Korean Job Discussion Forums

Beyond · Joined: 04 Apr 2010

Looking to go to Seoul this summer and work for a year teaching. I try to be healthy and I grew up in the country, so I really don't wanna live in the areas with "yellow dust" that comes from the poor air quality.

Anyone know the areas in Seoul with the best air quality/least pollution?

I don't want to go to the small cities because I want to experience Seoul.

Thank you.

Depths of My Soul · Joined: 04 Apr 2010 Location: In The Sun

I must admit, coming from a small and 'fresh' town, how I may be affected by pollution is also one of my concerns.

Still, you gotta die of something...........

CKAB · Joined: 03 Apr 2010

From what I've seen, it's unavoidable, since it moves in a huge cloud from Mongolia, through China, and down the peninsula. There's no telling where it will strike. Just wear one of those stupid looking surgical masks if you're concerned about it on those days.

OBwannabe · Joined: 16 Feb 2008

you clearly have no idea what you are asking. it's cute.

egrog1717 · Joined: 12 Mar 2008

Jeju...

(Seoul is a smoggy's wet dream some days... Not really a lot you can do to avoid it...)

(And for those of you who never got to appriciate the love of the Smoggy's epic battle of messing up the Suntots ecologically... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdCfCSfkLqQ)

reactionary · Joined: 22 Oct 2006 Location: korreia

if you check air quality levels, it does vary by gu. i live up in gangbuk gu, which has considerably higher levels of pollution than, say, gang-dong gu.

saram_ · Joined: 13 May 2008

Binch Lover · Joined: 25 Jul 2005

I lived in Nowon-Gu for a year and barely noticed any pollution. Maybe it's cos it was my first year but it seemed like the air was considerably better than other areas.

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

OBwannabe · Joined: 16 Feb 2008

djsmnc · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

Beyond · Joined: 04 Apr 2010

because Seoul is huge, I figured one of the outer gu's had less pollution, and was wondering if it was true...

I also thought some areas might be less polluted because of less vertical building or something... allowing for the air to leave better.

glad i could make some super veterans laugh. i'm not innately aware of smog behavior... grew up in a town of 1,000. a town down the road had 1 house.

egrog1717 · Joined: 12 Mar 2008

Don't worry OP... The government has promised to float 1 million balloons with pieces of Kimchi tied to them on the tops of buildings this Summer...
Because everyone knows that kimchi cures smog... Razz

reactionary · Joined: 22 Oct 2006 Location: korreia

Where was the link that showed the different levels of air pollution in Seoul? Yes, yellow dust is city wide and you can't get away from it. But other forms of pollution are not! It IS measurably higher in some parts of the city than others - his question is perfectly valid, if a little unclear in its phrasing.

Studies have been done in NYC - rates of asthma among kids in Harlem is higher because of all the diesel trucks that were running through there.

Or just keep letting the blind lead the blind with sarcastic and/or witty quips. I think there's an open-mic comedy night coming up at some club in Sinchon.

Harpeau · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Coquitlam, BC

egrog 1717 you made me choke on my Tim Horton's coffee! Funny!!

I think that the pollution levels aren't nearly as bad as before, due to many buses that have gone to natural gas. It's really made a difference. We live up in Itaewon 2 dong and like to be near Namsan (Hill) Park. Walking around the park among the trees is great! Being on the hill, you usually get a bit more of a breeze. I like that. Having had lived in Nowon-gu, I wouldn't recommend it, unless you're hugging the side of Bukhansan, or something.
In any event, I love being up on Namsan.