Korean Job Discussion Forums

PinkEmJ · Joined: 02 Mar 2010

Hello Everyone!

I am just wondering if anyone has lived in a small city in Korea, and can tell me what it's like? Or more specifically, if anyone's lived in (or lives in) Gwangju-si ... not the big one, the one in Gyeonggi-do, I'd love to hear more about it!

I'm considering a job there but am a little worried about living in a spread out city of only 200 000. Any thoughts??

Thanks Very Much!! Very Happy

Clinton · Joined: 21 Jun 2009

I'd also like some insight on smaller cities...

The biggest worry I have is the age demographics. I don't want to end up some place where it's just older people (40+). Any insights on this?

Olivencia · Joined: 08 Mar 2009

I live in a rinky dink city and yes it is a different out here. The only girls here are either high school or younger or mommy's so whenever I go to Daegu it is quite an eye-opening experience. Whenever I see a chick here in her 20's or early 30's I am actually shocked.

PinkEmJ · Joined: 02 Mar 2010

How big is rinky dink? I actually found my city's website (Clinton this might help?) Gwangju is over 200 000, but it's really spread out like a Western city. Any thoughts on whether it would be better to fork out for a subway pass or a cab??

Are most foreigners living in smaller cities older?

here's the city link for Gwangju-si

http://english.gicity.go.kr/eng_about/history.asp

Olivencia · Joined: 08 Mar 2009

Population: 35,000
Mid 20's?? Are you a chick or does your place have chicks?
I'm 41....but well ya know.

young_clinton · Joined: 09 Sep 2009

The small cities (actually towns) in Chungnam are great. The kids are friendlier, the people friendlier and in a lot of cases you live very close to the school (Otherwise the buses are very simple and easy to take or you can ride a bike). In Chungnam you can make quick trips to Seoul on weekends (2 1/2 hour traveling time or less). The kids are so friendly I am going to seriously miss them when i leave. I wouldn't work in a large city.

PinkEmJ · Joined: 02 Mar 2010

Young Clinton - what are the foreigners like??

My true concern is being stuck with a bunch of foreigners that don't want to do anything besides drink. (drinking's ok, but whitewater rafting and shopping in Seoul are awesome!) I just don't want to be bored out of my skull either! lol -- I apologize this sounds so whiney

And yes... I'm a GIRL -- and Mid 20's for sure.

DeMayonnaise · Joined: 02 Nov 2008

I live just east of Gwangju in a tiny little village in yeoju county.

I think in terms of meeting foreigners it's actually easy. In Yeoju the foreigners are all really good friends and have a group of about 25 of them. When a new person comes to town they're immediately part of the foreign community. In a big place (Seoul) it can be hard to find your niche sometimes. Also a place like Gwangju (gyeonggi gwangju) will be more "Korean" I think and not so westernized.

The city is close enough to get to Seoul every weekend. I think it'll take less than an hour to get to Jamsil. On the plus side, it's really easy to save money.

And you guys don't know "rinky-dink". I saw some stats at the town hall here that said the entire -myeon has 2000 people. My middle school has about 60 students and there are two foreigners in this town (I don't hang out with the other one at all). So it could always be worse. On the plus side, I save hella money.

PinkEmJ · Joined: 02 Mar 2010

DeMayo! That's awesome! I'm a bit worried about saving hella money. On one hand, huzzah money. On the other... hello.... boredom?! I would be really really unhappy if I didn't have the chance to be social.

Well, when I get there in April, my door will always be open! Feel free to come over for a beer sometime!

Ukon · Joined: 29 Jan 2008