Korean Job Discussion Forums

StAxX SOuL · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: London

I'm contemplating an offer from a school in this area... but I'd like to know how it is as an area of Seoul to live and work in

I've tried searching information on this area but to little avail, I really MUST buy myself a Lonely Planet book soon!!

It'd be greatly appreciated if someone could give me a run down on what there is to do in this area... how are the shopping facilities? Is the area an affluent one, forming part of the CBD or is its main use something else? Also how it is for nightlife etc given that my first choice location is Apgujeong... I mean, I know its next to Kangnam, so is the journey into Sincheon a short one, meaning a good night out is easily had?

I appreciate that Kangnam and Apgujeong is perhaps oversubscribed and as a first time teacher I don't want to be too picky to the point that I end up turning down the sort of positions which it would make sense for me to take!!

jinju · Joined: 22 Jan 2006

Kangbyeon is on the north side of the river. The area itself isnt very affluent. But it is close to Jamsil which is more affluent. There are several shincheons in Seoul. The one thats one stop over from Jamsil has nothing to offer in terms of any nightlife at all. For the nightlife Shincheon you have a long subway ride northwestwards.

South of the river the best areas for nightlife are around Gangnam station and in Apkujeong. Apkujeong is actually in Kangnam, as Kangnam is the name of the district and apkujeong is a dong in the district (calle gu in Korean). But dont worry about that. For nightlife in Gangnam-gu you go to Gangnam station or Apkujeong station and then do a 15 minute hike to Rodeo Street.

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

They're spelling it Gangbyeon now, BTW.

It's not a special area. Close to the Han river so you will have easy access to the riverside parks.

And, of course, Technomart!! A massive electrical supermarket on 6 floors. You'll be sorted for MP3 players....

It's on the ever so handy Green Circle Subway line. So trips to most places in Seoul should need at most one transfers. Often none.

It's a fine area for a first year in Korea. Go for it.

plato's republic · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Location: Ancient Greece

I'm also contemplating a move to Gangbyeon. Thanks for any extra info you can provide.

My friend lives in Sincheon near Gangnam and he said there are a few decent places to go drinking there.

kangnam mafioso · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Location: Teheranno

StAxX SOuL · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: London

Ghetto? LOL... how's my safety there?

kangnam mafioso · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Location: Teheranno

Repetez apres-moi:

TECHNO MART TECHNO MART TECHNO MART TECHNO MART TECHNO MART...

Even if you're not a computer geek -huge -generic -department store-lovING wanker:

Gangbyeon (or Kangbyeon) is kind of ghetto, but it's close to some mad cool areas like, for instance, Jamsil (Lotte World!), Sincheon (not to be confused with Shinchon - next to Hongdae), Kangnam (a few stops over on the green line), Kongguk University, etc.
Kongguk and Sinchon are both pretty cool in terms of hofs (bars) and restaurants and a younger set of people, although they don't really have the nightlife like Hongdae-Shinchon, Itaewon or Kangnam. Still, you are pretty close to Kangnam and Itaewon, although Hongdae is a hike from that area.
It wouldn't be a bad area for a new teacher to live.

There is also a brilliant sauna near the Gangbyeon yak (station). It's enormous and has every kind of steam room you can imagine.

If you like seafood, you've got to hit the main street near Sincheon station. It has the best seafood/ sushi restaurants in Seoul (after Naragjin-market and Sinsa station -- IMHO)

Peace out, dude.

StAxX SOuL · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: London

Thank you!

I love ALL my gadgets so it'd definitely be made good use of...

kangnam mafioso · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Location: Teheranno

[quote="StAxX SOuL"]Ghetto? LOL... how's my safety there?

[quote="plato's republic"]

not dangerous ... just a little run down and proletarian.

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

Gangbyeon is changing a lot. A lot more officetels and new apartment buildings opening up. Also the east seoul bus terminal there so it's easy to get out of of town. Being close to the green and purple lines makes it easy for transportation.

Go for it!

plato's republic · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Location: Ancient Greece

Staxx Soul,

Which school did you receive an offer from? PM me if you want to keep it private.