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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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Matin
Joined: 20 Jun 2006
Location: Gyeong Sang Nam Do
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 Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 4:28 am Post subject: Big fish in a small pond or small fish in a big pond........ |
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Im almost at the end of my contract in a small town (50,000) and considering moving to a big city (Daegu/Busan) but am wondering if being known by everyone in a small town has more advantages than being "just another foreigner" in a big city?
Has anyone made the move either way - big-small/small-big, and if you have any opinions?
responses greatly appreciated - cheers! |
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Qinella
Joined: 25 Feb 2005
Location: the crib
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| Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 4:34 am Post subject: |
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| I lived in a small town last year. Now I live in Seoul. I enjoy Seoul infinitely more than the small town. Life is much more convenient here, and it's so easier to meet people. There are less stares, less people uncomfortable by my presence, more options for shopping and entertainment... |
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heydelores
Joined: 24 Apr 2006
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| Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 4:39 am Post subject: |
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| I lived in a very small town (5,000--yes, that's the correct number of digits!) for my first contract. Now I'm in the Seoul suburbs. Living in a small town itself wasn't terrible, but I wouldn't go back. I love where I am now, not in the middle of Seoul but with great access anytime I want to make the trip. |
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anjucat
Joined: 26 Jul 2005
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| Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 5:23 am Post subject: |
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I've been a "country chicken" my whole life. I've lived in a pretty big city for the past 3.5 years in Korea, and it's starting to get me down. I'm heading to a small town in the country as soon as my contract is up.
Sure, having access to movie theatres, good bars, other westerners, and a variety of good restaurants and foreign goods is a nice thing to have in Korea, but basically it comes down to who you are and what you really value. Me, i'll always be a hillbilly, whether it be in Asia or North America, and i'll always prefer friendly familiarity, quiet nights, and fresh(er) air over an easily-accessible Starbuck's. |
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ajuma
Joined: 18 Feb 2003
Location: Anywere but Seoul!!
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| Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 6:31 am Post subject: |
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| I went from small (maybe 3,000) to big (1 million) back to small (3,000 between semesters, 10,000 during) and I wouldn't trade small-town life for the big city for twice the money!! If I need excitement, I can travel to the "city", but I love the fact that I know everyone in my neighborhood and everyone knows me. I guess it's the difference between feeling anonymous and feeling like a part of the community. |
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Qinella
Joined: 25 Feb 2005
Location: the crib
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| Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 6:54 am Post subject: |
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| ajuma wrote: |
| I went from small (maybe 3,000) to big (1 million) back to small (3,000 between semesters, 10,000 during) and I wouldn't trade small-town life for the big city for twice the money!! If I need excitement, I can travel to the "city", but I love the fact that I know everyone in my neighborhood and everyone knows me. I guess it's the difference between feeling anonymous and feeling like a part of the community. |
About the neighborhood thing... is that true for you in a small town in Korea, too? Because where I lived, it was the exact opposite. My next-door neighbors in the villa building were hostile toward me, as were most of my neighbors I'd see on the streets. Ajumma passes, I say hello in Korean, she looks at me like she's terrified and walks faster. I felt way uncomfortable there.
It's different for you? |
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heydelores
Joined: 24 Apr 2006
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| Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 7:29 am Post subject: |
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| Qinella wrote: |
| ajuma wrote: |
| I went from small (maybe 3,000) to big (1 million) back to small (3,000 between semesters, 10,000 during) and I wouldn't trade small-town life for the big city for twice the money!! If I need excitement, I can travel to the "city", but I love the fact that I know everyone in my neighborhood and everyone knows me. I guess it's the difference between feeling anonymous and feeling like a part of the community. |
About the neighborhood thing... is that true for you in a small town in Korea, too? Because where I lived, it was the exact opposite. My next-door neighbors in the villa building were hostile toward me, as were most of my neighbors I'd see on the streets. Ajumma passes, I say hello in Korean, she looks at me like she's terrified and walks faster. I felt way uncomfortable there.
It's different for you? |
People were very friendly to me, and I felt more than welcome in the town. There were only 5 foreigners in town, so everyone knew who we were. It was just far too insular a community of coworkers and absolutely no chance for anonymity that made me decide to move somewhere larger, and I moved there from a rural town of only 3,000 in the US. |
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Ya-ta Boy
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Established in 1994
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| Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 7:42 am Post subject: |
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I've done Korea from Seoul to a myeon of 7,000--but I think the guy who told me that figure is a lunatic. I'd say that 3,000 is a generous estimate.
Small towns are the same the world over. While the residents all grew up with their friends and don't 'need' any new friends, some of them would accept one if he/she landed on the door step. While most Koreans are warm and friendly, I can say that in my experience the #1 and #3 most UNfriendly, rude, snobbish, arrogant, etc Koreans I have ever met have been here in this small town. 98% of the rest of them are too busy with their own lives to give much of a &*5$# for who else shows up in town. (Can't say as I blame them.) |
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ajuma
Joined: 18 Feb 2003
Location: Anywere but Seoul!!
