Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mscoop1085]

Seongdong-gu, Mapo-gu, Dongjak-gu,Yeongdeungpo-gu? Are these good areas of Seoul in relation to being downtown and near everything, or would I be paying lots of money every weekend for a long taxi ride back home to one of these districts? Any feedback on these districts in Seoul would be great. I am wanting to be near downtown and I know Gangnam, Jung, and Seodaemun-gu's is where everything is happening for a younger person. Just wanting to know about these other gu's I mentioned at the top of this thread in relation to Gangnam,Jung, and Seodaemun. Thank you

[PigeonFart]

Since you talked about getting taxi's home every weekend then i presume you want information on NIGHTLIFE. (If you were talking about shopping then you'd be getting the bus/subway home i suppose).

Everybody has different tastes, some like Hongdae, some like Itaewon, some like Gangnam.

In my opinion Mapo-gu and Yeongdeongpo-gu are the best locations. Not that these areas themselves are good for nightlife, but their close proximity (within a 5,000 won cab ride) to Hongdae and Sinchon makes them great....in my opinion.

Paradoxically, living close to your preferred nightlife district can pose a minor problem. When i lived close to my favorite place (a 5,000 won ride away), the taxi drivers' often refused me so i'd have to flag down another few taxis before i'd succeed in getting one willing to take me home.

When i lived far away (a 20,000 won ride), i easily got taxis home...every time. This is because you will find it easier to get a taxi home when the driver is going to earn more money.

Although that's only a minor point so i still think it's best to find a place near your preferred nightclubbing destination. What's yours?

Mapo and Yeongdeongpo are closest to Hongdae/Sinchon, and relatively close to Itaewon. Gangnam would be the furthest away...but still within a 15,000 cab ride (give or take a few).

Dongjak is very close to Itaewon and Gangnam.

Seongdong-gu is also very close to Itaewon and Gangnam. Hongdae/Sinchon would be furthest away, but still not that far on the grand scale of things. All the locations you are talking about are very central. Taxis are cheap so i would worry about this too much. Have a nice time in Seoul.

The link below shows all the districts (Gu's) geographical positions in relation to each other....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Map_Seoul_districts_de.png

[michaelambling]

[crossmr]

because they all want long fairs. Apparently its illegal. You should learn the Korean for "That is fine, I'll just report you" and get that english complaint number that someone has posted here a few times. They promise to take care of that kind of stuff. Jot down their taxi number.

[PigeonFart]

That's a good idea. If someone knows how to say "I'll report you" in Korean then please write it here....and that phone number too.

(search mechanism doesn't work too well on this website)

It's very irritating and doesn't leave a good impression. Nor does those cabbies trying to sollicit customers around the '7-11' store in hongdae. One guy approached me and asked me where i was going. I said "Mokdong." He then offered to take me there for 15,000 !!! (it should be no more than 5,000). So i said "No, not bloody Busan, Mokdong!" If i was from out of town and didn't know any better i might have accepted that. A newbie friend of mine paid 100,000 to get a taxi from Incheon airport to Mokdong ! Bloody cabbies.

Anyway, this tends to only happen late at night in the popular hotspots, so the OP shouldnt worry about this too much. If he picks any of those Gu's then he'll be doing all right in my opinion.

[egrog1717]

[crossmr]

[T-J]

[Ukon]

I live at the edge of seong-dong....Taxi rides were around 17k a pop....it kinda sucked....however nights go long in korea so partying late till the subway started up again was common.

The train to Hongdae took 25-40 minutes....However, there are other areas of seoul such as Apgujeong and Gangnam that are closer to eastern seoul.