Korean Job Discussion Forums

Vision · Joined: 26 Aug 2004

I am looking for a job in South Korea and think that Seoul might be the best location to choose, as it gaurantees me the option of meeting other English speakers and perhaps joining some social clubs. I love the country life, would like to try my hand at sking and would like to meet people I could go hiking with. Can yee advise if there are other great places to choose from that offers these options. What are your fav cities. Thanks for your help, its appreciated.

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

My favorite cities are Seoul, Seoul, Seoul (in that order). Kwang-ju in Cholla-do is okay, too.

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

I've lived in Kwangju, and didn't like it. It's a relatively big city what, six hours from Seoul by bus? A big city stranded on a plain, in an out of the way southern province. But that was its charm, and that's what I liked about it. Go out into the countryside and the people and old style villages are back, back in time. The sea is nearby and the coastal areas are interesting, though the beaches are on the shallow, Yellow Sea. Mokpo, an hour south of Kwangju, is nice. It's not harried or busy in Chollanamdo province.
I'm in Ulsan now and it's the best place in Korea I've lived. Lived in Kwangju (three years), Chuncheon (north, near DMZ), Cheonan (hour south of Seoul), but Ulsan has the clean East sea nearby and Pusan is only an hour (35kms) south. A lot of teachers like Pusan. In ads looking for a job at a school, saying they're available, looking for a school near Hyundai beach Laughing

. However, the people aren't as openly friendly and smiling as Pusaners, I noticed. It's said the people in Ulsan are here from all over Korea and for an industrial/factory related job since Ulsan is the industrial city of Korea (oil, shipbuilding). Pusan is the second biggest city and a lot of people like it. Close to Japan, ferry for 150,000 won or so. Mild weather. Can take a ferry to Jeju. Etc. Not to mention Hyundai beach again. If you're asking 'which way's the beach?', then the answer would be Pusan.

Harpeau · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Coquitlam, BC

I love Seoul very much. But last week my wife and I fell in love with Sogwipo, on Jeju-Do. Very beautiful town! We may head down there to live one day down the road. It's a very charming small city!

ryleeys · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Columbia, MD

Icheon...

An hour bus ride (for US$3) from Seoul, so you don't feel isolated. But it's definitely a small town. Very different from an American small town... but you do start to think of it as a small place after a while. The market street downtown is where everything is and it's pleasant to just walk up and down it for an evening. Plenty of restaurants, bars, noraebangs, pool halls. You'll know everyone if you want, nobody if you want... you'll even be recognized by restaurant and bar owners after a short time. It's nice to be able to become a regular. It's also a short bus ride from Yeoju (a really small place) which has history oozing out of everything (King Sejong's Tomb, Empress Myeongsung's Birthplace, Buddhist temples, etc.).

It's good for me. I can't handle Seoul. Nice to visit, couldn't live there. Same for Busan.

jjk · Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2004 7:29 am Post subject:

I have to agree with Captin Kirk.

My fiancee and I have been in Ulsan for almost 4 years, and love it. It is close enough to get to Busan whenever we want, and the direct bus to Haeundae Beach is almost quicker than when we have been on the subway from in Busan!

The city has changed A LOT in 4 years- from having a few wae-guks, and NOTHING in the way of imported products- finding cheese was a treat!

Now, with the new supermarkets- Wal-mart and Homeplus, as well as the newish- (opened in the time I have been here) lotte Department Store, almost everything you could want is here.

The people are friendly, the streets feel safe, and the city is easy to navigate. The pollution is not as bad as some people seem to make out- we have never had any real problems, and it is better now that it was a few years back.

We would never move to Seoul, and probably would have to think really hard about a move to Busan!

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

the_beaver

The top three. Good order, too.

Cool

matthewwoodford · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Location: Location, location, location.

Seoul is it.

Kwangju has two things over Seoul tho' - less pollution, and the people seem a lot more polite judging from my limited experience.

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

I could never leave the big city.

Seoul or Pusan only.