Korean Job Discussion Forums

[HollyLove]

So I'm going through the process right now of applying, and I don't really know where I should request. I've heard alot about Bungdang and Bucheon but other than that I can't seem to find a lot of information about other cities. I'm thinking of Ilsan as a good place, any other suggestions or more information on Ilsan?

[Fishead soup]

Youncheong

[ThingsComeAround]

The "wealthy" want to live in these areas: Bundang and Ilsan.

A few banks have their HQ in Bundang and Ilsan is a little media city (SBS & MBC studios)

Bucheon is gritty, but very close to hotspots in Seoul (Itaewon, Hongdae, Gangnam)

[steveinincheon]

Bundang, Bucheon, and Ilsan are all decent places for a foreigner to work. Bundang is the wealthiest of the three and reasonably close to Gangnam in Seoul. Personally, I'd recommend Bucheon - although I may be biased because I practically live there. Bucheon is close to Seoul and has a fairly affluent core with many foreign restaurants and places to hang out surrounded by grittier older Korean neighborhoods. Compared to neighboring Incheon where I live Bucheon is far more modern and upscale.
I don't know a whole lot about Ilsan, but if I were doing EPIK I would also consider Ansan, which has a large SE Asian population and many foreign restaurants. However, Ansan is more far removed from Seoul than the other three, so if you want to go into the city regularly you may prefer Bucheon or Bundang.

[nomad-ish]

Bundang is a richer area, close to Gangnam, so certain things may be expected of you. i was at a rich school last year that expected things like coaching the debating team (not technically classroom hours and no extra pay), running speaking tests during my prep periods, acting coach for the english play, among other things. although with rich schools you'll probably also get clean classrooms, better facilities, better-behaved students, etc. it's a trade-off.

personally i would look at ilsan first and then bucheon. both are areas with a decent sized foreign population which will make adjusting to life in korea a lot easier.

[Missihippi]

I'm in gwangmyeong, and i like it. It's close to the hotspots but has everything i need in town as well.

[Jagyr]

I'm in Bucheon and so far I quite enjoy it ... the I've been here less than a month so I haven't seen too much.

[discostar23]

My wife taught at a little school outside seoyeon st for three years. I loved living in Bundang but it can be expensive for food. You will meet a lot of foreigners living in Ori station. They also have a cool GS 25 which plays opera music and has chairs set up always full of people. I lived at Sunae stn. Get a placement in a city as you will have a better time. Bundang is also only 20-40 min by bus to itaewon, gangnam which are probably places you will want to go at some point or another.
Good luck.

[PeterDragon]

A broad general rule of thumb--- anything immediately bordering Seoul to the south, or with only one city between it and Seoul to the South is good-- the South burbs are much more populated than the North burbs--- in fact, by the time you get to Seouls' northern border, things actually get kind of rural. The South suburbs on the other hand offer much more access to express and rapid trains (much better than subway), and also afford their residents easier access to the KTX, cross country express trains and buses, and cross country freeways.

There are exceptions of course--- Ilsan is to the North, and it's a really good area, especially for a newbie--- it's even got a Costco, which is a godsend.

OP--- What exactly are you looking for in a school/neighborhood?

[nosmallplans]

Guri/Namyangju.

The people are friendly.
The train line goes right into Seoul.
The bus connections to Jamsil are great.
The pay is good (if you can bag one of those "shigol-" schools).