Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Aquaricorndos]

Finalizing my EPIK formal application (the one you send in after the interview) and I'm scratching my head over where to prefer to live. I'd like to take a break from big cities so I'm nixing Seoul, Busan and Incheon, but I'm reading the threads and it seems like that's where all the young folks are! Me being a 23 yo guy, I'd like to be able to make friends around my own age group. Being in or near a decent-sized city makes sense in that regard, and would put me somewhere closer to the true Korean culture and environment.

I get to list 5 places to prefer to live in, so right now I'm looking at Daejeon, Gwangju, Daegu, and two random provinces. Are there any suggestions based on people's experiences teaching and living in these cities, or any provinces that deserve a special shout out?

Thanks!

[jamal0000]

I'd pick a small university neighborhood in seoul that's close to mountains or park. Sounds like Sundae off the Hyehwa stop would be perfect for you.

[andrewchon]

Nix Gwangju (twice), Suwon is close to Seoul and Bundang, and not overly crowded.

[Aquaricorndos]

Hmm, didn't think about that. I don't get to pick my placement so much as get assigned one though, and EPIK doesn't place teachers in Gyeonggi.

[Louis VI]

Make Gyeong-sang-nam-do one of your 'random provinces' choices and you would be right around Busan. Everywhere in the province is within an hour or hour and a half of Busan by quick, cheap express bus. I worked in that province for seven years and loved the proximity to Busan as well as the better weather.

[CtotheB]

1. Seoul
2. Busan
3, 4, 5. Doesn't matter

You will regret putting anything else. All other cities are just smaller parodies of Seoul so your interest in finding "real" Korean culture will be for naught. If you want something "exotic" then Seoul is the only place to get it.

Edit: are you not going through EPIK and then SMoE? If you aren't then Seoul isn't an option. GEPIK places people around Gyeonggi do. Sounds like your setting yourself up to be stuck in the middle of nowhere.

[ESL Milk "Everyday]

I often wonder if the people who dismiss the other cities as worthless, boring vacuums have actually ever been outside of Seoul.

The foreigner communities in the smaller towns are a lot more tight-knit and they aren't so cliquey. I honestly can't imagine anyone having a hard time in any of the bigger cities... and Seoul or Busan are easily doable as a weekend trip whenever you feel like it. Most people in Korea spend much of their time with a small group of people anyways... the only thing you might be missing out on by not choosing Seoul or Busan is international cuisine. The other cities have Outback Steakhouses, TGIFriday's, etc... but if you're looking for Greek or Indian (and you can't live without having it all the time), then I guess Seoul is better.

All the cities have things happening, all the cities have ongoing nightlife, all the cities have English-speaking locals, Western food etc. Maybe 10 years ago they were impossible to live in but I can safely say that most foreigners will probably be comfortable in any of the big cities. Gwangju is a fine city with a great arts scene-- the Biennale was incredible last year.

I haven't been to Daegu but Daejeon seemed alright... I'd say Gwangju is a little earthier than Daejeon but they're basically the same thing. Jeonju is a little smaller and I prefer it to Gwangju-- it has Western restaurants, a friendly foreigner community (the younger and older people tend to get along more, I think) and the people are awesome...

You can get to pretty much anywhere you want from any of the smaller cities... and you'll be spending less money on day-to-day living, so by the end of the year if you go to Seoul every so often then you'll probably end up spending the same amount of money... possibly saving more.

There's no denying that Seoul has got a lot going on but it also depends on your interests-- for hiking and outdoors activities, clean air, friendliness or space, it's definitely not the best place... but then again, few cities have really clean air. Also, if you go to Seoul it's very possible that you would go a whole year without ever seeing the rest of the country... if you're okay with that, then that's fine.

I think the best people in Korea are in Joella... but I guess there are all kinds of people everywhere.

[Aquaricorndos]

I lived long-term abroad before (abroad from the US I should say) so going without Western food is actually not that big of a deal I mean once in a while sure, but once in a while you can do a lot of things. I figure the bigger inland cities have enough going on to make them worthwhile for 2-3 years, or the provinces around them, but I read up on these threads how all the young people bail for Seoul and Busan, which makes sense I suppose but I'm not looking for a megacity life again.

@ClotheB: I am going through EPIK, but opting to not go to SMOE. Again, tired of megacities. I like Seoul but am hoping to find a place a little more off-the-beaten path, but still able to provide amenities and entertainment for 20-somethings (I mean, you know, I'd like to meet a nice K-girl...) while being a good place to teach. I'm not looking at this as a cash-cow vacation like some NEATs/GETs do - I want to be a good teacher and really help my students achieve their English goals. So a place where the community is less high-strung (as it usually is in megacities) seems like my kind of environment. Too bad I didn't know Gyeonggi was not part of EPIK, seems like a good area for that.

@Louis: Incidentally, Gyeongnnam was on my list of prospective random provinces. Thanks for the shout out!

Tall order to ask I admit, I appreciate the postings so far! They really are helping me get a sense of the non-Seoul parts of Korea. If anyone else has insight or advice to offer please let me know!

[edwardcatflap]

[alwaysbeclosing100]

the 2012 expo is in yeosu.....probably a cool place to be.....

[comm]

I enjoyed my time in Gwangju, but edwardcatflap has a point.
A year of being stared at and openly talked about has gotten old.

[InDaGu]

Do some research yourself, and ignore absolutely everything you read on this forum.

[edwardcatflap]

[InDaGu]

[edwardcatflap]