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Choosing a location
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clewis



Joined: 29 Dec 2010
Location: Anyang, South Korea

PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 7:06 pm    Post subject: Choosing a location Reply with quote

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 Smile
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iselynjenniep



Joined: 01 Jul 2010
Location: bundang

PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 2:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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clewis



Joined: 29 Dec 2010
Location: Anyang, South Korea

PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 8:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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



Joined: 23 Aug 2010

PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:00 am    Post subject: Re: Choosing a location Reply with quote

clewis wrote:

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!
Jinjeoneup Namyangjusi Gyeonggido,


Eup is more or less a town. Put this into Google Earth to see where Jinjeoneup is 진전읍 남양주시

1+million? That's hard to say. The Seoul Metro is something like 24 million, but the feeling can vary greatly depending where in the region you are. I've heard Ilsan has about 500,000, but feels quite like a major urban center. Goyang City as a whole (which includes Ilsan) can be quite rural in some areas.

It sounds like you want to be around Seoul. Just make sure you're in an urban area with good transport links and you should be fine.
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clewis



Joined: 29 Dec 2010
Location: Anyang, South Korea

PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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emmahearst



Joined: 10 Jan 2011

PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 6:44 pm    Post subject: Re: Choosing a location Reply with quote

Cool profile pic.

interestedinhanguk wrote:
clewis wrote:

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!
Jinjeoneup Namyangjusi Gyeonggido,


Eup is more or less a town. Put this into Google Earth to see where Jinjeoneup is 진전읍 남양주시

1+million? That's hard to say. The Seoul Metro is something like 24 million, but the feeling can vary greatly depending where in the region you are. I've heard Ilsan has about 500,000, but feels quite like a major urban center. Goyang City as a whole (which includes Ilsan) can be quite rural in some areas.

It sounds like you want to be around Seoul. Just make sure you're in an urban area with good transport links and you should be fine.
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sallymonster



Joined: 06 Feb 2010
Location: Seattle area

PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 6:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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interestedinhanguk



Joined: 23 Aug 2010

PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 2:04 am    Post subject: Re: Choosing a location Reply with quote

emmahearst wrote:
Cool profile pic.

Thanks! I made it myself Very Happy
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mattdsoares



Joined: 04 Dec 2009

PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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interestedinhanguk



Joined: 23 Aug 2010

PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

mattdsoares wrote:
...this city has everything...

except diversity.
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clewis



Joined: 29 Dec 2010
Location: Anyang, South Korea

PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 8:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

mattdsoares wrote:
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!!!</snip>


LOL.. My family is from Birmingham and I lived there for a couple of years as youngster so I know exactly what you mean. Thank you for the feedback and I think I will push for Seoul or Busan and not settle as was my first reaction. I really do want to live in a large city where I can always find something to do.

Thanks!
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interestedinhanguk



Joined: 23 Aug 2010

PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 9:07 am    Post subject: