Korean Job Discussion Forums

PeteMoses · Joined: 08 Sep 2009 Location: Scotland

Hi everyone.
Was originally supposed to be going to Donghae, but have just received word that I'll be going to Taebaek instead, specifically Jangsung Elementary. Google Earth does not flatter Taebaek, from what I can see. Any experiences?
Any people....?!

blackjack · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: anyang

can't help but

http://maps.google.co.kr/maps?client=opera&rls=en&q=Taebaek&sourceid=opera&oe=utf-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=Taebaek-si,+Gangwon-do&gl=kr&ei=_CfFStlejsTrA6HoyacN&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CAgQ8gEwAA

all i can say is wow. Hope you don't like people and your korean is going to get amazing

kimchi_pizza · Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 4:48 pm Post subject:

It's an old mining town tucked DEEP within the hills and mountains. So it is as secluded as any city can be. So that also means very few to no fellow expats and any western influences/accomodations. A weekend escape to Wonju, Gangnung or further is almost mandatory. BUT they do
have some nice festivals specially in the winter and they are proud of their ice sculptures.

Arthur Dent · Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Location: Kochu whirld

It is isolated but that can be a good thing. Seoul is open on the weekends, and buses from the coastal towns run frequently. Gangwando is a beautiful province. I would recommend getting your own transport as soon as possible. Remember to get an Intl. drivers license before you leave until you can get a Korean one. A small car or even a scooter or small bike will be great for exploring this area. There are many small roads and deep valleys (Korean size) which are great for camping, hiking and fishing. If you like photography, there is a lot of old Korean culture to take advantage of.

I found people very friendly there, the pace of life is much slower.

Otherwise, there won't be much to do there, culturally speaking. You will have to come to Seoul for nightlife and modern cultural events. You may find you will be making trips in to Seoul for special items - especially food. Probably few foreigners except some in the coastal towns of Donghae, Gangneung and Sokcho. They will be easy to spot, and you will quickly learn where everyone hangs out.

You will definitely be picking up Korean pretty quickly. Maybe you can do a language exchange with one of your Korean co-workers.

The air will be clean though, and very quiet there too.

Boodleheimer · Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 9:56 pm Post subject:

i used to live there.

no bugs! (very few mosquitoes) and we didn't need any A/C.

4 1/2 hours to seoul by train, so i can't imagine you spending a lot of time there.

there's not much to do, but if you like hiking, it's excellent.

will you live in Jangsung or Taebaek proper? i think it's a 15-20 min bus ride... my bf taught at Jangsung Girls HS

there's a really nice vet there with good english if you have pets. the Buona Pizza in town is run by a really nice family (and this particular one is better than any other Buona i've been to). i liked the pirate-themed bar.

hmmm... what else? when we were there, there were at least 5 other foreigners - some in public schools, 2 at a hagwon. one couple got a car (smart choice). oh, and there's an E-mart just outside of taebaek. (it opened while we were there. that was incredibly exciting!)

kaosjin · Joined: 06 Sep 2007

Not much around can be a good thing. I lived in an area where there wasn't much to spend money on for 2 years and I saved an incredible amount of money without thinking about it.

Jobs in places like this can be a good thing.

Just something to think about. Good luck.

Fox · Joined: 04 Mar 2009

As someone teaching in Taebaek myself, I can say it's more than fine. If Western-style things are to your taste, we have several western-style coffee houses, a few western bars, and a very nice Italian restaurant. There are a reasonable number of foreigners in town (over 20) if you want to socialize as well. It's a relatively quick and direct bus or train ride to a number of larger cities in the area as well if that is your pleasure.

I've personally been very happy here.

PeteMoses · Joined: 08 Sep 2009 Location: Scotland

Thanks all for your input, it's put at me at ease a bit!
I live in a tiny town in Scotland. I have lived in major cities, but I'm not petrified by relative isolation either, so by the sounds of things life shouldn't be too bad. Clean air and a slower pace are definitely a boost.
I'm flying out tomorrow (!), so I really appreciate the input here.
Fox, if you see a pretty clueless Westerner in a kilt trying to describe "haggis" to a baffled shopkeeper, feel free to laugh Wink

poeticjustice · Joined: 28 Feb 2009

Morgen · Joined: 02 Jul 2008

I live 40km away on the coast, and I'd be happy to live in Taebaek except for the lack of ocean. If you like to hike or ski you're in luck, and you have Emart in the city and HomePlus a reasonable bus trip away. It's well-positioned to take weekend trips in any direction, and if for some reason the couple dozen expats aren't to your taste you can just get on the train to Donghae or the bus to Samcheok, which both have a couple dozen more. You'll be fine if you don't listen to Dave's posters who don't know what they're talking about.

However, there was an awful drought a few months ago, so I'd keep a couple gallons of water on hand.

Fox · Joined: 04 Mar 2009