Korean Job Discussion Forums

[demaratus]

Hi all, I am researching (this never seems to end for me, lol) which area of Korea I want to live in. Seoul seems to be the front runner. As I have decided that Seoul is probably the place for me I now am looking into which area I should live in. The areas that interest me the most are: Yongsan-gu (for its central location on the city map), Mapo-gu (I believe the popular Hongdae area is here), Gangnam-gu (listed by many people here as a great place to be), Jung-gu and Seocho-gu (for their proximities to the other areas). I am also considering nearby suburbs like Bundang, Anyang et...

To help you, help me here is some information about me and what I want. I am a Canadian (Saskatchewan-ite) man who will be 28 in April (around the same time I will be arriving in Korea). I have lived and taught in Asia recently (Kaohsiung, Taiwan). I like big cities but I also like accessiblility and proximity to what the city has to offer. I enjoy a good nightlife and like a good selection of restaurants (Thai, Indian, Vietnamese, Korean, ect). Access to shopping doesnt matter too much to me as I will be bringing a lot of clothes and hygene products with me. I wouldnt mind reasonably close access to a Costco or similar store for the western fix and bulk groceries. I would like to live in an area that is vibrant and alive but not too loud or too much of a foriegn ghetto. I have had my own transport all my own life and I dont think I will in Seoul, so a good transport hub would also be a plus.

If I have missed any areas please feel free to add another and any constructive advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Dem

[mole]

No area of Seoul is fit for human habitation.

[twg]

Public transportation here is cheap, frequent and will get you pretty much anywhere you need to be within a reasonable amount of time.

And, fortunately or unfortunately depending up your view, the city is more or less exactly the same wherever you live. If you plan to spend your time in Itaewon or Hongdae (places with the restaurants and night life you seek), being on the city edges or in the "suburbs" of Bundang or Ilsan would be a pain in the ass for you. But there's nowhere that's particularly inconvenient.

But I would avoid the older, more central parts of the city that look like this because the buildings are by and large, moldy pieces of shit.

[demaratus]

Thanks for the response twg,

Perhaps a better question would be what areas are to be avoided?

I think that the areas of mapo-gu and jung-gu look the most attractive but admittedly dont really have a clue.

[niandralades]

Did you end up taking a job in Seoul? Where?

I will be in Seocho-Gu in November...also a fellow Saskatchewan-ite...good luck.

[recoba]

From what you say...I'd suggest somewhere in Gangnam. But I'd avoid Yongsan, there is the US military base there (I think), the war memorial museum, a huge railway depot and maybe the biggest electronics market in Asia. Not an ideal place to live, despite it's appearing to be central on the map.

Gangnam would probably be your best bet for the restaurants, anyway. The subway will be the easiest way for you to get around, so study a subway map. Line 3 (orange line) cuts through the middle of the city (roughly), taking in Gangnam south of the river, so consider some of the places along that if you want your transport to be really easy.

[Roch]

[samd]

Gangnam-gu and Seocho-gu are expensive and nothing special. Mapo-gu, Jongro-gu or Yongsan-gu would be better.

[twg]

Nah, they're crap piles too

[recoba]

[ajgeddes]

[twg]

[ajgeddes]