Korean Job Discussion Forums

[saram_]

I'd like to know what people think about living in Itaewon as opposed to other parts of Seoul..

I have lived in Seoul before for a couple of years but not very central and often ended up traveling long distances to places like Itaewon or Hongdae on weekends ( not all the time, but I did enjoy going to them places quite a bit). I've been offered a place to stay in Itaewon but I think living right there in Itaewon will be a lot different and I'm not sure exactly what to expect. I guess what I am trying to get at is Itaewon an ok place to live a normal Seoul life. I don't intend spending all my time in the pub etc...but for example are the temptations too great for most people...??

Can people (especially those who have experience of living in different parts of Seoul/Korea) who live there list out some good and bad points about living in Itaewon??

Cheers!!


PS..I have digged up this thread...
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?p=1964309

I cant be accused of not doing any research about it... So the area is about 5 mins or less walk to the Geckos bar area and the main strip..down that street there near Geckos. Just for more info..

[redaxe]

Good points: lots of foreigner-friendly bars and restaurants nearby
Bad points: lots of drunk foreigners making noise outside your window

[prideofidaho]

I've lived in Suyu dong and Itaewon dong.

What I like most about living in the Itaewon area is its centrality, the proximity to foreign food shops, the restaurants, and that I can ride my bike down to the Han river park.

What I don't like is that there tends to be a trashy nightlife which consists of people who don't live in the neighborhood, and thus don't respect it. I am all for a bit of debauchery, and I think the hills cater to that, but I don't like the aggression that I often feel in the air. But for every trashy aggressive bar, there is a cool laid back lounge. I guess you just have to pick your spots.

What I liked about Suyu dong was the breathtaking views of Bukhansan as I walked through the side streets.

What I didn't like was the drunken debauchery and general feeling of aggression of students letting out their weekday frustration by consuming way too much booze. Actually, I was assaulted in Suyu dong, so I really don't get that scared in Itaewon. That sort of thing can happen anywhere.

Hope this is helpful.

[Xuanzang]

Cheap and spacious living. Albeit in older accomodation.

[DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP]

I lived in Itaewon up near the msoque for a year.

Pros.

1. Cheap accomodation, although older.
2. Tons of great and varied international food
3. Cool bars to go for a pint after work, better than Korean style hofs and you can play a few games of pool after work and meet other foriegners.
4. No travel to go out at the weekends and no long bus / subway ride home at 6am either...
5. For me, just a sense of being somewhere more stimulating and varied than your usual K town....
6. More foriegn girls around and Korean girls who speak english and like foriegn guys.

Cons

1. The only one for me is that sometimes you just don't want to be around the drunk out of their brain gi's or esl teachers who all act like they're still at college. But then you can always jump a subway elsewhere if you need to get out of it...

[saram_]

How do general costs compare to other parts of Seoul? Eating in Korean Restaurants etc.. Not talking about Gangnam, Apgujeong etc here... I am talking about places off the beaten track.

I've been used to living and eating in these kind of places (for example, Cheonho or Silim) and I'm a bit worried I wont have the luxury of eating so cheaply there in Itaewon. I do intend saving some money.....

Is that realistic without going down the road of working crazy extra hours in PT Gigs..?

I don't intend eating in foreign restaurants all the time. From my limited experience of Itaewon..there don't appear to be so many Korean restaurants there that are reasonably priced compared with most other places in Seoul- You know, a good aul kimbap chong guk etc

[samcheokguy]

You can buy a kebab and a coke at a family mart for the same price as a kimbab chunguk. There is even a food store under Gecko's right?

[saram_]

[Xuanzang]

Korean food in and around Itaewon and Hannam dong will be catered to foreigners (tourists) and a little more expensive than usual. They have buddae jiggae, galbi places, etc but mainly for the tourists. The prices are higher.

[phoneboothface]

Con: Transportation is a *beep*, especially during rush hour, if you werk in Gangnam / have more than 2 jobs. IMO.

[Xuanzang]

[roadwork]

[SeoulShakin]

I lived there. Liked the proximity to more varied grocery items.

As for busses, the 13, 14 and 15 all go through Itaewon and then turn down towards Bogwangdong by the Han.

[Palladium]

I have a friend who lives in the Itaewon, sky high rent and noisy! I live in the boonies in a 3 bedroom, 2 bath apartment with fresh air and lots of hiking. On the downside, the shopping out here sucks!

[phoneboothface]