Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Moldy Rutabaga]

Hello all

I have a new university job in Ansan. Ansan is OK but feels sleepy and isolated (and this is after living in Daegu for four years), and I don't think my family will be happy there. The apartments are older, and it's surprisingly distant from Seoul. I get stares and shouted 'hello's from children in a way I haven't seen in years.

I don't know much about the Gyeonggi area. Any recommendations for nearby cities to live in with a little more fun, from people who have lived in Suwon / Anyang / Gunpo / Incheon / others? I'm past my clubbing days, but it would be nice to have more amenities than coffee shops. Thanks.

[modernseoul]

If you live/work on the Western side of town then Songdo in Incheon might be worth a look.
If you're on the Eastern side then Anyang has good access to Seoul and is a nice place to live.
Also if you don't drive you'll need to take the commute into account. As you know public transport in Korea is great, but often finding a direct bus can be a hassle.

[Stan Rogers]

[Aine1979]

I live in Songdo, and it's a good area for people with families - there are two lovely big parks, with boat and bicycle hire, and in Central Park, the Tri-Bowl regularly has shows and exhibits which are good for families.

There's an outdoor pool set up in the summer, and Songdo Convensia always has attractions for children, for example it had one of those sledding snow centres over the winter.

There's also a place which the kids in my school call the 'strawberry museum', I'm not quite sure what it is, but they seem to go there a lot.

There's a lovely large new Lotte Mart which just opened in December, and a Lotte Department Store and mall which will be opening next year. Also, the NC Cube mall at Canal Walk is lovely. The Square One mall, which has EMart and Homeplus, is only a 5 minute drive away, and there's a Costco less than an hour away.

[Moldy Rutabaga]

Thanks all so far.

I should add that Hanyang is on the very eastern tip of Ansan. Songdo has a good reputation, but for some reason it's a spaghetti tangle of subway stops to get there from Hanyang station. :>

[Stan Rogers]

I know somebody in Songdo and he loves it there. Good place for a family. He says that having a car is really a plus if you are commuting to Seoul but there is a bus that goes to Gangnam and it takes about an hour. He said if you are going to Seoul station from Songdo you should go to Incheon airport (20-25min)and then take the express train into Seoul. They even have a bus that goes to the Gwangmyung KTX station that just happens to be next to Costco.

Just adding my 2 cents.

[Aine1979]

The stretch of the Suin line which goes to Hanyang doesn't re-open until December 2015, until then the journey involves more stops and takes quite a bit longer.

[Weigookin74]

Go where you get the best job and working conditions. Worry less about the location.

[Lazio]

It also depends on your budget for housing. Anyang is easily 20-30% more expensive than Ansan.

[Weigookin74]

[Lazio]

[Moldy Rutabaga]

As it turns out I will probably be living in Songdo. I went there skeptically because it's isolated, but it's beautiful-- uncrowded, wide streets, nice new parks and a mall with canals. Jeonse is still pretty cheap there as the apartments are anxious to get people in there. A bit of a pain to commute, but doable. Thanks to those who recommended it.

My uni did offer provided housing, but I'm spoiled and wanted something nicer. :>