Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Czarjorge]

I'm looking for current and up to date feedback on the areas in South Korea that aren't Seoul or Busan. Where else would you recommend?

VanIslander, who I haven't seen around here in awhile, has talked up Geoje quite a bit. It's sounding more interesting by the day. Is Geo Jae Do on Geoje Island? If not where is it, I can't find anything in English online.

What about Ulsan? The wiki is pretty general. What's the expat scene like in Ulsan? Or in any other these other locations you'd recommend.

Or Masan? Can you tell I'm thinking southern coast? What can I say, better climate and air quality appeal to me.

So, there it is, let me have it oldtimers and newbies alike. Other than location I'd like to live somewhere with at least a few other expats, and a bar that caters to our wandering kind. I like the sauce, not everyday but weekly for certain. Other than that I'm pretty open. I've been focused on living and working in Busan but I'm starting to think I'm limiting my options. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, oh, wait, this is Dave's, I'm sure you will.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edit: I'm now in the running for some public school positions in Jinju. Anyone have more detailed information on what kind of a city Jinju would be to live in?

[soviet_man]

Gangwon province is very nice as far as the natural environment features go (mountains, outdoor hiking, heavier snowfalls in winter). A small fishing city like Sokcho would be a nice place to call home (4 or 5 hours from Seoul).

Sure not many foreigners - but after a few years in Korea you tend to appreciate that rather than see it as a disadvantage.

[inthewild]

Does Bundang count as part of Seoul? If not then there, cuz it's cleaner, well planned out, a bit less traffic (?) ... parks/mountains if you ride and some other foreigners. Good shopping and some places to drink.

I lived there 2 years and thought that it didn't suck and was better than Suwon and Ilsan as far as suburbs go.

Um but I'm guessing Busan is alright just hotter...

[Underwaterbob]

I've been in Chungju for the past four years, traveled all over Korea and I almost wouldn't live anywhere else.

Small very dynamic (ie changes regularly) foreigner crowd. A couple foreigner oriented bars. Gorgeous countryside. You can actually get away from Koreans!

They keep most of the industry out of here because we are near the largest supply of fresh water in the country.

I drive a motorcycle and there are loads of great roads with little traffic to ride on.

[losing_touch]

While I am not there yet, I have chosen to go to Ulsan. The person I am replacing claims it is a nice place with a decent expat scene. There are a few bars around the area I will be in. Having Hyundai there means that there are a lot of expats. The beach is pretty close, and it looks nice enough from the photos. The mountains are also nearby. I thought it might suit me better than Seoul. We shall see next month!

[inthewild]

[losing_touch]

[Stormy]

I'm in a very small rural town so haven't done more than visit for a weekend here & there but I really like Daegu. Not too big (compared to Seoul) but big enough to be interesting. Wouldn't mind moving there next contract.

[tonyvu]

[Coffeeprincess]

[branchsnapper]

Ulsan is supposed to be the most polluted and boring big city in the country. Good luck with that, losing touch. (Still, I suppose it is much the same as anywhere else, and you can visit Busan)

[bizrandom]

I researched cities for a year, and decided on Busan, i will be there in a month. I am sure it will all go splendid.

Briz

[Ya-ta Boy]

If you are considering winter climate and avoiding the cold, think Changwon/Masan/Jinhae (they're all connected and really one city). It's less than an hour to Busan by bus. Changwon is the new city. Wide straight streets with quite a few parks. Masan is the older city. Kind of confusing driving around. I think Jinhae is the pick of the litter among the three but there would be more jobs in the other two.

Geoje-do is pretty. I've been several times and like it a lot. But it is an island. It isn't very crowded. Geoje City is on the island. I got there by ferry from Jinhae. If it's stormy you'd have to go to Busan the long way around by way of the bridge at Tong-young (but there might be another bridge).

I've been to Ulsan once. That was enough. Industrial city.

Suncheon, Mokpo, Gwangju and Yeosu are all down south but haven't been.

Farther north on the east coast are Pohang and Sokcho, Gangnung. I think all three would be OK, but pretty far from anywhere. Kyungju is kind of nice--it's just inland from Pohang.

I really like Daejon. It's centrally located. Within shopping distance of Seoul. The northern part of the city is new and pretty nice. One of the better places in the country to live, in my opinion.

No place in the country has the nasty winters you're used to in Iowa. I don't think it's ever gotten below 20F anywhere I've lived.

[loose_ends]

Avoid any small town like the plague. If you want to make 4 million plus a month, move to Seoul.

[Hank the Iconoclast]

I really like Jinju, Tongyeong and Changwon for cities outside of Seoul and Busan. I will actually be re-locating to Tongyeong in November. It has a Lotte Mart and a E-Mart, which already makes it infinitely better than Buyeo I don't care about foreigners but I do at least like having a decent grocery store and a closer proximity to a nice city.