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| Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 9:36 am Post subject: |
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| heydelores wrote: |
| Qinella wrote: |
About the neighborhood thing... is that true for you in a small town in Korea, too? Because where I lived, it was the exact opposite. My next-door neighbors in the villa building were hostile toward me, as were most of my neighbors I'd see on the streets. Ajumma passes, I say hello in Korean, she looks at me like she's terrified and walks faster. I felt way uncomfortable there.
It's different for you? |
People were very friendly to me, and I felt more than welcome in the town. There were only 5 foreigners in town, so everyone knew who we were. It was just far too insular a community of coworkers and absolutely no chance for anonymity that made me decide to move somewhere larger, and I moved there from a rural town of only 3,000 in the US. |
Yeah, it was true for me 10 years ago in my small town...of course, then I didn't know how to deal with all the attention!!!
Now I live in such a multi-cultural neighborhood (people and kids from Canada, America, Ireland, England, India, Australia, New Zealand, Pakisatan, ...you name it!) that the locals just treat us like everyone else.
I always know when a new kid moves into the apt complex. They give that open-mouth stare...while their friends are saying "Hey, relax! It's just our neighbor!"
Anonymity?? No thanks!
That said, everyone has different needs. I'm happy where I am. Some people are happier with anonymity. |
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Benicio
Joined: 25 May 2006
Location: Down South- where it's hot & wet
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| Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 10:58 am Post subject: |
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I love Busan- been here 7 years.
Done the Seoul thing. If you want to be anonymous, go there.
There's a good community here in Busan. You can meet some real good people and have some good times. |
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Roch
Joined: 24 Apr 2003
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 11:43 am Post subject: |
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| Qinella wrote: |
| ajuma wrote: |
| I went from small (maybe 3,000) to big (1 million) back to small (3,000 between semesters, 10,000 during) and I wouldn't trade small-town life for the big city for twice the money!! If I need excitement, I can travel to the "city", but I love the fact that I know everyone in my neighborhood and everyone knows me. I guess it's the difference between feeling anonymous and feeling like a part of the community. |
About the neighborhood thing... is that true for you in a small town in Korea, too? Because where I lived, it was the exact opposite. My next-door neighbors in the villa building were hostile toward me, as were most of my neighbors I'd see on the streets. Ajumma passes, I say hello in Korean, she looks at me like she's terrified and walks faster. I felt way uncomfortable there.
It's different for you? |
Such treatment from the locals is impossible! You must be delusional! And no, I'm not stalking you!!!!!!!!! :) |
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Hapkido-In
Joined: 24 Jun 2006
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| Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 2:29 pm Post subject: |
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I've been both kinds of fish. Personally I like to be a small fish. Blending in and not getting noticed is nice. Very nice.
Personally I don't put much weight on the ability to easily make friends (with other foreigners) because it's just as easy to make friends with Koreans. Of course you'll have to learn Korean...but that's not too, too hard if you try.
I also don't put much weight on the "lots of things to do" in a city, simply because there's lots of things to do anywhere if you know how to keep yourself busy.
But the blending in thing. That's awesome. |
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jinks
Joined: 27 Oct 2004
Location: Formerly: Lower North Island
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| Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 2:33 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Matin ~ your community is where you make it, geography has very little to do with it. Living in a small town makes you seem more visible, but a city suburb or apartment complex is just like a small town - except it is surrounded by other small towns, rather than pumpkin patches. If you are a friendly person [and I know you are] you will start saying 'hi' to people you see on your daily round from home to work to shop to bar and home again. People will start saying 'hi' to you too. If you have made friends in all the other towns and cities you have lived in, you will be able to do it again. I was in the same position as you earlier this year, I loved my small town and my friends there, but my work colleagues were a sucky bunch of cutns [with one or two notable exceptions]. Now I am living in a bigger town, I am much happier and leading a much more social life. Come on in - the water's lovely!
Take the Plunge
Alternatively, negotiate your boss into the floorboards and get a better apartment, more pay, longer holidays and stay where you are. |
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jinks
Joined: 27 Oct 2004
Location: Formerly: Lower North Island
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| Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 2:36 pm Post subject: |
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| jinks wrote: |
| Now I am living in a bigger town, I am much happier and leading a much more social life. |
Let me edit that to say; my life is just as social, but my social life is a lot closer to home these days. |
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seoulsucker
Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Location: The Land of the Hesitant Cutoff
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| Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 4:57 pm Post subject: |
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| Done both. Big city rocks, but then again I've lived in/near big cities most of my life. |
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