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NMonk
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Location: South Korea
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 Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 1:15 am Post subject: Better to live in Ilsan or Seocho, Seoul? |
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I'm trying to decide which job offer to accept for my second year. I have one for Ilsan and one for Seocho, Seoul.
I've never been to either of these areas so would appreciate any opinions from people who have.
I'm moving to the Seoul area for a couple of reasons. Firstly my girlfriend lives there, secondly I want a new experience, I currently live in a small, conservative city and thirdly I love seeing live music and theatre. But I also love being able to get out into the mountains and relaxing in a pleasant environment. I've read that Ilsan is a very pleasant place to live but I'm worried it's too far from Seoul, hence my indecision!!
Realistically how long does it take to get from down town Seoul to Ilsan by public transport and when is the last bus to Ilsan at night time? Secondly is it do able in a taxi, and if so how much would I expect to pay?
Any thoughts are appreciated! |
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AHawk843
Joined: 20 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 1:19 am Post subject: |
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| Seocho, by a mile, for me. It's a really nice area -- peaceful and spread out -- yet relatively close to central Seoul too. Ilsan is a nice place, new, and certainly not a bad place by any stretch, but all things considered... |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 1:23 am Post subject: |
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| I live in Anyang, Ilsan's southern cousin, and I would take pretty much anywhere in Seoul over here, everything else being equal. |
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nukeday
Joined: 13 May 2010
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| Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 2:05 am Post subject: |
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| Ilsan. Closer to the live music (in Hongdae) of Seoul than even Seocho is. Probably similar in price (Ilsan might be a bit cheaper). Fresher air. |
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sojusucks
Joined: 31 May 2008
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| Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 2:13 am Post subject: |
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| Ilsan is a very nice place to live. |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 2:54 am Post subject: |
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| nukeday wrote: |
| Ilsan. Closer to the live music (in Hongdae) of Seoul than even Seocho is. Probably similar in price (Ilsan might be a bit cheaper). Fresher air. |
If you stay out until the train every night then yes. If you're more someone who would want to take a cab back, as I am, it would be worth living in Seoul. |
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nukeday
Joined: 13 May 2010
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| Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 2:56 am Post subject: |
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| northway wrote: |
| nukeday wrote: |
| Ilsan. Closer to the live music (in Hongdae) of Seoul than even Seocho is. Probably similar in price (Ilsan might be a bit cheaper). Fresher air. |
If you stay out until the train every night then yes. If you're more someone who would want to take a cab back, as I am, it would be worth living in Seoul. |
You can catch a bus to Ilsan from Sinchon (near Hongdae) at around 2. so basically you could go home at 11, 2, or wait until 5. I'd say it's a fair amount of options.
I wouldn't choose to live in Anyang, though, given the OP's preferences. |
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NMonk
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 2:57 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| If you stay out until the train every night then yes. If you're more someone who would want to take a cab back, as I am, it would be worth living in Seoul |
approximately what time do the trains to Ilsan run until and how much would a taxi cost? |
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debinoxford
Joined: 10 Jan 2008
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| Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 2:59 am Post subject: |
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| from Ilsan to Seoul Station it's about 40 minutes average by express bus. They run often and during slow times of traffic it can be about 30 minutes. Last buses to Ilsan from Seoul Station around about 12:45. Taxi is definitely doable as one from Hongdae to the end of Ilsan where I live runs from 23,000 to 30,000 (depends on whether you use a Seoul taxi or call a Goyang taxi, getting a Goyang taxi runs cheaper as they know their way around Ilsan much better). There's also a couple buses that run from Ilsan to Sinchon station or Hapjeong Station, putting you close to Hongdae as well. Personally, I love Ilsan. I feel close enough to Seoul that I go whenever I want, but I'm also not as crowded as Seoul and it's easy to get out of the city and into the country around here. I can't say anything for Soecho, but only offer my thoughts on Ilsan. There's a good expat community here, fine arts center with plays and shows pretty often, but you're so close to Seoul that it's easy to get in for stuff there as well. |
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NMonk
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 3:00 am Post subject: |
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| debinoxford wrote: |
| from Ilsan to Seoul Station it's about 40 minutes average by express bus. They run often and during slow times of traffic it can be about 30 minutes. Last buses to Ilsan from Seoul Station around about 12:45. Taxi is definitely doable as one from Hongdae to the end of Ilsan where I live runs from 23,000 to 30,000 (depends on whether you use a Seoul taxi or call a Goyang taxi, getting a Goyang taxi runs cheaper as they know their way around Ilsan much better). There's also a couple buses that run from Ilsan to Sinchon station or Hapjeong Station, putting you close to Hongdae as well. Personally, I love Ilsan. I feel close enough to Seoul that I go whenever I want, but I'm also not as crowded as Seoul and it's easy to get out of the city and into the country around here. I can't say anything for Soecho, but only offer my thoughts on Ilsan. There's a good expat community here, fine arts center with plays and shows pretty often, but you're so close to Seoul that it's easy to get in for stuff there as well. |
you should be in sales 'cos you just sold Ilsan to me!!! |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 3:04 am Post subject: |
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| nukeday wrote: |
| northway wrote: |
| nukeday wrote: |
| Ilsan. Closer to the live music (in Hongdae) of Seoul than even Seocho is. Probably similar in price (Ilsan might be a bit cheaper). Fresher air. |
If you stay out until the train every night then yes. If you're more someone who would want to take a cab back, as I am, it would be worth living in Seoul. |
You can catch a bus to Ilsan from Sinchon (near Hongdae) at around 2. so basically you could go home at 11, 2, or wait until 5. I'd say it's a fair amount of options.
