this city has everything. It would be like getting the opportunity to work in England and voluntarily choosing Birmingham over London, sure Birmingham has some positives...BUT IT'S LONDON!!!

I'm convinced that people that like living out of Seoul have never spent any time in Seoul. Would you rather live in Yonkers or Manhattan?

Also keep in mind if you want to travel to other countries on breaks you'll want to be in the Seoul metro area or at worst Busan. Flights are rather expensive from Korea as it is and flying out of Daegu or another city will just add to that, or you'll have the hastle of having to connect to Seoul via train or bus to fly anywhere. Not cool if you like to travel.

[interestedinhanguk]

[clewis]

[interestedinhanguk]

Ignore the stupid Cohiba's rule. In the Seoul satellite cities like Ilsan, you can have a great urban lifestyle. I can understand wanting to be near Seoul, but you don't need to be in Seoul. Don't forget, competition is higher and thus your pay and housing are likely to be worse than elsewhere.

Anyways, I like Seoul and all, but it's not like it's a top world city on par with New York, London etc. despite it's size.

[ankhetbast]

In a similar vein... What cities are the best for 1) Art Museums and 2) Buddhist Temples? Would my guess of Seoul be accurate on that count?

[RMNC]

^^^ Seoul is the best for anything. There really isn't anything in Korea tha Seoul can't do better, or best, thanks to sheer size. The exception might be Haeundae beach, but Haeundae beach sucks, so it doesn't really matter.

[sirius black]

Ulsan, Daejeon, Kwangju, Daegu and Busan all have at least a million people and are cities outside of the greater Seoul area. They have their own uniqueness. For a variety of things to do, Busan would top the list (3.5 million people as well as a famous beach). Ulsan doesn't have a lot of foreigner hangouts, a couple but is on the ocean and close enough to Busan by bus (hour or so I think) if you want to head out for the day or the weekend. Kwangju has a million and can keep you occupied. Daegu is a big city (2.75 mil) has a few interesting ethnic restaurants and sizeable downtown shopping area that also houses the clubs and bars if you want a night life. Has a huge millitary presence as well (army and air force).
Daejeon is a nice size (1.5 mil), accessible to Seoul by high speed train fairy quickly (1 hr) has multiple areas for night life or socializing and is in the center of the country and a train hub to hit not only Seoul but Daegu and Busan. No beach though but parks. Nice folks as well.
Incheon is also a big city (2.8 mil or so) but its near enough to Seoul that I kinda count it as a suburb athough Incheon folks will be upset at that characterization. They do have a foreigner presence with bars, etc. but being so close to Seoul (the airport is there) and with a new train line you will be going to Seoul for the vast majority of your cultural outtings.

Outside of Seoul in the suburbs/gyeoungi do areas can vary drastically. There are places that is relatively close to Seoul and accessible easiy by bus or train but very quiet and not much happening. Suwon and Bucheon come to mind as places that have a large population (just under a million) and their own thriving foreign communities but with the added advantage of being easily accessible to Seoul.