Korean Job Discussion Forums

Eunoia · Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2004 6:51 pm Post subject:

Just remember one thing:

B.C. *really* means Bring Ca$h.

(Well, it also means Best Cannabis, but that's another thread....)

PatrickSiheung · Joined: 21 May 2003

Thanks all for the great response to this thread!

Victoria sounds like a great place but I do like big cities. I've enjoyed Seoul so much and although I do enjoy nature, I will get bored if that's all there is. Are there many things to do? Even though Victoria sounds nicer, I'm leaning towards Vancouver because of all the different things to do. Sounds like a better place for someone young and wanting some excitement.

I'm not too worried about the job situation in Vic or Van, but I am curious about the business situation there. Anyone have an opinion on whether or not it's a good place to start a business? I'd like to live in an area that's a little entrepreneur friendly. My wife and I have toyed with the idea of opening a little gimpap shop or mandu place.

Mithridates - the area you mentioned sounds great. I would definitely miss Korea once there. It would be great to have a library so close too! Roughly how much would I be looking at for a nice apartment there?

Coulter - thanks but not much of a winter sports person. Perhaps someday I'd like to take up snowboarding though. They have any bunny slopes where you mentioned? lol

Thanks again all.

Draven · Joined: 03 Feb 2003

Zed · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street

There's also a sizeable library at Metrotown in Burnaby if you don't mind living in Suburbia.

There's lots to do in the wilds around Van also. Try out Capilano and Lynn Canyons for decent day hikes. You can also get to some of the closest 3 mountains north of town. Grouse would be the most common to hike on since there's a cable car to the top for easy access. Even more remote is the area around Indian Arm but this is a little further to get to.

coulter · Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Location: Gangwon-Do

There are plenty of bunny slopes and good ski schools. If you are in Vancouver, it would be easy to go for a weekend. Enjoy B.C.!!

mithridates · Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 5:53 am Post subject:

We paid 1100 a month for a 1st-floor two-bedroom apartment right on Robson and Thurlow, right in the centre of everything and five or so blocks from the library. From what I could tell we had just about the cheapest two-bedroom place in the whole area.

The other option you might want to think about is Joyce. Joyce is a station about 25 minutes from downtown by Skytrain, right next to Burnaby. Joyce is cheaper than downtown and has nicer air. There are also a lot of Korean stores there but they are more the convenience store / restaurant variety whereas the stores downtown are geared more towards younger exchange students. The other good thing about Joyce is that it's within one zone on the Skytrain so it doesn't cost that much money to go downtown. If you can get an apartment right next to Joyce station there that's a few hundred dollars cheaper than one downtown it might be worth it.

Also, it's insanely easy to find a Japanese / Korean roommate if you need one. Some people are willing to stay in the living room itself if you give them their privacy and aren't too loud - you can make an extra $300 or so a month that way, and they get to live cheap and stay with an English-speaking roommate at the same time. Just don't get a crazy roommate like I had. Most are nice.

PatrickSiheung · Joined: 21 May 2003

The Joyce area sounds good, does Burnaby. Those three areas you mentioned... are they within walking distance to a grocery store too? I won't have a car for my first year there and need to walk to places like that.

Also, I won't be getting a roommate. I'll be living with my wife and being quiet isn't an option Wink

Bubbliee · Joined: 03 Jul 2003 Location: Kelowna, BC Canada

Well I just came back to BC, specifically Kelowna. The guys are right for the most part for great weather and beauty you don't need to look farther than Kelowna. I love it here. The only drawback as to what you are looking for is size. the population of kelowna is just under 200,000, but we are only a 4 hour drive away from Vancouver. If your heart is set on Victoria or Vancouver I would recommend Vancouver because when you are in Victoria (on the island) you are kinda isolated because that damn ferry is EXPENSIVE! Victoria is nice, but I would never want to have to deal with that ferry. One of my friends moved there a couple of years ago and I have not been to visit, neither have most of her other friends because adding the ferry fee makes the trip just a little too expensive. Good Luck!

Eunoia · Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 10:15 pm Post subject:

Hey, Bubbliee, welcome back to the (sometimes) sunny Okanagan! I just got back to Vernon a week ago myself. You want to talk about the drawbacks of being small? Come on up the road a bit and see me... er, wait, that didn't come out like I thought it would... Embarassed

kitkat · Joined: 14 Feb 2004 Location: Busan

If you're in the ESL field it shouldn't be hard trying to get a job in Vancouver, especially if you're there in the summer. There are close to 200 private ESL schools in the downtown core alone. Many of them require you to substitute teach first but the summer is high season so you can get in quicker. Having lived in Vancouver for 13 years, I would recommend the Mount Pleasant/City Hall area or Kits for an apartment. You're more likely to find good deals around City Hall (last year I lived in a converted house, 1200sqft for $1000/month). Everything's within walking distance in both these areas. Be aware though, the property crime rate is high. If you want to avoid it, you need to look at the suburbs. But, having lived in North Delta for several years, I would highly recommend downtown over the Lower Mainland, especially if you don't have a car. Too many strip-malls! Good luck.

Zed · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street

Beware of Surrey though. It gets a little too close to Deliverance out that way.

PatrickSiheung · Joined: 21 May 2003

LOL

Is property crime a problem for those living in apartments? I'm assuming if I get a nice apt there will be sufficient security there. I love my DVDs and surround sound. I'd hate to have that stolen while living there Confused

Eazy_E · Joined: 30 Oct 2003 Location: British Columbia, Canada

I'm from the Okanagan region of BC (Vernon, actually). It's a beautiful part of the world, but I can't imagine I'll stay there in the long term. The employment situation is just too difficult.

It has a similar problem to Vancouver and Victoria: many people want to live there for the scenic beauty and lifestyle and they flood the job market. Even low-wage McJobs are hard to come by. If I wanted to avoid having a job for some reason, that's where I would go.

zee · Joined: 23 Feb 2004 Location: omnipresent

Yay!

I am really excited to see so many fellow BCers here.

I grew up in Victoria and lived in Van for the two years before I came here. I really love Victoria, but it would seem sooooooo dead after living in Seoul. But if you are into beaches and easy access to the woods, it's the place to be. There is the whole it's on an island thing, and the ferry can be a pain in the ass, but once you're there it's really beautiful. Really clean air. I miss it. Crying or Very sad

From what I have read so far it looks like you would be happiest in Vancouver, probably Kits or upper Main would do you fine. Walking distance to grocery stores for sure, and both have great walking districts with lots of good local businesses that really support one another. No need for a car anywhere in Vancouver really, with the buses you can get anywhere, and it is very bike friendly.

And hello? you are thinking of opening a kimbap / mandu place?
Very Happy

I will be your best customer when I get back (seriously). Very Happy

Since coming here I am obsessed with kimbap. I think it would do well for sure.

I really love Commercial Drive too, which is a great strip of all kinds of funky little stores, and great fresh produce. Although it is "East Side" so it is more on the "bad" side of town, crime wise.

Don't be freaked out by all the crime stuff though. If you are looking for an apartment, then you are set (just go above ground floor) I think crime is worse the more available you are (like ground floor, or a basement suite)

Good luck! And good choice (BC), I can't wait to get back.

Eazy_E · Joined: 30 Oct 2003 Location: British Columbia, Canada

I went to university in Victoria, and it's a lovely city. It doesn't have the spectacular natural setting of Vancouver, but the city itself is so attractive. The streets are clean, there's little industry, and the heritage buildings have been kept up so well. The bus system is efficient too. The wealth in that city could practically paint the streets with gold. I really miss my old haunts there. So many good restaurants, pubs, and clubs... I think I'm due for a visit.