Korean Job Discussion Forums

[stevieg4ever]

Hi guys

I was looking for some general information on Paju. Can anyone who has lived there share their experiences of the place?

What are the connections like to Seoul? I have heard the train takes 50 minutes to Seoul Station, can anyone confirm that?

Ill be in Seoul every weekend, probably Gangnam, without fail.

Also, is Paju such a big place that I may find myself in the position where my school / apartment is an hour or so from the bus / train station?? I've heard Paju is quite big.

Thanks

[Jimskins]

We've lived in Paju for about 18 months just outside Munsan (which is at the end of the Gyeongi line). We moved here for a better quality of life for our -at that time about-to-be-born- daughter. In terms of housing for half the price of our little two room villa in Jamsil we've got a detached 3 bedroom house with a large garden in a quiet village. The forests of apartment buildings don't start until Unjeong and then continue into Seoul.

As transport goes the only subway line which runs through the centre of the county is the Gyeongi line. I work at Hongik so it's a 55 minute straight shot there. Trains are about every 15 minutes and they've connected the line up so it goes right through Seoul now which is great (although the train to Seoul Station is about one an hour). Most of the major towns in Paju are on this line. The good thing is if you live before Geumcheon, during rush-hour you'll always get a seat. A subway from Munsan to Gangnam takes over 90 minutes. Last train back from Hongdae is about 11:45PM.

Dominating the West of the county running along the river into Seoul is Paju's main highway the jah-yoo-ro, Munsan to Seoul is about 40 minutes. There's not much else there apart from small industrial warehouses and 'Premium Outlets.'

The most rural parts are the North (main town Jeok-Seong) and especially the East (main town Bob-Won). Unless you have a car you'll be relying on buses but both these towns have small bus terminals and are within 30 minutes of the subway line. I have seen public schools out in the countryside outside of these towns so if you were really unlucky (or lucky as the case may be) you could be a 1 hour bus ride from a subway line at the absolute max.

A cycle path that connects up to the Han River route starts at Geumcheon but we're talking a good 90 mins-2 hr ride to Hongdae. There are also shuttle buses from Munsan and Geumcheon to Incheon Airport.

In terms of daily life they have all the same fast food joints and facilities that Seoul has, Munsan has a big Homeplus, a CGV, dentists, Cafe Benne, a library, Lotteria, Dominos, gyms etc. Although some of the bigger names -Starbucks, McDonalds etc are absent until you get closer to Ilsan. For entertainment beyond restaurants and small adjossi or soldier-filled bars you'll want to be heading into Seoul, although Ilsan is also a good night out. I should add that my info is slightly Munsan-centric, I've heard whispers from those that 'kick it' in Geumcheon that that is indeed the place to be ^^

Hope this is useful. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[wonkavite62]

I was about to actually "kick it in Geumcheon" because I was offered a job at Paju English Village/Gyeonggi English Village located in Geumcheon in 2014. The problem was that just as I was moving to Geumcheon, I was told that due to the Sewol Ferry Disaster, student numbers had plummetted so I couldn't come!
Perhaps that job was badly-starred, anyway? If it is the English Village, there will probably be a bus to take you into Seoul from the village entrance, and the commuting time will be towards the longer side of the times quoted by the last poster. English Villages tend to be rural. Geumcheon is very close to the DMZ.

[Scorpion]

I lived in (north) Paju for two years. I had a great time. Rural Korea beats city Korea any day.

And you can tell your folks you live 5 km from North Korea.

[wonkavite62]

You say "rural Korea beats urban Korea any day." That's a subjective statement of course. Other people might swear that Seoul, or Busan or Daegu is simply amazing. And that's what they found, because it's true for them.
Paju sounds an okay place to be. And for those who must visit Seoul, the capital is not too far away.
Let's consider where I am now. I am living in a village. Here are some great advantage: I am not kept awake by noisy neighbours! I don't have to commute! It's so peaceful here! This is sooooo much better than Beijing, where I used to teach. The teachers at this middle school also seem a bit friendlier than at the last Korean public school I was at. And I have a friendly western teacher who is really helping me settle in.
The disadvantages. Shopping! In fact, I left class today on a wave of joy, having done rather well, I thought. The students were happy. But I wanted to buy certain foods, and it turns out that they just don't have certain things-like kimchi for instance, or the chilli flakes that go into kimchi. And the old ladies in the tiny shops here will rip you off. 13,000 won for washing powder! (I didn''t buy). So I am considering using G-MARKET for some things, because I might have to run around a lot and take lots of trips otherwise.

But it is relaxing. And that's important. I am not in a 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. kindie-elementary in Bundang. The school is also quite pleasant. And I can still party at the weekend in Seoul if I want to.

[chellovek]

Well, train-wise, I can confirm that there is a train. They weren't pulling the wool over your eyes on that one.

[creeper1]

I've not heard great things about the "English village" as a place to work.

BTW op it's an entry level job and I know you have been on dave's for years and years (not that I can talk - no progress made in my career either )

Paju? It is a nice place in summer. I only visited. Clean air, quiet etc

However rural Korea for me is simply too boring. If there wasn't quick and convenient transport to at least Ilsan I wouldn't take the job.

[World Traveler]

[creeper1]

Sounds good!

I read your post about female EFL teachers now outnumbering male EFL teachers.

Sweet! I get to meet beautiful Western and Korean women! That's a double bonus!

I will be coming back soon!

Just need a job offering 2.4 million and M-F daytime hours.