Korean Job Discussion Forums

[skeptical]

Hello, everyone.

I just might be arriving in Incheon later on in February to live (from Canada), teaching at a public school, and I was wondering if any of you have either taught in any of the schools or have lived there long enough to tell me any tips regarding the following.

1) How much is rent for apartments there, compared with other places in the country? Is it feasible to expect to find a studio apartment somewhere for, say, 300,000 won per month? What will 300,000 won per month get me, realistically speaking?

2) How do you enjoy life there in general? Are there good natural places, parks, temples, or anything like that nearby where I can perhaps go hiking on retreats away from the hustle and bustle of city life--and if not, where are some good places close to Incheon I can look into going, on trips of this sort? (mountain hiking would be ideal).

Well, generally, has anyone here taught in Incheon before, and if so, how do you rate the city compared with other places in Korea to teach or to live? Thanks.

[waynehead]

Incheon's as good or bad as pretty much anywhere in Korea, excepting Seoul, but it has the added advantage of being the closest big city to Seoul. If you hunt around you won't have too much trouble finding a (small) place for 300-400k a month, but I'm surprised you're doing this instead of taking the housing your school offers...most people (esp. first timers) do this. Not that it's necessarily the wrong choice, the housing my public school put me in this year is not quite what I'd have settled for if I had my druthers.

The city itself is pretty dirty and bustling and I don't know of many retreats that would satisfy most people. But there are a few island off the coast that can be quite lovely, Ganghwa and Wolmi. They're reasonably accessible by subway/bus/taxi. They're pretty good places to get away.

[skeptical]

oh, you're in Incheon yourself? I am basically deciding whether or not I should go for the housing offered, or a place I find on my own. I'm leaning toward the housing offered at the moment, as it will certainly take a load of work off my shoulders doing so.

the islands look quite interesting, and it was a part of my decision to go there actually. the beaches too, of course, as I am desperate for some swimming as soon as possible. thanks for your thoughts on this. you just might be the first person I've come in contact with who both lives there and teaches there.

cheers for your input.

[bgreenster]

I also live in Bupyeong.

If it's possible, maybe get the housing they offer until you get settled and comfortable here. I wouldn't want to deal with finding an apartment upon arrival- I would never have known what to do!

I will say, as someone who moved to Incheon with idealistic hopes of hitting up the beach and swimming, etc.: it's not like that. Yes, on the weekends, you can go to the islands, and they're pretty nice... but they're crowded, not like "real" beaches (generally, at least until you go out to the further-away islands) and you don't really swim in the Sea- it's quite polluted.

That reads negative, but I do like living here. It's just that I chose Incheon because my boss told me it was coastal/I could go to the beach, and I figured it would be nice to be near Seoul but not in it. If I did it again, I would probably go to Busan, were there are beaches (and islands nearby).

I can answer any specific questions you have, of course Feel free to message me!

*Edit: I forgot to add that there are decent places to hike in the Incheon area- nothing like the mountains in Gangwon-do, but fun for a quick hike during the day.. plus, it's not difficult to get out to Seoraksan, et al.*

[ttompatz]

[Chris Kwon]

I could be wrong, but I heard the beaches in Incheon aren't that good, that most people go to the east coast. That's just what I heard from one source.

[waynehead]

The best beach on the west coast is probably boryeong, which isn't that far from Incheon (3 hours? +/-).

[skeptical]

[skeptical]

[skeptical]

[skeptical]

[skeptical]

[liverpooljohnny81]

if youre interested in buddhism even the slightest bit the lotus lantern international meditation center is a great place in terms of nature/relaxation. its maybe an hour and a half bus ride from incheon. i dont remember exactly but i think the name of the area it's in is Gang Hwa Do which may be an island, and which, I believe, has other nature spots too.

i am another one who signed up for incheon thinking id be going to the beach after classes, but i like it here. my neighborhood is great, and anything else i want (culturally, naturally, etc) is not far and easily accesible.

[Tho25]

I'm heading to incheon to start in march to teach at a public school as well... i think i'll be in Gyeyang gu area


Whereabouts are you going?