I wouldn't choose to live in Anyang, though, given the OP's preferences. |
Anyang costs the same in a cab and is 45 minutes from Sangsu on the train. I don't really see the difference, outside of the nature aspect (which Anyang isn't exactly lacking either). |
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Murakano
Joined: 10 Sep 2009
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| Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 3:11 am Post subject: |
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I like Ilsan too...buses to Hongdae (921) and various express buses as already mentioned that run until 2am to Sinchon (Yonsei Uni).......at those late times I`ve taken the express bus it`s taken as little as 20-25 mins to get to Ilsan where there`s little traffic around. Not bad at all.
I live in Gangnam now and it takes me just as long to get to the likes of Sinchon. Considering moving back..... |
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jrwhite82
Joined: 22 May 2010
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| Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 3:14 am Post subject: |
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| debinoxford wrote: |
| from Ilsan to Seoul Station it's about 40 minutes average by express bus. They run often and during slow times of traffic it can be about 30 minutes. Last buses to Ilsan from Seoul Station around about 12:45. Taxi is definitely doable as one from Hongdae to the end of Ilsan where I live runs from 23,000 to 30,000 (depends on whether you use a Seoul taxi or call a Goyang taxi, getting a Goyang taxi runs cheaper as they know their way around Ilsan much better). There's also a couple buses that run from Ilsan to Sinchon station or Hapjeong Station, putting you close to Hongdae as well. Personally, I love Ilsan. I feel close enough to Seoul that I go whenever I want, but I'm also not as crowded as Seoul and it's easy to get out of the city and into the country around here. I can't say anything for Soecho, but only offer my thoughts on Ilsan. There's a good expat community here, fine arts center with plays and shows pretty often, but you're so close to Seoul that it's easy to get in for stuff there as well. |
I live in Ilsan. This information is accurate. And once you make a couple of friends around here, you can split the cab making it even cheaper. La Festa has a decent night life if you plan on mixing in trips to Seoul. La Festa on its own gets a bit tiresome...but doesn't anything over and over again? |
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nukeday
Joined: 13 May 2010
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| Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 3:19 am Post subject: |
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| northway wrote: |
| nukeday wrote: |
| northway wrote: |
| nukeday wrote: |
| Ilsan. Closer to the live music (in Hongdae) of Seoul than even Seocho is. Probably similar in price (Ilsan might be a bit cheaper). Fresher air. |
If you stay out until the train every night then yes. If you're more someone who would want to take a cab back, as I am, it would be worth living in Seoul. |
You can catch a bus to Ilsan from Sinchon (near Hongdae) at around 2. so basically you could go home at 11, 2, or wait until 5. I'd say it's a fair amount of options.
I wouldn't choose to live in Anyang, though, given the OP's preferences. |
Anyang costs the same in a cab and is 45 minutes from Sangsu on the train. I don't really see the difference, outside of the nature aspect (which Anyang isn't exactly lacking either). |
Then I guess Seocho is right for you! Seocho to Sangsu will also take roughly 40-50 min on the train  At least that was my experience living near Nambu terminal
I lived in Daechi (Gangnam-gu, but still) before that and it felt like I was living in another city when going to downtown Seoul spots. Factoring in the transfer it took me nearly an hour to get to Sinchon, and taxis were 20,000 won+...and frankly Ilsan's a nicer place to live than Daechi in my opinion.
I'm now in Suyu and it still takes me a long time to get to those places, but at least Dongdaemun, Jongno, and Hyehwa are shorter distances. Gangnam, well, let's just say I don't go to Gangnam anymore.  |
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RMNC
Joined: 21 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 3:28 am Post subject: |
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| nukeday wrote: |
I lived in Daechi (Gangnam-gu, but still) before that and it felt like I was living in another city when going to downtown Seoul spots. Factoring in the transfer it took me nearly an hour to get to Sinchon, and taxis were 20,000 won+...and frankly Ilsan's a nicer place to live than Daechi in my opinion.
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Whaaaa?? The green line takes like 20 minutes to get from Gangnam to Sinchon. |
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