Korean Job Discussion Forums

[har4537]

Hi guys. So I'm new to this and just started interviewing for a position in Korea. I've been offered a job in Jeonju and just interviewed for a job in Daegu that I'm feeling good about. Both offers are about the same, so I'm not using that as a deciding factor.

This leads me to my question for you guys... which city would you pick and why? I know they are completely different cities which is making it hard for me to decide .... I've read a lot about traveling to Jeonju but not much from people that have actually lived there. So if anyone has I would love to hear your opinion.

Also I don't necessarily need to be in a big city as long as there are things for me to do. And by things to do I mean some nightlife, cafes, restaurants and shopping. Can anyone break down these aspects between Jeonju and Daegu? Thanks!!!

[Underwaterbob]

I've only spent a little bit of time in either city, but they're both nice enough. Both of them seem to be a little cleaner than the average in Korea.

Daegu is significantly larger than Jeonju. In terms of western amenities, this will make a huge difference. Where you might find one decent Mexican restaurant in Jeonju if you're very lucky, there's likely to be two or three in Daegu. Insert western fare of choice.

Nightlife - same story. Jeonju might have a few foreigner friendly bars. Daegu will have quite a few more. Not that places will actively kick you out if you're not Korean, but if you want to meet up with other foreigners who aren't part of the same few you work with, your chances are much greater in Daegu.

One other consideration: according to some, Daegu women are disproportionately attractive.

[SeoulNate]

[Underwaterbob]

Cohiba's rule - while certainly relevant in its time - hasn't really been relevant for quite a few years now. Nightlife and food outside of Seoul have been trending the way of Seoul for a long time now while ironically Itaewon slowly becomes a homogeneous Korean.

[SeoulNate]

Totally depends on what aspect of you are talking about.

Granted, I havn't lived outside of Seoul since 2009, so my opinion is probably a bit dated.

[har4537]

Thanks for the insight guys! Also I don't necessarily need western things to do/ eat or whatever. I just don't want to be bored if that makes sense.

[Underwaterbob]

[har4537]

Oh yeah I guess I should have mentioned that I've spent a year in China. It was a good sized city and all, but it did get a little boring at times.

I feel like there is such a big difference between China and Korea though. But then again I don't really know I've only been to Seoul for two weeks. That's why I'm asking lol.

[Plain Meaning]

If you like hiking, live on one of the outer neighborhoods of Daegu.

Its been so long since I've lived in Daegu that any other perspective I could give would be dated. I know nothing about Jeonju.

[coralreefer_1]

Daegu, no question.

1. As mentioned, Daegu is a much larger city, and more importantly, has a very darn active foreign community. There are more groups/activities for foreigners to get involved with and make new friends here than any place other than Seoul or Busan. From numerous sporting/activity groups, to the theater troupe, to the trivia nights, to the many other things I cant even begin to recount in terms of activities, Daegu is a place where getting involved in one or several extra-curricular activities is only as simply as choosing what you want to do. I dont know about Jeonju, and for sure there are likely activities there as well, but i assure you the options and choices are nowhere near as diverse.

2. Travel: Jeonju isnt exactly on an extreme end of the country like Seoul or Busan, but the thing is the province Jeonju lies in is (for lack of a better term, "rural". What i mean is, the infrastructure to travel to other parts of the country is more difficult. Most of the cities people want to visit would be something like Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Daejon, Ulsan, Gyungju, etc....all cities and places (other than Seoul) on a different train line. If you were in Jeonju and wanted to travel to one of these places by train (Lets take Gyungju or Busan for example), it would mean traveling to another city, and then transferring to another line. Not that much of a hassle really, and thhe same hold true if you were in Daegu and wanting to travel to the Jeollado provinces, but the thing is there isnt much on those provinces people want to travel for. Living in Daegu affords you a 100 minute trip to Seoul, a 20 minute trip to Gyeongu, a 55 minute trip to Busan on the high speed train, ..all without transfer and with an abundance of trains (regular slower trains) leaving and departing to make planning a trip elsewhere much easier.

There are numerous other reasons, but in the end I highly recommend Daegu for the above reasons as well as many others.

[nicwr2002]

Outside of eating bimbimbap and the Hanok village there isn't that much to do there. Gwangju and Daejeon are both about an hour to an hour and half away by bus. Daejeon being north and Gwangju south.

[acrane86]

If you play softball, there's an awesome softball leauge there. So, that's a plus. It runs from April to mid-June. Daegusoftball.com

[Yaya]

Daegu by a mile. I've visited there and it's getting more happenin' by the year. I've never been to Jeonju but bear in mind that it's the Jeolla provinces, and that area remained economically stalled for a long while.

Going to Seoul from Daegu is also a snap via the KTX bullet train.

[Chaparrastique]

[Stan Rogers]

Countryside isn't a prison like so many make it out to be. If you want easy transportation buy a used car. They don't cost much and insurance is cheap. Many foreigners in the countryside simply refuse to buy a car and liberate themselves, then complain endlessly about how trapped they feel and how hard it is to go anywhere.

Oh and Daegu is freaking hot in the summer.