Korean Job Discussion Forums

SwimminThruAsia · Joined: 20 Sep 2005

I need some info from someone who knows Seoul really well.
I have a decent offer at a Hogwan..decent hours, average pay, nice housing. The main problem is the location..its at station #413, called Ssung-moon or something along those lines.
Is there any saving grace to living up here? Or does it simply blow?

Please take just a second of your time, and vote yeh or neh on this location.
(Neh being no, as in english. Smile

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

Subway line number?

SwimminThruAsia · Joined: 20 Sep 2005

Line number 4, stop #413.
I am going to look at the apartment in 20 minutes, and I have to say yes or no to this position TONIGHT. Don't you love the low pressure approach of Korean employers?

Yesterday · Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2005 1:39 am Post subject: Re: Are you "in the know???"

teachmeenglish · Joined: 14 Dec 2004

I have lived in Nowon (station 411) for 5 years and life is quite good. If the job is good no worries. Not to mention but Ssangmun station is only 4 stations from an interesting area near Kirum station, so I would guess that it cant blow too badly Wink

plattwaz · Joined: 08 Apr 2005 Location: <Write something dumb here>

If the hagwon is good, don't let the location throw you. I've also lived up at Nowon, and it's not a bad place. Plus, you are fairly close on line 4 to Hyewha, and it's not to far to Itaewon. Close to some nice mountains up there in the north part of Seoul, and a large way-gookin population as well.

Bob O. · Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Location: The 'San

I spent a year living near Ssangmun. Like everything, it had its good points and bad points.

First of all, the good points:

-You are really close to Bukhansan National Park and the hiking and beauty that lies within;
-Suyu and Nowon (both of which have good bars and western restaurants) are nearby;
-You are away from the hustle and bustle of central Seoul/Gangnam;
-The air is noticeably fresher there than central Seoul (I didn't notice this until recently when I went to visit friends up there)

However, there are also the bad points:

-Itaewon is about an hour away on the subway. It takes nearly as long in a cab. Cab fare runs about 20 000 at night. (I have had some good sleeps on those cab rides home though).
-Hongdae is even farther

Come to think of it, most of the complaints I had when I lived near Ssangmun were employer-related, not location-related. So, if you have a good job lined up, I'd say go for it.

Alan_Partridge · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Location: in the posh part of town

podjs · Joined: 18 Jun 2005

I'm living in Ssangmun now. There's really not much in Ssangmun itself. You'll have to get on the bus or subway to another part of town. If Itaewon and Hongdae are your normal hangouts, then you will be spending quite a bit for cab fare on the weekends.

itaewonguy · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

i use to travel to ssangmun every sunday couple years ago for work..
the hardest part was fighthing off the hangover and 4 hours sleep! haahh

but yeah its pretty easy to get to.. if your coming from hongdae on a sunday morning on the first train its sweet.. you be home in bed in an hour! not a hard yard to do every now and then! especially for a buck!
when a cab will cost you 15.. or maybe even 20 between 12-5am

anyway whats up?
well you got mountains close by, you got the local expats hanging at the dragon , nowon seems to be the hub for the eslers up there..
you got miari Confused

what ever that means to you hahaha.. dongdaemun 20minutes away in subway dowtown seoul in 30!
its fine man.. if the money is good.. take it!! also being alittle bit away can sometimes stop you from going out on that tuesday and wednesday night and blowing cash!
ohh not to mention.. you are real close to changyangri also.. the national railroad stop! great for those weekend trips....

zappadelta · Joined: 31 Aug 2004

SwimminThruAsia · Joined: 20 Sep 2005

Thanx for the insight, but I said no to the job
The name of the school is "GrandSun academy"
I said no for a variety of reasons.. I would have been the only foreign teacher, the cirriculum was painfully boring, the apartment was big but very, very old, and there weren't so many students, which means it may or may not have closed down in a few months.
Honestly, though, the director seemed to be like a nice guy, and he was willing to change a few things in the contract to appease me.
SO..if there is anyone out there job hunting, and who doesn't mind being a bit lonely, this could be a good job. Contact me, and I'll let you know their info.