Korean Job Discussion Forums

[otnemem]

My girlfriend and I have been offered a couples position that seems pretty solid in Goyang, near Wondang Station. The contract was reviewed surprisingly well here, and the foreign teachers that we have been in contact with seem pretty positive about the school on the whole, albeit with a few misgivings of course. The timing is perfect for us, so the one thing we are still hung up on is the area. There seems to be a ton of info on Ilsan, which seems great, but very little on the area we are looking at. Of course, we would be pretty close to both Ilsan, and Seoul in general, but we'd like to know a bit more about our area, Deokyang-gu I guess?

Are there a good deal of foreigners? Places for recreation/parks? Any fun bars? We know that we'll probably be in Seoul or Ilsan most weekends, but it would be nice if there was something to do when we don't feel like hoping on the subway midweek or the occasional lazy weekend.

Thanks

[curiousaboutkorea]

I haven't spent a bunch of time around there, but I was in the area recently. It didn't seem like there was a whole lot going on. There was some activity, some businesses, but definitely not anything comparable to Ilsan, much less Seoul. It's kind of out in the farming area that takes up a good bit of Goyang (between Ilsan and Seoul is a lot of farms).

But I would look into it more. Seoul isn't that far away, and Ilsan is even closer. So, like you said, you can always go to those cities. I'm sure you'll find some stuff to do around there, but it's definetely no thriving center of activity.

[ThingsComeAround]

The above poster got it right- Deogyang is kind of a dead city. There is Hwajeong (some activity there) but other than that you could be SOL.

Wondang is nestled between 2 mountains, so you have some beautiful views, hiking trails. It is a nice place

[HapKi]

There is a popular zoo there called Thema ZooZoo, which is popular with the kids as its a big petting zoo with shows and stuff. There's a Thai crocodile show (with Thai trainers) and a Chinese acrobatic show (with Chinese trainers, bears and lions), so you won't be the only foreigners about . Just driving through the area, the others posters are correct. Surrounded by farming community, plenty of mountain activities, close by both Ilsan, and the highway to the airport and into Seoul.

[otnemem]

Petting zoos and Chinese acrobatics isn't quite how I like to spend my nights, but I didn't really expect too much. Being around mountains and hiking is definitely a plus. I guess all I'm really hoping for is at least one place I can stop and grab a drink at after work without having to hop on a subway, along with at least a few Westerners that live and work there as well.


We're relatively close to taking the offer. It just seems tough for us to find any other couple positions that will interview us in or around Seoul, and the fact that its a decent hagwon with the perfect start date, and a pretty nice 2 bedroom apartment for us makes it a pretty attractive opportunity in this market. We're just afraid that we'll spend our year there wishing we lived in Ilsan or in Seoul. I appreciate your comments, and likewise to anyone else who as anything to add

[ChinaChao1]

Yeah, what they all said. You'll be near Sinchon though, if I'm not mistaken. Other than that, there is not much going on.

[curiousaboutkorea]

I don't think its that close to Sinchon, 40 minutes maybe...

Not to hijack the thread, but I found ZooZoo rather depressing . The animals were poorly taken care of; it's obvious they don't have the proper veterinarians and such to keep the animals healthy. A lot are in nasty cages and/or have no escape from the hot sunlight (no shade). Animals are paraded around, bears on two legs. Crocodiles with their mouths taped shut so they can be petted, and a dressed-up orangutan for photo ops with visitors. However, you'll see the orangutan's keeper with a baton that he uses to knock the orangutan's head when it "misbehaves." I have to admit, a monkey riding a donkey is pretty funny, though.

[quesik]

Wondang is a pretty quiet area. I have a friend there and I've been there a couple of times. It's pretty dead as far as activity goes and there's not really anything to do there but there are some good places to take walks and enjoy nature.
Ilsan isn't that great either so my suggestion would be moving somewhere near Seoul if you're looking for a city life or something with more excitement. I currently live in Ilsan and been here for 6 months but always end up going to Seoul every weekend because of the difference in social activity and the surroundings.

[tjyoung]

I live in GoYang, and I like it. I'm next to the Hwajeong subway station, and the area has everything you need, as well as handy subway and bus access to Seoul and Ilsan. The KTX station is also very close. There are a lot of foreigners about, and the local people are friendly. If you have a good school, and a good apt, then I wouldn't worry too much about the neighbourhood. I've lived in much worse!

[otnemem]

Thats good to hear TJ, we decided to take the position and will be ariving in mid-October. Thanks for the advice everyone

[minnesota]

I think you will enjoy this area. I live in Hwajeong and on my nightly runs I basically go to Wondang Station and back. It's quiet which I enjoy, and I'm 23/male. Although not a heavy drinker, I enjoy a drink and it can be had virtually anywhere. SK is all about drinking, I would be surprised if there wasn't some kind of bar near you...they sell it everywhere...you can buy it at the minimarts and no need for brown baggin' it.

Hwajeong is about 2 miles away (1 subway stop) and there are bars here too. There are also many buses which I like taking better than the subway because they're faster and more convenient. (unless its rush hour)

If you need Western food there is a CostCo in Baekseok three stops from Wondang.

Hope you like it here! Welcome to Goyang!

[sojusucks]

On a Friday or Saturday night, Go To Hwajeong Station (316). Get off, and walk towards the middle of either side of the station- especially the side with McDonalds and Krispy Kreme. There are lost of bars, pubs, and restaurants. You can enjoy some good food and a nice night of drinking not far from home.

[curiousaboutkorea]

Let's GoYang

[PaperTiger]

It's out in the middle of nowhere if it's anywhere near Wondang. Please don't tell me she took that job at the technical high school...that place is nowhere near the subway line and kids who are going to grow up to do nails, hair, and mufflers aren't going to be your most motivated students. Hey, what do I know? Maybe you'll turn it around, maybe by the end they'll stand on their desks and cry "O Captain, my Captain". Could be the makings of the next inspirational Lifetime Original.

If you think going to Seoul might be important to you...think twice about living in Goyang...it's a trek. The upside....Goyang is chockfull of people who own large, American-styled houses with garages and lawns...which means these people live the way people on TV do. Plenty of privates for ridiculous amounts an hour. Goyang and Ilsan are pretty, that's for sure.

Comin to the peninsula with your girlfriend? Someone oughta start a thread about the pitfalls of that scenario.

[DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP]

Goyang is nice. One of the nicest places I've ever lived and for me preferable to living in Seoul.

Only a 40 minute bus trip to Seoul Station anyway. People are nicer and more laid back and there are more wide open spaces and parks etc... A few minutes by subway or bus to Juyeop and you may as well be in Seoul anyway becasue there you'll find huge dept stores and the awesome La Festa and the new Western Dome shopping / entertainment complexes with several Imax cinemas, foriegn food restaurants, any kind of store you can imagine and evben a few foriegner bars. The Koreans their are friendlier and more laid back too.

Don't listen to the naysayers - Goyang is a VERY good place to be located. I also have several friends who live ' have lived there and they'd all agree.

Let's Goyang!!!!