Korean Job Discussion Forums

[a2gutkow]

Has anyone lived in Gwacheon? What's it like? How long does it take to get to Seoul via subway?? Is there a big expat community? Please give me as much advice as possible. I'm about to say yes to a job and I need as much info as I can get!

[nuorange]

I've not lived there but I have Korean friends who do and I visit them often. It's about 30 minutes by subway from Yongsan station (fairly central Seoul) and it's got a higher than average amount of plant life - it wants to be known for being green. It's close enough to Seoul that you could easily get in but far enough out that you can breathe a little better.

It's got a Costco, Outback, VIPS and any other western-type amenity that you could probably want, though you're basically in Seoul so you won't be hurting for anything western. The whole place seems fairly new, but it probably depends on where in Gwacheon you are.

Anyway, summary: nice city to visit, close to Seoul, lots of plants. You're also close to Seoul Land (amusement park, zoo) and a the horse racing park.

[blackjack]

[a2gutkow]

What about the expat community?

[northway]

[nathanrutledge]

The Costco is the one of the expressway, by Yangjae. Technically, it's either just inside the Seoul city limits or just inside the Gwacheon city limits. Either way, there is a bus that runs from Costco straight to Seonbawi, and then I believe it turns south and goes to the other line 4 stops.

Gwacheon is nice. I'd take it.

[northway]

[computermichael]

There aren't tons of foreigners in Gwacheon, but I've seen groups of them around. Some of them who work there live in Anyang because their schools don't want to pay for an apartment in Gwacheon. Anyway, it's probably less than ten bucks to take a cab back from Beomgye station in Anyang if you want to go out late and be around foreigners without going to Seoul. Gwacheon's the nicest satellite city I've been to in terms of not being a dump although it possibly lacks entertainment.