Korean Job Discussion Forums

MANDRL · Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Location: South Korea

Hello! My fiance and I need your help. We are from San Diego, California and in our mid-twenties. We have narrowed down our options to either Ilsan or Daegu. We've done some extensive research on both cities and both schools, but we would love some input from people who are actually living there. If you could please tell us the pros and cons of either place and which city you would rather live in, it would be extremely helpful in our decision. Thanks a lot!

cbclark4 · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Location: Masan

Daegu!

Unless Ilsan is further south and near the ocean.

cbc

soviet_man · Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Location: Seoul

I'd go with Ilsan.

"Ilsan" is a of group of suburbs located about about 35-55 minutes from Seoul along the Daewha subway line. It is located north of the river.

All the usual suburban facilities are there (Lotte Mart, E-Mart, fast food outlets, restaurants, pc bangs, buses to downtown and Sinchon) and overall a nice place to spend a year.

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Ilsan is one of the best places to live in, in Korea. All the western amenities (that are available in Korea), good restaurants, cleaner than Seoul, and near Seoul if necessary. I've only visited there but thought it would be a good area to be in. Probably as good as it gets (for foreigners?) in Korea.

Just my opinion. I bet many would agree.

Bundang is similar.

cbclark4 · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Location: Masan

Daegu has a really nice subway system and the mountains are gorgeous.

cbc

jaganath69 · Joined: 17 Jul 2003

I say Ilsan, I lived there for a year and loved it. Daegu is a furnace in summer and miles from anywhere.

Bagpipes11 · Joined: 10 Nov 2006

I would say Daegu. Although it doesn't have the same western amenities as Daegu, Daegu is a decent city to work in. The location is more convenient if you are into hiking and spending time on the coast. The foreign community in Daegu is also alot smaller than in Seoul and you may find it easier to make close friends.
The one downside, that was already mentioned is that Daegu is a furnace in the summer time. I can't imagine anywhere in Korea being much better though in terms of weather. Good luck wherever you go.

silvertoes · Joined: 13 Feb 2006 Location: Busan

I genuinely have not found Daegu any hotter in summer - or colder in winter - than anywhere else in Korea with the exception of Jeju-do. The hottest and coldest times I've suffered have both been down in Busan, actually.

Roch · Joined: 24 Apr 2003 Location: Seoul

jaganath69 · Joined: 17 Jul 2003

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

Ilsan. Many teachers REQUEST Ilsan, and you'll see why. Wink

Novernae · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

leebumlik69 · Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 9:25 am Post subject: Re: Ilsan or Daegu?

peregrine981 · Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Location: Daegu

Not having been to Ilsan, I can only comment on Daegu. Its pretty conveniently located for trips to anywhere in the country, esp. Busan and Gyeongju, various other worthwhile places too such as Andong and Haeinsa. It has a wonderful climate, except between June and August, its generally warmer than the Seoul area in winter. Good hiking in the area, good amenities available, especially once you know where to look, and the foreigner community is big enough to have variety, but small enough to be friendly. Plus the Koreans are more down to Earth than in the Seoul area.

fandeath79 · Joined: 27 Sep 2006

Ilsan everytime - nice and clean, easy access to islands in summer, close to central seoul on the bus or subway and only 25 mins by taxi to get back from Sinchon or Hongdae on a night out.