Korean Job Discussion Forums

[TK421]

My girlfriend and I wanted, preferably, a major city but beggars can't be choosers in these times. I understand it's not far from Busan, our number one choice. We definitely don't want a small, rural town because we went to college in a boring, small rural town. What's Masan like? Any nightlife? Entertainment? Expats?

My girlfriend and I love: going to movies, drinking on Fridays, eat out at restaurants and traveling and anything to do with art and pop culture.

Anybody got experience with Masan?

[Chet Wautlands]

Masan is very close to Changwon, but it's about 40 minutes to Busan. You can easily spend your weekends in Busan, but you probably won't want to travel to Busan on weekdays. 40 minutes to Busan, another 20 until you get to anything decent... and then back.

I lived in Changwon and it was OK. Not a lot of art or nightlife, though.

Maybe hold out for Busan.

[conbon78]

My friend lived in Masan. Initially she hated it because there were very few foreigners and mostly couples that were the foreigners (which might be good for you); however, by the end she really liked it. She learned a great deal of Korean because she was further away and built some really good friends because of that. She is now living in Busan and has found its harder to make good friends because its a bigger area. Plus she is a big older (over 30) and in Busan she has really only meet people in their early 20s whereas an older crowd exists in Masan. Hope that helps!

[Trinidad]

I have lived in Korea for years. And I would NEVER live outside of
the Seoul area. I think this guy's rule sums it up nicely:

Remember "Cohiba's Rule" (Now better than ever!):

Think twice before you live outside of Seoul. "In Seoul" and
"outside of Seoul" are like two different countries. Seoul
is an interesting place with variety and venues for most
tastes. Outside of Seoul you will find a homogeneous Korean
culture. I don't mean this in a bad way, but you will never
find things like: French, Greek, Indian or any other ethnic
foods. Markets that sell sherry, pate, pastrami, ricotta cheese.
Specialty shops that sell Cuban cigars, European pies, cold
cuts or rye breads. Just to name a few things. Also clubs such
as photography, drama, public speaking, sailing are 99% in
the capital city. If you want to experiment with a very Korean
culture, which unfortunately means "closed", then choose the
countryside. If you want to make money and have the lifestyle
choices similar to a western country, then there is no other
choice than Seoul.

The FFF RULE: FFF=Fun For Foreigners.

If FFF in Seoul = 100, then FFF decreases at
1/distance. So 2km from Seoul FFF=1/2(100)=50;
10km from Seoul FFF=1/10(100)=10. This rule is
a rule for nightlife, food and foreign products only.
Nature etc. is on a different scale altogether.

This means you will be wasting a lot of time commuting
to Seoul. This is especially a drag if you have been
boozing on a Friday night and there are no buses or
trains.

I, unfortunately, live near Seoul where the FFF factor
is almost in the negative range. I know!

[son of coco]

[youtuber]

OP

So you are coming with your girlfriend eh? Well, in my two years in Korea I have noticed a common trend: most couples that come to Korea together don't leave Korea together. I don't know what the reason is. Maybe the guys get yellow fever, I don't know.

Just a heads up for you.

[Rusty Shackleford]