Korean Job Discussion Forums

[HamuHamu]

I recently applied to a job that advertised positions in Gyeonggi-do province. The recruiter replied and said that after living in Seoul, I would likely find Gyeonggi-do province to be isolated, and then suggested that I take a position in Icheon city (an hour south of Seoul), or Gapyong-gun, an hour and a half east of Seoul.

It seemed strange to me, because I would think that both of those places are even MORE isolated than Gyeonggi-do...no?

So where exactly IS Gyeonggi-do province. I guess, and perhaps very wrongly, I had always thought Gyeonggi-do was the province that surrounded Seoul? Am I confusing that with another province name? Aren't places like Ilsan, Bundang, and Suwon technically part of Gyeonggi-do? Or am I horribly and embarrassingly wrong?

[tzechuk]

Go-yang City
Gwancheon City
Gwangmyeong City
Gwangju City
Guri City
Gunpo City
Gimpo City
Namyangju City
Dongducheon City
Bucheon City
Songnam City
Suwon City
Siheung City
Ansan City
Ansong City
Anyang City
Osan City
Yeongin City
Oewang City
Oejeongbu City
Yecheon City
Paju City
Pyeongtaek City
Hanam City
Hwaseong City

[Derrek]

It's confusing, because Kyonngi surrounds Seoul like a Donut.

[PolyChronic Time Girl]

It depends... Gyeonggi is wrapped around like one post said and goes in so many different areas. Where in Gyeonggi? Right now,I live in Anyang (part of Gyeonggi) and I love it. It's a good city and I don't feel isolated from Seoul. It's only about 30 minutes on the metro. It has a great downtown area. Not sure about the other cities...I have heard other posts complain about living in Incheon and how isolated it feels....again, Incheon is huge, so I don't know. Some realy like it too. And your recruiter is suggesting another city an hour and a half east of Seoul....that's still pretty dang far from Seoul. Hmmmm What about around your immediate neighborhood (restaurant types, businesses) because that's where you will be spending the majority of your time. My first job, the recruiter touted my city as a great university town (Cheongju..a medium size city...in the central area of Korea). And although I like Cheongju as a city...the school stuck me in a country house with no hot water about 30 minutes from the nearest supermarket!! Ask about your apartment and the vicinity around your apartment...that's much more important.
Final note: What about the school the recruiter has chosen in Incheon and Gapyong? If he/she's pushing a certain school on you be very wary..it means he/she can't get anyone else to sign its contract. Me, I'd rather work for a good hagwon in a city far from Seoul than work for the evil Wonderland franchise school in wealthy, fun Seoul neighborhood like Apgujeong.
Maybe it would help if you told us about the schools your recruiter has chosen for you?
Plus, I take it you are already in Korea? Why don't you have a look at these places the recruiter wants you to live?

[mithridates]

Yeah, Anyang's good. Also, if you have a position in Gunpo you could hang out in Sanbon as well. I lived in Sanbon for over a year. Kind of like Bundang but not as expensive nor as lively. But still nice. Two movie theatres. Don't go to the one further away though as the ajosshi who runs the place stops the movies before the credits have time to roll.

[ajuma]

Gyeonggi-do= county or province. It doesn't mean a particular city. There are 9 counties or provinces in Korea. Gyeonggi-do is the one that includes Seoul.

[Pyongshin Sangja]

The Korean word for map is ji-do. The English word for map is map.

[J.B. Clamence]

[HamuHamu]

[plato's republic]

i was wondering what these other cities in gyeonggi-do such as Ansan, Anyang, Suwon and Incheon were actually like. are they good places to live? do they have their own expat communities and any kind of nightlife? are they nice places to live and work or should they be avoided by people who like to live in the city?

[Holyjoe]

[lookingtoteach]

I lived in Ansan and it was a pretty good place to live. There was a large expat community and they were extremely friendly and accepting of newcomers. There are a few good expat bars and it's not too far away from Seoul. I don't know the population though.

[Blind Willie]