Korean Job Discussion Forums

Nhussin · Joined: 07 Aug 2006 Location: Gangneung

As indicated in the subject line... I'll be moving to Gangneung to start a public school position on August 28th and I'm having a hard time finding good information on the area. Does anybody live there? What exactly is the city like? Is there a good downtown area or is it a lot of sprawl? Any established foreigner hang-outs?

If anybody knows the area and would like to spend a few minutes posting your thoughts on it, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,
Noah

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

I've been there once. It's very small, pretty rustic, and probably a lot of shoreline scenery. Watch out for barbed wire.

mithridates · Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 9:05 pm Post subject:

Looks like a lot of fun to me:

http://www.pakalakamino.blogspot.com/

animalbirdfish · Joined: 04 Feb 2004

After more than five years in Seoul, I'd love to move out to rural Korea, so I'm jealous. The area around Gangneung should be a great place to live, especially in the coming two or three months. Plus, you'll be close to what the Korean Lonely Planet seems to think is one of the worst places in Korea (though it is my favorite piece of writing in the whole book):

Jeongdongjin
If you want to see everything that can go wrong when a local government uses all its powers to set up a tourist resort, then come to Jeongdongjin. In addition to foetid, polluted water and uncontrolled construction, you will find: a train station on the beach; a memorial to the first landing of of the North Koreans during the Korean War; and enormous ship on top of a hill; the largest hourglass in the world...If this is too much to handle, then just enjoy the place from the safety of the train window.

Nhussin · Joined: 07 Aug 2006 Location: Gangneung

korea252 · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Location: Seoul, Haebangchon

Hi there
You're making the right decision to go to Gangneung. It's an amazing place to live. Summer you have the beach on your doorstep - no need to pay for a vacation abroad - and winter you can ski as much as your money allows, there's even a free bus.
There is a big expat scene in Gangneung and you'll be made to feel more than welcome. There are a few bars where people hang out - Uncle 29's (near the main post office on the high street), Warehouse (near Sun Plaza, say Sun Plaza to a taxi driver and you'll find Warehouse at the crossroads) and there's Bumpin' Bar (a 5 minute walk from Warehouse, leave Warehouse, turn right and walk straight past the traffic lights and then turn right again once you reach Family Mart). In any of these bars go up to a foreigner and introduce yourself. You shouldn't have any problems.
Hope you love Gangneung.

periwinkle · Joined: 08 Feb 2003

If you like skiing or snowboarding, you are super close to a huge resort. Gangneung is beautiful- I envy you...

VanIslander · Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 1:01 am Post subject:

You are within minutes of Gyeongpodae beach:

A nice place to chill and swim, with all the modern amenities, since it's considered by Koreans to be one of the Top-2 beaches in Korea (voted as such, I hear). Way overcrowded (because so popular with Seoulites I guess) but morning jaunts midweek must be nice.

Other than Geoje, Namhae, or Jeju, you're going to the next fav place of mine to live and work in this country. Enjoy!

joyfulgirl · Joined: 05 Jan 2006

my friends lived there, a couple. they loved summer..the beach was amazing. they're back in seoul now, and still head up there for the beach almost every weekend. they like skiing too, and were close to resorts, but got a little more bored then, they said. guess it was easier to pop to the beach in summer, than pay to get into ski resorts all the time. i visited them a few times. was a small place, but great beach, a few fun bars, and a friendly bunch of expats.