Korean Job Discussion Forums

[just because]

I do occasionally but it definantly keeps me on my toes. Especially since I grew up driving on the left hand side of the road, all those automatic functions(especially when driving a manual) you have to continually stop.

However as Homer pointed out, public transportation is so good here(especially the bus and subway networks) you don't really need a car.

The only time i drive is when I go on my countryside excursions which is where a car is useful.

[itaewonguy]

I could not imagine living here without a car!!!
when I first came here I didnt drive the first 8 months.. didnt really need to. pretty much just rode the subway and buses I was 22 and just a traveler. then came back in 99 again I didnt see the reason for the car I just stayed in Itaewon that lasted 8 months again..

then came back in 2001 and got a car after one month being here..
because I rememebered how much the BUSES and SUBWAYS SUCKED!!
so I have had my car for over 3 years now.. and have driven it EVERYDAY!! so yeah .. just call me a cab driver!! I know the fastest way to here, to there, which bridge which interstate etc!!! its real easy now..
and a much better way to travel..
I would die without my car!!!

[Homer]

[cacheSurfer]

[ajuma]

Living in the country, a car is a BIG plus! Especially when you need to take 2 buses to get to a decent store. (Then tote everything home!) If I lived in a big city with convenient transportation, I wouldn't bother! Red lights? Depends on the time of day...or night!

Americans have been complaining about $2 a gallon gas prices. WTF??? I'm paying over $4 a gallon! But I wouldn't be without my car for anything!

[elmer]

I drove for 2 years in Korea and had a blast. Really no stress at all. I lived in a smaller city so maybe that's why. Driving into Taegu, Kwangju, Inchon weren't really bad at all. Never drove in Seoul though, but mostly because I had no idea where to go!

It's a great way to get around to places where buses don't go. As well as having your own schedule...

I think for the Seoullites who never leave the city, having a car is probably not all that necessary.

[fidel]

I've had my car for two years now and it's invaluable in getting me out and about to see the city and out of Seoul. I put on about 250 km's a week and have driven all over the place, into all those areas you don't have the opportunity to go if you travel by bus or train. I also have a wife and a baby and wouldn't put either of them in jeopardy by trusting their lives to a taxi or bus driver.

For those who haven't driven it's not as stressful and terrible as you think. At least it isn't after the first few days behind the wheel learning the local customs and attuning yourself to anticipate random actions of other drivers and pedestrians.

[crazykiwi]

yep, i drive a "autobike" for 3 months now. love it so much, how much fun is it cruzing down the middle of a traffic jam waving at all those suckers in there metal boxes!haha. very dangerous but oh so fun! and yes, as others have said, the rain does bite a##!

btw. does anyone know for a fact, weather or not i need a liscence to drive a scooter? rung the police office when i first got my bike and they didnt really know?? the shop man said no, and so did my boss. but i got pulled up the other day for a dodgy move, and he asked for my liscence. i evntually just pleaded ignorence and he let me go, no fine for dodgy move or no liscence! sweet! but any advice on this matter would be appreciated. cheers and laterz

crazy

[weatherman]

These days I am beginning to think that I would love to drive. Don't know why.. but to have the freedom to head out into the country side would be great and explore the some of the side valleys off of the main roads.

[Intrepid]

I take the car to school, mostly. For drinking engagements, or places more easily reached by bus, well, obviously not. But getting to school un-sweaty and pressed is great.
And having Fridays off, well, the car gets me to Chiaksan in 1h10 and Sorak in 2h10, door to maepyoso, if you will! Try beating that time on the bus.

[captain kirk]

Korea is the number one country in the world for accidents (someone said on this forum; don't know if it's true). I'd believe it. At the same time I like the 'unregulatedness' of the roads because, driving a motorbike, I can do things that, in Canada, would buy me a ticket. Like drive between the cars when they're stalled in a traffic jam (or alongside a jam on a single lane highway).
The 'unregulatedness' includes intersections which aren't well-designed but no-one's re-designed them, yet. For example a kind of 'Y' intersection which depends on the drivers granting each other right of way. But no-one grants right of way and the rule seems to be 'give right of way to the most insistent' (or largest vehicle).
I 'hang back' compared to other bike riders I've seen but even so there's usually one adrenaline jolt to the heart a day. Someone suddenly stops in front of me or cuts me off or tries to nudge me aside. Or comes out of nowhere. Or is driving way too fast.
But it sure beats waiting for the bus!!!!!!!
Plus the scenery out in the country is another world.

[Wangja]

No porblem for me having driven for nearly 6 years. I appreciate the high level of discipline, order and consideration for others in the driving in Seoul.

I have driven in some places where the driving has been terrible.