Korean Job Discussion Forums

melvaughn · Joined: 11 May 2006

Anyone here from Asan that can tell me about the city? I know it's a suburb but is it isolating? Are there any foreign restaurants/bars/shopping there or do you have to go to Cheonan for that? I'm moving there in Sept so would like to know some things about the city.

sojusucks · Joined: 31 May 2008

It's rural. The closest city is Pyeongtaek. That's all I know. Maybe someone else can fill in more details.

mycamaro · Joined: 17 Apr 2011

Asan! It's right next to the bigger more exciting city of Cheonan. Literally so, that the subway station that runs along the border of the two cities has to be called Cheonan/Asan station. It's a subway, train, and KTX station. Don't get confused, Cheonan already has it's own " Cheonan Station " in their city, but had to put their name on the border one. Probably because of the KTX and the competition of the two fast growing cities. If your not famaliar with the KTX, you should look it up if you plan on doing any high speed slightly more expensive traveling.
Yes, you will have to go to Cheonan for the better shopping, eating, and bar areas. Asan has it's perks, there are foreigners there that have a little group and get together every so often to eat and and talk "fast english". Because at most schools or hagwons, you can't talk normal speed or fast english with the co-teachers. There's also more foreigners who work for Samsung, LG, the power plant, and some German nuclear plant. Most of them go to Cheonan to shop, eat, and party. There are many local buses ( usually 900 series ) that go to and through Cheonan. Just that they stop running around 10:15 pm. So a little expensive taxi ride home for ya.
uhh, any more questions? I lived in Cheonan for a year, be glad to tell you what I can.

ChrisLamp · Joined: 27 Jul 2010

Asan SUCKS. Super rural and full of racism. Expect to feel completely unwelcome. Be prepared to die of boredom. There is nothing fun to do here at all. Hardly any foreigners. There is a Popeye's, Dunkin Donuts, Baskin Robbins and a really small E-Mart. If you want to meet any foreigners, go to Wa-Bar.

Cheonan is much better but is about a 40-45 minute bus ride away.

melvaughn · Joined: 11 May 2006

Thanks! I haven't actually signed the contract yet so I might try and find a school in Cheonan instead. I was living in Gwangju a few years ago and I thought that was a pretty ugly city but it was at least big/convenient.

I'm really into hiking so I like that Asan has a lot of mountains but it sounds like Chonan is a better place to live. Any beaches in Asan?

In terms of foreign teachers/social life, Asan isn't that great then? I assume Cheonan would have a bigger group of foreigners at least.

I'm familiar with WA bar. Please tell me that's not the only bar!

mycamaro · Joined: 17 Apr 2011

No, there's more than Wa bar. But, at the other side of town furthest from Asan. . . One place about a 20 minute walk from the Cheonan/Asan station in Sangyoung. Not sure of the number of foreigners, but if your in Shin Shi Gae area, used to be Yawoori. Day time you'd see a foreigner every 30 min or so. Other areas, every day at least. Hagwons are everywhere. But, like any other place. You don't get along with everyone.
Mountains, there's a few in the area. I think a couple you can take a local bus to. But your better off joining one of the 5 or 6 mt. hiking groups on www.meetup.com Seoul, Korea. They usually meet in Seoul and then bus away somewhere on the weekends. I had one friend who worked in Asan, but lived in Buldang. It's real close to the station. His hagwon would pick him up and take him home every day. He was really glad, so that he could go out on weeknights and such without living so far away. Other Asan people I knew would usually have to leave by 10:15 to catch a bus back to Asan. The taxi could cost up to 30 bucks, specially after midnight. That's when the starting fare nearly doubles and the rate is higher. Or, just rough it out all night partying till around 5:30 am when the buses started again.

mycamaro · Joined: 17 Apr 2011

oh, beaches. No. I had to go to Daecheon for that. About a 8 dollar train ride, and a local bus fare.
There's about 4 or 5 bars that are popular for foreigners. In Cheonan. Asan has it's own bus terminal, so that's a plus if ya wanna travel.
If you can't find a job in Cheonan, which is I think plenty busy with hagwons. Then maybe see if your current job offer can place your home in Cheonan like my friend. If they won't give you a ride, they could easily find out the bus route for ya. If one exists close enough to your school. It sounds like you intend to be social and not stay in your room on weeknights. That's cool, I think that most don't. At least half the weekends I went to Seoul because I had friends there, would sightsee, and just to get out of Cheonan.

jlb · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

I've lived in Asan for a few years and made a little site with basic information about Asan:

http://www.squidoo.com/asansouthkorea

It answers some of your questions.

Beaches? No. But, Pyeongtaek port/Asan Seawall is not too far. Like less than a 30 minute drive from downtown Asan.

Hiking: Amazing! But only if you have your own transport. A scooter would be perfect.

Social life? If you work for a big uni, then yes, you will meet a lot of foreigners and have a good time. If you work for a small hagwon, you might find it difficult to meet people. And, it actually seems like most people end up spending a lot of time in Cheonan.

melvaughn · Joined: 11 May 2006

Great link. I came across that site while searching about Asan so I had already read most of it. How do I get a scooter? I would LOVE to ride one again. I rode one for six months when I was living in Tongyong and it was great!

jlb · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

I'll sell you my scooter! I recently got a car. Or, just go to a bike shop and see what you like.