Korean Job Discussion Forums

[D. Darko]

So, what's it like to live in a small Korean town? Any good small towns near Seoul or Busan you can recommend? Is housing better in small towns? I'm hoping to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly.

[FDNY]

EVERYONE should read and memorize this.

Seoul is EVERYTHING in Korea.

Remember "Cohiba's Rule" (Now better than ever!):

Think twice before you live outside of Seoul. "In Seoul" and
"outside of Seoul" are like two different countries. Seoul
is an interesting place with variety and venues for most
tastes. Outside of Seoul you will find a homogeneous Korean
culture. I don't mean this in a bad way, but you will never
find things like: French, Greek, Indian or any other ethnic
foods. Markets that sell sherry, pate, pastrami, ricotta cheese.
Specialty shops that sell Cuban cigars, European pies, cold
cuts or rye breads. Just to name a few things. Also clubs such
as photography, drama, public speaking, sailing are 99% in
the capital city. If you want to experiment with a very Korean
culture, which unfortunately means "closed", then choose the
countryside. If you want to make money and have the lifestyle
choices similar to a western country, then there is no other
choice than Seoul.

The FFF RULE: FFF=Fun For Foreigners.

If FFF in Seoul = 100, then FFF decreases at
1/distance. So 2km from Seoul FFF=1/2(100)=50;
10km from Seoul FFF=1/10(100)=10. This rule is
a rule for nightlife, food and foreign products only.
Nature etc. is on a different scale altogether.

This means you will be wasting a lot of time commuting
to Seoul. This is especially a drag if you have been
boozing on a Friday night and there are no buses or
trains.

[JustinC]

[asdfghjkl]

I live in Namhae, which is pretty rural and far from Seoul. I find that there's a lot more for me to do here, but I don't think that would be the case for everybody. I like to ride my bike a lot, go hiking, and do other things outdoors. Even if I can't conveniently eat roast pheasant and have greased up thralls spoonfeed me caviar out of a golden chalice, I don't mind having to drive twenty minutes to Homeplus to get burrito ingredients.

I think the people (Koreans and foreigners) are friendlier here than in Seoul and Gyeongi-do, too.

The job I got here is a lot better than anything I was offered in Seoul or Gyeonggi-do, which was also an important consideration. Seoul is everything, so everybody wants to live there, but life still goes on.

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

Don't listen to FDNY. I can get Arabic, California-style, Indian, Italian, and Western Pub-style in Incheon, to list a few. We also have some foreign-food shops, though not as good as those in Itaewon. There is always internet shopping, anyway.

It's surely not rural (a mere 45 minutes from Seoul by subway, and one of the largest cities in Korea) but it's not as lacking in stuff to do. We've got Shinsegae and Lotte department stores, as well. The Incheon Shinsegae is their most profitable department store in all of South Korea.

[Pablo]

[Who's Your Daddy?]

If the city has a Home Plus or E mart, that's all you need.

[Pablo]

All you need is love.

[northway]

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

[Pablo]

Please delete

[shostahoosier]

To the OP, "small" is relative in Korea.

Some people considers towns of 100,000 people to be small. As someone who lives in a town of about 4,000 people I beg to differ.

If you can get to one of the large cities within 1-2 hours, then your life will be livable.

Or...if you live on the coasts (my friends who live in Gangneung and Sokcho in Gangwon-do province love their beaches) you'll probably find life enjoyable too.

Unless you're from a small town in the U.S./Canada (or whatever country you're from) you probably wont find Seoul to be overly exciting, though it does present more options than pretty much anywhere else in Korea.

As for getting foreign foods - internet shopping in Korea is amazing and most deliveries only take about a day to arrive.

Housing can be hit or miss. Some places give you a 1 bedroom apartment (so you'd have a social room and bedroom). Because my town is so small there aren't a lot of housing options so my one room (kitchen, bedroom, living room all in one room) is pretty much all there is, but I still love it! I've learned to stop being an American consumer and to only buy things that I need or have the space for. When I return home I'll probably only live in studios.

[D. Darko]

Tis I, the OP. Thanks to all for your responses. I actually used to live and teach in Korea, though it's been several years. So I know Seoul pretty well. I also worked and lived on corporate campuses in Yong-In and Pyungtaek, but spent most free time in Seoul. So, I honestly don't remember much about the city layouts / neighborhoods.

Anyway, I'm just looking to hear from people who are actually integrating with their little, or not quite little, communities. In particular, I would literally like to have a house with a yard, which is why I'm thinking of a small town - hopefully not too far from a large city.

I'm wondering just how much of a pipe dream this is. Maybe a large rooftop in Itaewon will suffice. Thanks again, and keep'em coming...

[minos]

THe problem with rural korea is the complete lack of young people.

Korea's a pretty old country as is....out in the boonies people age 22-35 magically disappear.

This has a negative impact on a town's lifestyle and future outlook.

If there is a beach, expect no beach bunnies and surfers.
If there is an amazing forest and mountain, don't expect lots of young down hill bikers, naturalists, and climbers.

Elderly koreans pretty much enjoy everything.....Korean style to the MAX.

Shopping sucks; if you wear anything bigger than a size 10 shoe or American small buy your clothing before coming.

Dating prospects in a small town blow....it's not a matter of opinion. Popular statistics bear this out...most young women bolt off to Seoul or another major city ASAP. Ignore the posts of people claiming to be small town pimps...they simply aren't there statistically(young people) unless a big college is in town.

English level is near abysmal. There will be 5 guys who speak English....they are your friend.

I lived in a small town with a sweet college job. I had a motorcycle so I could travel around alot. It was fun; but even 6 + months would get old. Let along a year in a normal hagwon without a car or motorcycle *shudder*.


People are not friendlier. Many on Dave's esl can't speak korean and can't detect when an older person is mocking them(often) or just being rude verbally.

I can't think of a single positive compared to Seoul or cities except clear blue skies/less pollution, bigger apartments, and slightly cheaper food/drink.

If they attracted more young people out there and had scenes(like a beach scene for example) they'd be pretty chill....I think areas near ski resorts might fit that bill.

EDIT: cohiba's rule should add busan. Busan seems pretty tight from what everyone has told me.

[hiamnotcool]