Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Otherside]

[ttompatz]

[Otherside]

[atwood]

[bossface]

I agree on the Bundang stuff. I lived there for a month, and it was way easier to get to Gangnam or even Itaewon than when I lived in Nowon.

People keep missing the point on this Caffe Bene Factor. I am in no way praising Caffe Bene itself, I am just saying that it stands as a harbinger of civilization. If you live near a Caffe Bene, there will be interesting bars and restaurants near you. If not, there probably won't be.

I live in Cheonan now, yes, near a Caffe Bene, which means I live in one of the more interesting parts of Cheonan. My hood is Wehgook dull compared to the cool parts of Seoul, but it is a more interesting and convenient place to live than some of the outer gu in Seoul.


figshdg - what city were you just outside?

[3DR]

I have lived in Suwon and Incheon, and visit Seoul pretty frequently. Couldn't live there though.

I have friends from Daejeon and could easily live there.

Seoul does have mostly everything one could want, but if what you need are western restaurants, good supermarket like homeplus, electronics markets, etc, you can find those in pretty much every medium to large city in Korea now.

Only visit Seoul for the museums, big events, etc.

[dairyairy]

Things are clearly better than they once were, that's for sure. Having a store like Costco in some locations outside of the Seoul area does make a big difference in certain places. Plus, the larger outlets around Korea do help with shopping choices. But when you get down to it, for shopping, it's still the Seoul area that is the clear winner.

[yellowdove]

Every place in Korea has its pros and cons. I've lived in three different cities (clearly listed under my username) and I've liked each one of them for different reasons.

Daejeon is great if you want to see the country because it's smack in the middle. A wonderful transportation hub. Really great expats as well, with a very active facebook group (perfect for noobs).

Masan was nice because it was quieter, had a decent expat community, and attached to two different cities, each having its own flavour. Plus, its super close to Busan, and nice and close to a fairly major airport.

Seoul has many things to keep you busy, and nice shopping, but unless you manage to find a decent group of friends here you're going to be lonely. I know plenty of people who have left Seoul because they found the expat community to be cold and unwelcoming.

I have a difficult time trying to pick my favourite place to live out of the three. Masan would probably be my least favourite, just because it is so small, but between Daejeon and Seoul it really is a toss-up.

[PatrickGHBusan]

That rule may have had partial validity 10 years ago and even then it was kind of dumb.

Now with the KTX, online access to almost everything (ex: gmarket) Costco and the diversification of other cities in terms of offerings, that rule has become a sad little joke.

I for one would choose to live in Busan everytime over Seoul. No contest.

Seoul does have a lot to offer but other areas of Korea too and this all depends on each person and their preferences I think. A couple we know just bought an apt in Jeju and are moving there. It suits them. I would not move there but visiting is a lot of fun.

Busan has everything I need and living there again would be no problem.

[dairyairy]

[cdninkorea]

I suppose this isn't an issue for most on this forum, but cost of property is a major consideration for people like me (married, planning on being here for the medium term at least). In Busan, a Xii apartment (with an ocean view) sells for around 300 million won. By contrast, 300 million isn't even nearly enough for jeonsae at a Xii apartment anywhere in Seoul, let alone in the city centre (we looked long and hard for a decent place with a 100 million won jeonsae).

If 300 million buys you an apartment in one of the nicest apartment complexes in Busan, a decent apartment must be downright affordable. And that's Korea's second largest city, by no means a backwater country town. Imagine what a luxury apartment in Daegu or Gwangju goes for!

[12ax7]

[12ax7]

[12ax7]

[Died By Bear]

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