Korean Job Discussion Forums

[noguri]

I moved to Korea last month with my Korean wife and kid. I live now with in-laws in Ilsan, north of Seoul, but we're moving to Seoul next month.

How is it that all these other foreigners seem to be making their way around Seoul just fine? I read posts on this site and foreign people are getting to work, going to bars, going on dates, doing errands and taking care of all sorts of business in Seoul every day. And me? I am just bewildered by the crowds and skyscrapers, plus all the darned "toast" and "odeng-on-a-stick" places taking up sidewalk space.

The only thing I can manage to to is to take EXACTLY the same bus my wife showed me how to take, and to walk EXACTLY the same line to the subway station. I can't imagine actually going somewhere I haven't been before.

How can I get more accustomed to making my way around Seoul? Should I buy a map? Is it true that the streets don't have actual names?

What if I get lost? I have a family so if I get lost, I can't just shrug it off as a day chalked up to learning. I have to do what I set out to do and then get home within a reasonable time. I could call my wife and tell her I'm lost but if I can't accurately read or speak Korean, I might not be able to describe where I am.

I also quit smoking years ago and if I get lost I can't just crack open a pack and sip coffee and scratch my head until I figure out how to get home. Or hang out with the ajosshis toking on thin cigarettes and drinking soju.

Anyone willing to share secrets about how to get around without becoming disoriented in this megalopolis?

[eamo]

[Hater Depot]

Can you read hangul? Have you got a map of the Seoul subway? Until I did both of those I was utterly useless. I'm still hopeless with the bus system.

You might find this helpful:

http://wiki.galbijim.com/Image:Seoul_Subway_Map_ver2.png

[RobinH]

First, stop being afraid. Just forget it, nothing bad is going to happen to you.

Second, make a wallet-sized card with your home address in Korean and laminate it. If you get lost, hail a taxi and show the driver the card. I do this every time I move to a new area.

Third, Explore the area around your house on foot. Thoroughly.

Forth, explore out from there as needed.


I found that taking the subway as much as possible cuts down on the bewilderment. But, taxis and busses let you see landmarks.

Have fun and don't worry!

[indytrucks]

Buy the Lonely Planet for Korea and/or Seoul. Usually rubbish, but in some instances helpful.

Learn Hangul. Even some basic characters of major landmarks.

Get out and wander as much as possible when you have free time. Walk a lot. Try to get from point to point (within reason) on foot.

Get lost. Find your way back to a major landmark from there. The subway is your friend.

Don't let crowds and busy traffic intimidate you. Seoul is a pretty safe place at the end of the day.

That's how I familiarized myself with Seoul.

[Hapkido-In]

Get out there and just explore! Don't be afraid.

Things to help you as a safety net:

1. Cell phone. If you get lost, call your wife. She can tell a taxi driver where to take you.

2. Address in your wallet (already suggested). Show it to a taxi driver, no problem.

3. Actually learning how to say where you live in Korean.

Finally, learn how to get to the nearest subway station and learn how to read Korean (it's really easy). I guess you don't even have to learn Korean since subway station always have English signs. Anyways, explore a few stops away. It's fun.

[Buff]

Explore your neighborhood. Get familiar with the subway map. Learn some city landmarks and memorize what subway stop they're near. Learn how to orient yourself according to N, S, E, W. Learn how to sound out words in Korean.

If you want to explore just grab your iPod and hop on a bus and ride until you find something interesting. Get on that same bus when you're done exploring and continue until you get back to your starting point. Use a blue or orange one because the green ones won't get you very far. I like buses because you're above ground and you can see where you're going and things that you pass whereas the subway just pops you out at a destination

Some subway stops you'll like:
City Hall----> lots of restaurants, good for transferring to other lines
Gwanghwamun--->Kyobo bookstore
Myeongdong--->shopping
Jongno 3-ga/Anguk/Gyeongbokgung --->lots of cool cultural stuff
Hoehyeon--Namdaemun market
Samgakji---just fun to say
Seoul Station---useful for er...catching the train
Itaewon--- useful for...getting Thai or Indian food and that's about it in my opinion
Sinchon- good movie theater (Artreon)
Ewha Women's University---shopping

Good luck!

[Demophobe]

GPS.

[Ya-ta Boy]

It IS disorienting at first.

What I do is memorize the route to work first. That is just survival stuff. From there, I start exploring around blocks and matching up landmarks.

Word to the wise: Choose only landmarks that can't change. I once chose a mannikin with a red dress....I was up the proverbial creek when she turned out to have a blue dress on Monday. Took me two days to get back home.

Carry a card with your phone numbers on it...work, home, friends.

Koreans are very helpful. Don't be unduly scared, but it really is disorienting at first.

Good luck.

Personal tip: ALWAYS turn left at an SK gas station. I don't know why this is universally true in my Korean life, but it is and I conclude it is true for everyone.

[noguri]

Thanks, y'all! Those are all good, practical pieces of advice. I will definitely buy a map and try memorizing what are some of the major landmarks and what subway station they are near.

I guess it does just require some exploration. Koreans are helpful, here in Ilsan I go for walks with our baby. This helps too, because Koreans think she is so cute (whereas I definitely am NOT!) and strangers are willing to help. Next month when we move to Seoul I'll do some more exploring with the baby.

I'll also try getting the laminated card, etc. And I won't use a mannequin as a landmark!