Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jinks]

I've got a job! Well, an offer anyway - which I have accepted and I am just waiting for the school to get back to me with confirmation...
...in the meantime I have been looking at Chuncheon web sites to see what I am letting myself in for. It looks kind of ok as small towns go and it is not too far from Seoul. I am not a big city kind of guy, I've visited a few, but the biggest place I have ever lived in is Wellington NZ (the smallest is Herm Island, know it?).
Anyway, the google search turned up a few lame Chuncheon sites, but I am sure that I could get better (eruditer?) comment from some of the regular posters on these boards - anyone care to comment?
BTW, the money, money, money thread on the Kjob board scared the hebee-gebees out of me as I am skint, which is part of the reason I am travelling to Korea to work, the other part is by reason of ESL/adult-ed career development.
So, what's the guts on Chuncheon?

[the eye]

well, i can only speak of the many times i visited friends i have there. since no one else is answering, i'll offer my observations.

first of all, it's a university town. i think there are 9 or 10 unis in and around the area. downtown was always flooded with students...and US miltary. there is a fair sized military contingent as well.

the night life is a little poor if you want to club or booze it up with other foreigners. there are 2 or 3 places that foreigners gather. one of the places, 'lava', is owned by my buddy.

the town is located in some pretty stunning mountain country. very clean, the locals even drink the tap water. great fresh air, and a fair bit of snow in winter. you will have great skiing in your back yard, and you will also be within 1.5 hours of downtown seoul. you are also quite close to Sorak mountain and the East sea.

that's all i know.

[jinks]

Thanks eye - in my mind I imagine it as a sort of lakeside, mountain spa. Is that a fair description, or is it talking it up a bit?
I don't mind the shabby nightlife, I tend to go out 5-7 weekdays and leave the latenights and weekends to the party crowd.

[schwa]

'Mountain spa' would be stretching it a good bit, but its a nice enough city.

[Demophobe]

Been here 9 years...PM if you have questions...

[osangrl]

mmmm Chuncheon.... army base!!!

[Harpeau]

They're fameous for their Dalk Kalbi (spicy chicken). My friend says that is a very charming town. Not too far from the DMZ.

[bucheon bum]

it is a fairly nice small city. I'd say it is the nicest city in Gangwon-do although its bus station is a dump. They seriously need a new one. You're also fairly close to Seoul, so you can make day-trips there when you get tired of Chuncheon, which you will.

Lots of Dalkkalbi restaurants, a couple which really kick ass.

If you like hiking, plenty of mountains for you to choose from. The biggest dam in Korea is a short bus ride away, woo hoo!

And like schwa said, "mountain spa" is quite an exageration.

[Apple Scruff]

[the eye]

are you a soldier?

[Demophobe]

[bucheon bum]

you know, as I was writing that, I had a feeling that was the case. It's been a couple years since I was there.

[coolsage]

Here five years. No, it's not Banff or Aspen, but the setting is scenic and the air is clean. It's a college town, with the social ambience that is implied. The foreign teachers tend to gravitate to two or three venues behind Kangwon University. For me, it's sufficient. If you crave more action, the train will set you down in the bowels of Seoul in two hours. If you're signing on to a Korean experience, I'd recommend the place. See you at the Hard Rock Bar.

[jinks]

[funplanet]

overall, it's a nice, quiet place...lot's to do in the surrounding area