Korean Job Discussion Forums

skibum80 · Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Location: Austin

I know it all depends on the person. I am trying to decide whether I should take a job in Llsan or Gwangju. ANY information would be helpful.

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

Do you mean Ilsan? If Ilsan, then it's Ilsan in a slam dunk.

skibum80 · Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Location: Austin

Thanks any info. helps. Go Red Raiders

dmbfan · Joined: 09 Mar 2006

skibum80 · Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Location: Austin

Texas Tech was alright but Im glad to be out of Lubbock. Currently, I am teaching in Austin and I should be in Korea in June. Did you go to Tech?

julian_w · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 6:27 am Post subject: Gwangju...?

Did you mean Gwangju in Jeollanamdo? If so, then there's no competition.

skibum80 · Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Location: Austin

Did you mean Gwangju in Jeollanamdo? If so, then there's no competition.

So Julian you say Gwangju over Ilsan?

julian_w · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 4:11 pm Post subject: Yes

Yeah, I do.

If you use the search function just up top between FAQ and Memberlist you'll most probably find bunches of threads on Gwangju versus other places. I've spent more than my two cents of opinion on the place, and others have too. Since I used to live there a few years ago, the place has only gotten better, in many ways.

It does depend what you want, of course. Some people seem to feel the more complete strangers surround them, the merrier they are, and enjoy being stuck in the throng, traffic and smog... and to be fairly fair the opportunities that make up Seoul... or to be nearer there, anyway.

I understand that POV; I just don't identify with it.

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

Ilsan is a MUCH better place and you have access, by subway, to all of Seoul.
Gwangju is the middle of nowhere. Check it out on the map.

"Fight, Matadors, for Tech...." Very Happy

julian_w · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 6:21 pm Post subject: Nowhere, sweet nowhere.

PBRstreetgang21 · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 1:49 am Post subject:

if its Gwangju, jeollanamdo then its hands down Gwangju. Gwangju Gyeongdo its hands down Ilsan.

gwangju is hardle "The middle of nowhere", its a decent sized city in its own right will plenty to do. Plus the food in Gwangju blows Seoul food out of the water, not to mention the people. People in gwangju have been some of the nicest people I have ever met in my life.

I mean look, if you need tons of foreign amenities and a subway system to take you from one end of the universe to the other. Then by all means. But if you want to get a more Korean experience, see more friendly koreans, and have a much smaller but close-knit foriegner community then its Gwangju totally. Ilsan is still suburb and the real action is still in Seoul. There is stuff to keep you occupied in Ilsan but....If you wanna get to Seoul it'll be a good trip on the subway (its been a long while since I made that schelpp but i remember getting to Hongdae was close to an hour.

Gwangju has just as much culture to offer, its a city of 1.5 million so there is stuff to do. An awesome foreign bar, and the mountains are right there. I remember taking a taxi from downtown to the foot of the taller mountain and its was 9 bucks.

You want the best Korean food and the nicest Korean people, better access to fresh air, a close-knit foreign community, and city you can actually wrap your head around? Gwangju.

You want the suburbs of Seoul with long treks on the subway downtown and expensive cab rides home for after hours partying, blander korean food, and big city people who can be occasionally kind but largely indifferent or more than occasional gruff to just rude.....then Ilsan is where its at. I will say this. There are LOADS more nightclubs and bars and trendy spots in Ilsan/Seoul. So if you need the trendy or just plain BIG nightlife....Ilsan/Seoul

You want a more peaceful, more fun, more KOREAN experience, Gwangju. Its were Ill be soon enough.

Smee · Joined: 24 Dec 2004 Location: Jeollanam-do

I've also posted my two cents on Gwangju many times, so it's easy to find information on it here. Julian and PBR did a good job summing up. I just want to point out for the millionth time re: the "middle of nowhere" line. First of all, it isn't the middle of nowhere. Secondly, this is Korea . . . travelling north to south and coast to coast is easy, it's a small country. It's not like taking a bus from Seattle to Boston, or whatever. Gwangju, like most towns and cities, has excellent transportation, so when you have the urge to visit Seoul or Busan or wheverever it's not too bad. Gwangju to Seoul is, what, four hours by bus? You can easily spend a weekend in Seoul without missing much sleep.

Adventurer · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

hugekebab · Joined: 05 Jan 2008

i totally agree i just moved here, its modern, loads of shopping, loads of weird stuff going on and everyone i have met apart from a guy in the electronic department store has been unbeleivably friendly and helpful...

the food is bloody cracking...

i was in seoul for a night so cant really make a comparison.

Adventurer · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

I have been to the Gwangju area once only. It is hard for me to judge. I did feel the people were quite friendly. They are probably friendlier than the city people of Ilsan. They are more country-like in Gwangju, but Ilsan is very clean, has a lot of things to do, and it is closer to Seoul. Ilsan has Lafesta which is nice to walk around, Lake Park, and the new area called Westerndom. If you want more of a typical, older style of Korea, then go to Gwangju, if you want a taste of Korea and home mixed together, go to Ilsan. Definitely, the mountains are nice around Gwangju, but I prefer Ilsan. Ilsan is awesome. Plus, Gwangju is 3 hours away from Seoul by KTX. You can get to Seoul by subway from Ilsan in one hour and 10 minutes (to Itaewon). That's a lot cheaper and it takes less time. I did enjoy Gwangju, it is a nice area, and the people are very nice from what I say. I will agree with that, and there seems to be a tight-knit foreign community there.