Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Chillin' Villain]

[JongnoGuru]

[bucheon bum]

I like Seoul more. I lived in Bucheon 1/2 the time, sillim-dong the other 1/2. I like narrow streets that barely can fit cars. People were always about and it was a pretty lively place. It has a better atmosphere than out in the suburbs, which, like suburbs everywhere, are really generic.

But it depends on the area in Seoul. I think I wouldn't like Gangnam much. I briefly stayed in a rather crummy neighborhood near Daerim station that I wouldn't have enjoyed long term.

[casey's moon]

Guru, you live in my neighbourhood, don't you! ������ area??? (Dongnimmun) If so, I 100% agree with you. I did not want to live in Seoul at all, and still don't -- but this neighbourhood is amazing. It's convenient to so many important places and tourist sites (which are great when people visit), yet it has small temples, places to hike, a traditional market...

I don't see many foreigners around here (also a plus at times), but I may have seen you....

[Chillin' Villain]

[JongnoGuru]

[casey's moon]

Ahh, I just caught that you're behind the Blue house -- that would be the "other" (better than �λ絿) art area?? I love that area too... even more than here, although I'm guessin the key deposit would be more there.

It was just that your description was so like the way I'd describe this area. It's even just a short trip from ��ȭ�� which is why we live here because that's where my husband works.

Anyway, sorry! I'm wrong!

[SarcasmKills]

People please.

You all know Uijeongbu is the shiznit and that you all really want to live here... it's clean (don't listen to Mr. Pink - HATER), hop, skip and a jump to Seoul.. bike paths, malls, mountain trails.. the place has almost everything.. if New York Fries was closer and I didn't crave the big city madness every so often I'd never leave....

As for the "crappy" Ex-pats in the Ilsan area, well while it may not technically be Ilsan (I'm not exactly sure) but I know quite a few people in the Goyang area and they're a great bunch..

[peemil]

Not Seoul. Anywhere but that place.

[Demophobe]

Personally, I think it's funny when people speak of Ilsan, Bundang, Ansan or Guri like it isn't Seoul. Yes, technically, it's not, but come on. They are just political pseudo-divisions in order to have government representation or something, but it's just an endless sea of cement.

They are not really distinct, save a few vague references to the area being "different" or we should "love....", but it's all the same. The air isn't much better, the water is the same water as in Seoul (same source), the buildings, overcrowding, noise....it's all very similar.

Now, mind you, I am not talking about the heart of Seoul, but just general Seoul. I have travelled a lot through all these aforementioned areas, and if you feel they are markedly different, I believe you are fooling yourself.

Get out of Kyonggi province for a while....a year, and then go back to the beloved Bundang or whatever and see that it really is a dirty, crowded, noisy place.

If the only way you can justify the area is comparatively, then it probably sucks. If it's clean, then it's really clean. If the water is good, it's good, etc...

"Clean compared to...." or "Quiet compared to....." just doesn't say much.

See Korea. Get out of Seoul and the sprawling, noisy, polluted and crowded urban jungle that surrounds it.

I have an apartment near Guri, and that place sucks too. It's not like I am talking through my hat. It just seems that living in Seoul is "needy"....for the folks who can't be alone or can't live without the few lame references to western culture that are in your face. I know I will be flamed for this post, and that's cool...this is just a feeling I have.

The same salary can be found almost all over Korea, save private classes. I guess I am just odd, but I can't see why someone would want to live in Seoul and area when from many really nice cities, it's a comfortable train/bus ride away for shopping or whatever sundries you may need. It's unhealthy...for the mind and body. Some may thrive on big cities like that, but I always figured those folks just don't like to feel out of the loop. You will save some money, learn more about Korea (real Korea), learn more language, meet more cooler Koreans, have better job experiences (because in some centers, foreigners are not a dime a dozen, as in Seoul, and thus they treat you better in order to keep you)....a long list of plusses to leaving Seoul behind.

Sometimes (as in my case) they will pay you more for taking a job in the boonies. When I say boonies, it's a relative term. Korea is fairly well connected with buses and trains all over the country. If there is a small city, there is a regular bus in and out, usually to Seoul.

People don't spend near enough time alone.

[matthews_world]

I like Seoul because of the transportations options. Buses go everywhere. I'm on the west side south of the river and can go to both airports quickly. I'm meters from a subway stop which accesses 2 lines.
I'm pretty close to a train station. KTX is a few subway stops away.

If you look at it, there are your generic areas in any part of Seoul. Mok-dong rings a bell.

[Ilsanman]

[danielcraig]

Don't knock convenience store boozers, I had some great nights outside of those places. Where else can you get loaded and filled up on spicy squid for a couple bucks. Even better they have those oh so tasty ice cream-like things to cool you off Best night life in Ilsan.

I lived in Ilsan a few years back and thought it was an ok place to live. I think that the expat community ebbs and flows. There were times when I thought I had landed in the middle of mouth-breathing, loser land, but other times of found good folks to hang out with. Given the flow of expats in and out of Ilsan, it's hit or miss depending on when you are there and IF you can find people.

I used to hang out at JJ Mahoney's (no not in Itawon) next to Grand Dept Store. Nice place, great owner. Gave me a going away gift when I left (though he might have missed my business more than me These places also go in and out of vogue and then there's a no popular place. Koreans aren't the only fickle bunch.

I don't know if it was cleaner than the city or not, but I do know that my weekends in the city left me coughing black crap, and I'd "recover" in Ilsan during the week. I also like Hosu park (during the day when all the kids were in school). Great place to run/rollerblade/take a walk. Also a nice little mountain park across from Lotte (Lotte wasn't there when I was living there) and that was a nice place.

Notice that I said "weekends in the city." I don't think Ilsan has that much to offer the young gun looking for some fun. It's more laid back and somewhat void of meat markets (good? bad? you choose). I spent a lot of time downtown for food, drink, and dancing. Can't beat the University areas downtown. Great beats, cheap eats.

The teaching situation wasn't very good. I think there were much better jobs in Seoul, but then again the grass is always greener on the other side. I didn't know anyone who was happy with their job, but at the same time none of them got ripped off. I don't think you can beat the privates in Ilsan if you're looking for some extra cash. Lots of kids and parents with disposable incomes. I used to get propositioned (in the tutoring sense) all the time. I didn't choose that path, but my roommate made bunches of cash and had to start turning people down.

All-in-all, I guess there are good and bad aspects of all places you live. Ilsan wasn't too bad, but I don't see myself living there again (unless it's with my in-laws

[gi66y]

[just because]

Seoul is a hole.

Nice place to visit but wouldn't want to live there.

Changwon is where it is at baby!!!!!!!!!