Korean Job Discussion Forums

[thevagrant]

For those currently living in Sokcho (or those who have lived there in the past): What do you like about Sokcho? What don't you like about it? Enlighten me. Give me an idea of the vibe there. What would you recommend checking out specifically? Seoraksan National Park looks amazing. I enjoy the outdoors, so Sokcho seems up my alley. I'm trying to get a feel for different areas, so if you have other suggestions aside from Sokcho, feel free to speak up. But please support your suggestion and explain why you like that area.

As of right now, I'm thinking I'd like to keep my distance from Seoul at first (I live in a metropolis in the US and would like a change). I'll have a few friends in Seoul, and from what I've gathered, Seoul is only a few hours away by bus from Sokcho, which is fine by me. Visiting for a weekend doesn't seem like it would be much of a hassle. For those of you that have taken this bus ride, is it scenic or rather dull? Any relevant information you bestow upon me is greatly appreciated.

[oldtactics]

You, sir/madam, are in for a treat!

There are people on this board who can give you a better answer, since I've never lived there, but I'm friends with a big chunk of the expats there and I have nothing but positive things to say about the place. It's never boring, even on weekdays, and it's never too crowded, even on weekends.

It seems so cheesy, but any place where you can climb a mountain in the morning and then spend the night on the beach leaves a bit of an imprint on your soul.

[clyde]

Sokcho is nice, but just remember small town Korea and small town U.S.A. are 2 very different places. You WILL be stared at, the locals will NOT speak any English, and you WILL be eating Korean food exclusively. As long as you are prepared for that, then good luck. Yes the drive out from Seoul is rather pleasant. Gangneung which is about half an hour down the coast is also a nice spot. It is a windsurfer's mecca so they say.

[thevagrant]

oldtactics--Sounds good to me.

clyde--I assume that just about anywhere I go in Korea, I'll be stared at within a social environment that doesn't cater to my native tongue, surrounded by Korean food. Is it that common to find people who speak English in bigger cities?

[thevagrant]

How is the grocery store / restaurant / bar situation? A decent amount to choose from or slim pickin's?

[schwa]

Grocery stores. Theres an EMart. Its got less on offer than others I've been to in bigger cities, but its okay for some things. Every neighborhood has a largish nonchain supermarket for everyday stuff. 24hr convenience stores everywhere.

Restaurants. No big international chains (unless you count Pizza Hut or Dunkin Donuts). A couple big hotels do fusion buffets, pricy & the food is hit or miss. Also Japanese & ersatz Italian can be found but thats about it for foreign. Loads of Korean restaurants to choose from because its a Korean tourist town. Some are excellent. Several nice coffeeshops have sprung up this last year.

Bars. Current foreigner hang is called Eunbiryeong (aka Min's Bar) downtown. Its a good place for a newcomer to meet some of the local expats & it can get lively on weekend nights. Otherwise there are plenty of various kinds of Korean-style bars where good times can be had.

There ya go.

[soviet_man]

What does Sokcho mean to me?

A few things:

1. The Lighthouse.
After a heart attack inducing climb up 100s of thin metal steps, there is a lighthouse with observatory overlooking an angry sea. Very worthwhile.

2. The Fish Markets
You will be able to see live sharks, sea urchins and weird wacky fish in tanks all bubbling away along the streets.

3. The lingering Russian influence.
Each week the ferry pulls into Sokcho, from Vladivostok Russia. Car dealers, prostitutes, Chinese traders, itinerant backpakers, and a few transient Russian locals all stagger off. Note the cryllic signs all around Sokcho. Not as much as there use to be, but still the Russian influence proudly lingers.

4. Drief Squid. Everywhere.
If you have a thang for dried squid you have come to the right town.

5. The "foreigner only" toilet cubicle at the Sokcho bus station.
Been there. Done that!

6. The chicken shop next to the bus station.
Perhaps the only food in Sokcho, not to contain fish.

7. They have rebuilt the highway from Seoul to Sokcho.
A few years ago there was a winding road up that took hours. New tunnels and engineering roadworks in the past few years, has slashed the travel time. But the nice mountain roadside scenery is also lost.

All in all, yes it is good.

[schwa]

[thevagrant]

Are you kidding me...a "foreigner only" toilet? What's the deal with that?

Thanks for the list, soviet man. The lighthouse in particular sounds like something I'd be interested in checking out. As for squid, I've never had the dried variety, although I suspect I'd enjoy it in all of its manifestations. I'm always down to try new food. I ordered octopus in a Greek restaurant a few weeks ago for the first time (and probably the last time). It was decent at first, but toughened up a lot as it cooled. It texturally shape-shifted.

Thanks for the rundown, schwa. How long have you been in Sokcho?

[Quack Addict]

I quite enjoyed the little motor bikes for rent downtown by the tower. My wife and I raced around the park. It was fun. i would like to work there as well but I think its just a little too isolated.

[SunnyPeez]

This is all great feedback, I am currently torn between going to teach in Seoul or Sokcho. It seems like a great alternative to the city and I am a nature lover. From what I've read Sokcho really has a bounty of offerings in that area.

Quack, could you possible expand when you say "too isolated?" A little solitude would be great, but I don't want to become shunned from society.

Also, does anyone have some insight on what the daily life of a teacher in Sokcho is like? How different are the schools from ones in bigger cities, and also, how big is Sokcho actually? I haven't been able to get a real grasp on it.

[schwa]

Sokcho has about 90000 people. 20 years ago it was a little fishing town but it has since grown up with people from other parts of Korea, so its kind of cosmopolitan in its own small way. Its probably the best-known city of its size in all Korea, on account of its beaches & Seorak national park in our backyard.

There are 4 middle schools of about 900 kids each, 3 high schools, & a range of elementary schools. The brightest students tend to move away to study in larger cities (as happens anywhere in Korea) but a good few smart ones remain. Kids are generally well-accustomed to foreigners here now. A lot of professional families sustain a good number of hagwons.

A teacher's daily life is whatever you want to make of it. Locals are friendly to the resident foreigners (maybe 70 or 80 of us). There's a pervading niceness. No lack of nearby nature to explore too.

[teretere]

The only "beauty" in S. Korea lies in the mountains, which has not yet been butchered by developers.

The beaches have entirely been ruined by concrete ugliness.

The cities themselves, of course, are beyond repair, except for the pockets of traditional neighborhoods still awaiting the inevitable bulldozer.

[schwa]

[thevagrant]

I'd like to use a mountain bike as my mode of transportation around town. Are there good biking trails around?