Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Adam J]

In the U.S. I drive 2-3 hours per day. I'm tired of cars, and was kind of looking forward to not having a car anymore, since the subway/bus situation in Seoul sounds solid.

However, the teacher I am replacing has a car for sale for $800 (Hyundai Avanti 73,000 miles, clean and in good shape - not my kind of car, but who cares?). Would this make daily life simpler?

Mostly I'd use it for grocery shopping and the occassional weekend trip out of the city to wherever the air is clean - parks, mountains, whatever. My school picks teachers up every day, so I wouldn't use it to drive to school.

I'll be living in Seongnam-si. Would it be easier, for example, to drive fro m Seongnam-si to Bundang, or take a bus/subway?

Thanks

[itaewonguy]

car is great! and easier to access the parks around bundang and the namhansangsong etc...
car for sure.. the only way to go..

[Zark]

Do it.

It makes a huge difference in your quality of life. See that temple over there? Go check it out. You don't have to wait for a taxi - hope he doesn't mind going out in the country, doesn't mind waiting - and what about fitting all five of you in the taxi - and your friend's dog?

I've owned a vehicle in every country in which I lived - and I think it greatly enhanced my ability to explore and enjoy that country.

In Korea it will also keep you off the subway and buses where people will cough and sneeze right in your face without covering their mouths - thus causing you to have numerous colds/flu per year - that you wouldn't have otherwise.

I don't know that I would want a car if I lived right in the middle of Seoul - but everywhere else would be great.

BTW, you'll find repairs and maintenance surprisingly inexpensive here.

And - WELCOME - some us remember your initial posts when you were just thinking of coming here. Glad to see the follow through - and I hope you have a great career overseas! (Uh, if you are the Adam J that I think you are . . .)

[fidel]

Get one,
Not only for the things that have already been mentioned, but also it allows you to have some anonymity. Trust me, anonymity is something you will come to value.

From Seongnam it's just a hop skip and a jump away major highways that give you access to the Korean peninsula.

[Zyzyfer]

For Seongnam, a car is useful. Depending on what neighborhood you live in in Seongnam, you could possibly just be able to hop right on one main road and access a lot from that road (Rt. 23). It's definitely not necessary, but a lot of buses around here meander through the city and the subway won't get you off the beaten path.

I've been driving around in Bundang for several months and it's very useful.

[Adam J]

Zark -

Yep, that's me. I haven't posted much, but I have done a ton of reading here at Dave's. I did get the job that I wanted, so that's cool.

Thanks for the info.

[nzboy01]

Car is great, esp. if you start dating some of the locals.

[Homer]

Advantage: you can get away more easily on the weekends (but stuck with weekend traffic).

Disadvantage: Having to drive here and learn to go with Korean traffic habits.

We rent a car when we need one. Best of both worlds.

[Ya-ta Boy]

You will appreciate having a car during the rainy season. $800 may seem like an expensive umbrella, but it's worth it.

You might want to read the driving stories that were posted here last week--just to be prepared for some of the insanity.

[Adam J]

Ya-ta Boy -

I read the crazy driving stories thread. Good stuff. I can totally picture myself in traffic screaming at the other drives. Stress relief.

After giving it some thought, Im not comfortable buying a car without being there to see it in person. Do you guys see used cars for sale in decent shape in the $1,000-$3,000 range very often?

I think I'm going to pass on this car, because I'm uncomfortable buying without seeing in person, even if it means spending more later.

I'll be moving in August, but in January the school's new apartments will open so I'll be moving a second time. Probably best to wait and see what the second neighborhood is like.

[Ya-ta Boy]

There are lots of used cars for sale in that price range.

Can I offer some unsolicited advice? Don't scream when you drive unless you can scream with your eyes open. I don't advise closing your eyes for even a few seconds. Better to clothes pin your eye lids to your eye brows. Vigilance is a virtue on the road.

[Rikus]

If you haven't left yet, I advise getting a international driver's license from home. You can also get used cars pretty cheap from the GI's rotating out of country. There are some places that are hard to get to with public transportation. So I advise you to get a car. I drive a little Matiz II. Easy to park and I always get half price at parking lots and toll boothes.

[Nick Adams]

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[Picture Perfect]

[Demophobe]

Ulcers, high blood pressure, road rage, accidents, watch animals be killed, practice listening to Korean (usually swearing taxis), learn "cunning"...all darn fine reasons to drive.

Oh yeah.....it's convenient.