Korean Job Discussion Forums

[SAbabe]

We are leaving for Korea in Feb 2009 and must choose a city.

We are a couple and we have a 8 year old daughter, so we are not into the party scene. I would prefer a city where the polution is not so bad, with nice parks and lakes, good public transport and shopping.

I had a look at Changwon. Can you please give me some advice.

[afsjesse]

I personally like Gangneung, in Gangwondo.

Jinju is also a lovely city in Gyeongsangnamdo.

I think Busan and Daegu are really good also.

Depends on what you want. All these cities have some parks and are fairly decent with transport via bus, cab, etc..

[VanIslander]

[Davew125]

I'm in Changwon, it's a pretty good place to be and fits your description. I couldn't comment on things to do for an eight year old + the education options but it is much prettier (if you can use that word about a korean city ) then any other city ive been in here. There are lots of green spaces, mountains and the like, good transport and everything in the city is within a bike ride. shopping is good with 3 main supermarkets, quite a few cinemas, sports teams and facilities and such. Also, should you want to busan is pretty close as well.

all in all its not a bad place and i much prefer it to Seoul....which i guess you wernt looking at anyway

[bundangbabo]

Thing about Changwon - you will stick out like a sore thumb - the difference between the 'herro' I got there and what I do now in Yongin is
astounding - no-one gives me a second glance here - in Changwon people would hide behind a tree as they saw me walking down the street and would take photos of me on their mobile phones whilst on the bus. (amongst other stupid, purile, immature crap)

Now it is horses for courses and lots of people like living there. I wouldn't subject an 8 year old to it though - however it is a nice place aesthetically and well planned out and modern. I'd think about somewhere else though.

[bundangbear]

BUNDANG

[D.D.]

The air is a lot cleaner in Jinju than Changwon and I think living here with a family would be nice. It's very boring here if you are single. Busan seams like the best place to live in Korea. I go there many weekends and have a good time there.

Jinju is like watching paint dry and the people are nice but conservative.

[Otherside]

Pyongyang

[bundangbabo]

[vampirepirate01]

Somewhere in the mountains might be the best.
Jeju-do also might be a great place, if you like loads of parks, beaches and "a small local population" 11 months of the year.

[AussieGav]

Ilsan is a really nice new city with a great park and lake. It's on the Seoul subway system and has a great downtown area. Would love to live there myself lol.

[EzeWong]

I had this same question before I came to Korea.

Here's some general info.

If you're looking for city life without being crammed in Seoul... Busan is the place to go.
Busan has a good Foreign teacher population, is by the ocean, has decent hiking I'm told, and has plenty to do. In fact, I go down fairly often from Daegu to Busan soley for clubbing. Best of all, has great seafood, Bars are great and it's a big city with lots to do. I know you're not so much into the clubbing scene but it's nice to have the options availbel if you really get bored. There's plenty to do, golfing ranges, PC bamgs. etc..

If you're on the opposite spectrum, I hear Jeju is pretty nice. Many people don't like though. If you're into good scenery, good weather, and picking up oranges off the roads it's a REALLY relaxed lifestyle from what I'm told. But you might be bored if you don't have any pre-planned pastimes for yourself (ie. reading books, video games, etc) because there is not much to do there and you can't take a train to a city easily. On the good side, Jeju is like the "Hawaii" of Korea. I think it's a little too quiet but if you're looking for some peace with your family to get away... I think it's gonna be a great option for you. I also hear that people are VERY ameanable in Jeju. So plan on making some lasting friends.

Daegu I think is right up your alley though. It's in the middle. To me, it's really a children's city.... It's a medium sized city, it has eveyrthing and it feels like a giant suburb all the time. It's not overly crowded unless you want to go downtwon and you have easy acess to eveyrthing. You don't get the same kind of crowd you see in Busan (ie. shady people) because I know with your daughter you want a safe enviroment. People here are very conservative and it's considered one of the hardest working places in Korea. Plenty to do like Busan, but a lot cleaner. What's really good is that Daegu has great spas! And because you like parks, we are in a valley surrounded by mountains...

The hiking is BREATHTAKING. I can atest to that. There are trolleys too so you don't have to worry about hiking too much. There are some parks. A really nice one by a lake near sangindong (where I'm from) that has resturants around and fountain light show at night (but it's kind of pathetic when you compare it to the bellagio in las vegas... still good nevertheless, they play a techno version of vivaldis four seasons so that's entertaining...)

Sorry This writing is kind of all over the place... I haven't had my tea yet and I'm kind of groggy from not waking up on time.

[DCJames]

[VanIslander]

[AussieGav]

Possibly true but the Op has a young family.