Korean Job Discussion Forums

[merrilee]

I'm moving to Seoul mid-February, and it looks like HBC is what I'll be able to afford. If you live there, how do you like it, and what don't you like?

[Bibbitybop]

I don't live there, but some of my friends do. What I hate about it is rush hour traffic, clogged streets and narrow streets. If you drive or have to take a taxi, you are fuked. If you walk to the subway, you walk a considerable distance.

[petethebrick]

If other foreigner types and bars/food that reminds you of home are your thing then it'll suit you fine. Personally I love heading over there once in a while for a kebab(s), beers, pub quiz etc but wouldn't be overly pushed on living there. Keep looking if you dont end up liking it, even though the key money can be off putting you can usually find a good deal if you search hard enough.

[Kenny Kimchee]

Pros

-Foreign restaurants

- Shop proprietors are accustomed to dealing with foreigners; locals will never stare at you because they've seen it all before

-Walk to Itaewon in about 20 minutes

-13 minute subway ride to Sangsu station (the back of the Hongdae area); HBC is located near Noksapyeong Station www.nearsubway.com

-Quick bus to Apkujeong

-Easy for foreigners to get housing; good value for money
see http://www.edenrealty.co.kr/

-Lots of foreigners, which can be comforting for someone moving to Korea for the first time; good for networking and getting info on jobs, life, etc.



Cons

-Transportation to pretty much everywhere but Hongdae, Itaewon, and Apkujeong is inconvenient

- Almost all of the housing is on a hill and is far from the subway station; typically, it will take you 15 minutes to get from the subway platform to your apartment door

-Poor selection of Korean restaurants

-Supermarket is small, overpriced, and has poor selection of goods

-All those other whities with those sourpusses on their faces as they trudge back from the subway can bring you down

-Risk of getting trapped in the Phillies crowd, sitting around drinking and whingeing about how badly this place sucks (hey, kinda like this board!) instead of making the best of your situation


Verdict

It's a good place for first timers, illegal Canadians, teachers without sponsored housing, or people who need to be around other foreigners.

[SarcasmKills]

[PRagic]

It's a dive, and it smells like a dog track.

[MissSeoul]

HBC used be the slums in Seoul a long time ago, I don't know what is like now.

[Kenny Kimchee]

[SarcasmKills]

[Hyeon Een]

I live in HBC now and would much rather live in a more Korean neighbourhood. I moved here because of the cheap rent pretty much. Positives:

It's not too far from Jongro/Myeong-Dong/Itaewan/Gangnam or even Sinchon and Hongdae.

Lots of apartments with terraces =) I LOVE my huge terrace with an awesome view. It's the best thing about my apartment by a long way. Great for entertaining if you like to throw parties for 20+. It's also a convenient location for people coming from all over the city.

Landlords are willing to rent to and are used to foreigners.

Negatives:

The local shops SUCK. Sure they have imported stuff, but it it is WAY overpriced. And so are staple goods. Also none of the shopkeepers are friendly unless they're drunk. I could count the number of times I've received 'service' in the shops I frequently visit here on the digits of an earthworm. It would also be hell for Tomato because they either do the calculator trick or speak to you in English when you pay.

It's hilly.

The nearest big supermarket is at Yongsan station which isn't all that close.

There's too many foreigners.

It's a ghetto.