Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sweet_potato]

Hello
I'm starting my big Korean teaching adventure at the end of August, but I have decided to come to Seoul 5 days early to explore and such. My job won't be anywhere near Seoul, so I figured this would be a good opportunity to see the city and such.
As I am on a limited budget, can anybody recommend cheapish places to stay? I am mostly concerned with safety of my belongings. I would also prefer to be somewhere central so I can see and do more in 5 days. I've never been to Korea before so I don't really know what to expect but I am open to suggestions and things. I am coming with a friend and we're both in the same situation heh

Can anybody recommend any sites for motels/hostels whatever?
Any suggestions on what to do in Seoul mid August?

[summer33ny]

That's kind of unusual for you to come early. Most teachers here for a year will at some point have time to visit Seoul! Even at the the most southern point of the peninsula (where I live actually) Seoul is just a 5 hour bus ride (or 1 hour plane ride from here or Jeju). Nothing is too far or inaccessible in Korea. It's not like being back home in the states traveling from LA to New York.

But then I am just sounded like a jaded ESL teacher like all the others here. But honestly, you will have plenty of time to explore Korea while you're here. You're here a year!

As for hotels--I have asked this question many times as Seoul is not an area I am familiar with. And I have been referred to the website Hotelwide many time. You may want to check that out for hotels and book before coming. Otherwise, it is going to be difficult for you to show up with all your luggage for a year and have to scramble to find a cheap love motel on the fly (as most foreigners tend to do while traveling within the country)

If you're coming alone and you have no clue about Korea at all and have no friends currently living here... maybe you should look for a hotel in the Itaewon area of Seoul. This is the foreigner-friendly part of Seoul. It is swamped with foreigners and since Seoul is big and you don't speak the language or know your way around.. that may be the smoothest transition for you into the country.

Good luck.

[climber159]

What's a limited budget? How much are you looking to spend per night?

Since you're new and looking to stay somewhere in central Seoul, I'd suggest Itaewon as a possibility. Forget the Hamilton Hotel; stay at the Seoul Motel (around 35,000KRW/night) or the Doro (about 60,000KRW/night).

Itaewon would be a good place to stay as it's central and has many other foreigners who may be willing to help give you directions to various places in the city.

There are other places around the Myeong-dong area that I've heard others speak of. I just can't remember what these places are.

Edit:
Mid-August will be HOT and HUMID. I'm a little bored with Seoul at this point, but you should check out Namdaemun Market, Myeong-dong, Insa-dong, one or two of the palaces, the national museum, Yongsan electronics market, The Blue House, Namsan Tower (if there's a clear day), Yeouido and the 63 Building, Gangnam area, Mt. Bukhan, and maybe shoot up to the DMZ for a day. Just some suggestions. I'd pick up a guide book and go from there. Ask around when you get here too.

[guerillera]

I stayed in Itaewon once and wasn't a big fan... it seemed more expensive than other parts of the city and my hotel room was tiny.

I liked staying here: http://www.staykorea.co.kr/ I think it is near Honggik uni.

If you don't mind dorm setting, a guest house would be cheaper than a cheap hotel.