Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jillbean1217]

Before anyone gets cranky, I tried to perform a search using just "Daegu" and came up with 81 pages worth of crap. I also tried researching "Living in Daegu" but there were 1800+ results, most of which were irrelevant.

I was wondering if anyone could tell me about their living experiences in Daegu. I know next to nothing about the city and am curious about their standards of living, amount of westerners, geography, etc. If anyone could share their personal experiences with me, I would most certainly appreciate it.

J

[Jimskins]

I lived in Daegu a couple of years ago, and am returning to live next month. Daegu is a great city for a number of reasons, including:

1.It's a good jumping off point for most of the sights in SK, which are mainly in the South, e.g. you can decide Saturday morning/lunchtime to go to the beach at Busan, or check out Gyoungju -that day. If you MUST go to Seoul the KTX takes about 3 hours.

2.It's fairly cheap (not being Seoul) and if you want 'back-home' food there are lots of big superstores with Western goods and a Costco. But the Korean food and nightlife is great I was on 1.9 when I was there, went out three+ nights a week, did and bought what I wanted and still mangaged to send home a million a month.

3.It IS hot in Summer (it's the hottest city in Korea), but it's easy to get out to Palgonsan, Gatbawi and other great countryside from downtown in about half an hour. Daegu is basically in a big bowl, surrounded by mountains, I never really thought about it but I guess pollution could be an issue - but we're not talking Mexico City levels- I did a lot of running when I was there and never noticed any ill-effects. It's also more bearable in the winter.

4.It's big, but not too big. You can get everything you need and do everything you want but also get to know the city fairly well if you get about (I recommend a bicycle)

5.There is a large foreign community with a few 'foreigner bars ' if you don't want to mix with the locals. I can't estimate exactly how many weygooks but -downtown on a Friday night- we're not talking a few hundred, a lot more. But we're well mixed in with the locals, it's not like the nightmare of Itaewon (you can tell I don't like Seoul - can't you ) Another plus is that US army knuckleheads are few and far between.

6. Daegu is known as a fairly conservative city, nearly all of Korea's presidents have come from here (resulting in a disproportionate amount of public money being spent on the area) or the surrouding region, but you can still meet Korean girls (or boys) and take them out and about without too many stares.

7.It's actually a nice city to look at, with lots of parks and not too many high rises downtown

oh, and,
8.Daegu FC fighting!!!!!!!!

But, according to my (Korean) girlfriend Daegu is DANGEROUS, she says there are always fires and gas explosions (there was a serious subway fire there a few years ago in which hundreds died -though it was arson). I always laugh at her, but must say that I have seen two large building fires downtown - so maybe there is something in it

I have several friends who tried Busan, Seoul, Gwangju and Daejon after Daegu and have now returned. It seems to be one of the best places to live in Korea (barring fires and explosions).

[Newbie]

If you've never lived in Seoul, Daegu would seem nice.

Easy to get around as it isn't so big.

Big grocery stores with a tonne of western products.

Lots of western restaurants and some "other" asian restaurants.

Some really posh areas, some dirty areas.

Close to Busan and only 1.5 hours by train to Seoul.

The nightlife in Daegu, compared to Seoul, blows. But I know a good number of people who are content with Daegu's nightlige. They've never lived in Seoul.

Modern... don't worry about that.

Hottest city.

Almost no snow in winter.

"conservative" but I walk around with a Korean wife with no hassles and no one has ever bothered me about my tattoos.

[crescent]

[Milwaukiedave]

I lived in Daegu for a year and besides the heat in the summer it was not too bad. It does get really hot there. Now I'm living over in Gwangju and while it's not as hot as Daegu, it's almost as bad.

[jillbean1217]

Thanks for all of your answers.
I'm not really a nightlife person--I only like to go out occasionally. I guess I'm more of a loner, but really I just dislike spending money on booze. I'm glad to hear there is a Costco, etc. there and a pretty decent amount of foreigners.

A few questions if anyone has specifics--

What's the average high and low temp. there? I'm from the Midwest, so I'm used to a pretty wide range, although I'm excited to hear it hardly ever snows. Goodbye Ohio winters! What about humidity? Is it more of a dry heat?

Also, can anyone recommend a good gym there? I'm not looking so much for weight lifting or the like as I am for cardio--I need to work off my fat american a$$

I know there is a whole sticky dedicated to pet adoption, but I couldn't find anything on Daegu specifically. Do you know if there are any shelters, etc. around?

Thanks again for your help!

[SirFink]

[crescent]

[Newbie]

[Eedoryeong]

I find this all very interesting and useful as I had turned down a gig in Daegu because Koreans and foreigners here told me it was the worst place for foreigners. Maybe the climate's changed or maybe I just need to hear more happy stories from there. Keep 'em coming.

[maddog]

Daegu = Crap.

Crap weather. Crap nightlife. A distinct lack of foriegn cuisine.

Toss a coin and choose between Seoul and Busan.

[xingyiman]

Daegu is an hour away from Pohang - the most racist city in Korea, so the attitudes aren't going to be as mellow as they are in Seoul and how people view foreigners is definately different.

[crescent]

[jillbean1217]

[jillbean1217]