Korean Job Discussion Forums

[emsiemay79]

I wondered if anyone could offer me some insight into the best area's to live live in Seoul and Daegu. I have taught in Korea for three years and without any efforts the first year I wound up in a great area of Daejeon and stayed there for 2 years. However, last year I went to Busan and ended up in an area with no other foreign teachers and it was quite a distance from the center of Busan. Admittedly, I took the first job offered as I was traveling and running out of money fast. However this time I can afford some more time and be a little picky. There appears to be a great number of jobs in the greater Seoul area, and presume this is because nobody wants to live there.... I was offered a job on Bundang, Gyeonggi. Any thoughts on this place??? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[InDaGu]

Well, having lived a few places in Daegu, I can offer a few recommendations.

Good places:
Jung gu (Downtown), for obvious reasons

Buk gu - just north of downtown. This includes Chimsan-dong and Sangyeok-dong. Both are a short trip to downtown. Sangyeok-dong (my current home) is where Kyungpook University is, there's a lot of other foreigners, and it has it's own nightlife.

Suseong-gu (specifically Beomo-dong). Be careful with Suseong, because it is HUGE. My first place was in Suseong, in Siji, and it was on the far east border of the city. Beomo, however, is near downtown, there's lots of foreigners, and it's an upscale neighborhood. Manchon-dong isn't bad either.

Places to avoid (in my opinion):

Siji (Suseong-gu) - It's tempting, because it's loaded with foreigners, but there is absolutely nothing to do there. As I mentioned, it's also on the far east end of the city, so getting anywhere is a long haul.

Sangin (Dalseo-Gu) - much like Siji, there's a decent number of foreigners there, but nothing to do. It's far southwest of downtown, and another big commute to the hotspots.

These are some of the areas that have a high concentration of expats, there may be one or two I left off. Overall, my personal preference would be around Kyungpook U, followed by Beomo.

[emsiemay79]

Thanks for your reply on this.... I've found that location location location can be key in enjoying the best of Korea... one more thing... I haven't heard much back from recruiters with jobs in Daegu.... wondered if you had any contacts... since your there. Myself and my partner are looking for work Jan/Feb 2011. We would take couples or singles jobs provided we didn't live too far away. Any help would be great

[HagwonKanobi77]

Which city is better overall, Daegu or Daejeon? I like the idea of Daejeon as it seems more centrally located and has a KTX line and other rail lines. But that's all I know.

[emsiemay79]

I lived in Daejeon for 2 years and loved it. There is definitely enough to keep you busy for a year. I am sure that there are a lot less foreigner bars in Daejeon than Daegu, if that's what you want. That said though, my first year there was excellent, it's very easy to meet friends and for the most part everyone knows everyone. In my opinion it's a great place for a year, although I think I still have friends that live there and have been living there for more than 2 years, so I guess it depends on the person. I'd give Daejeon the thumbs up for sure.... have fun

[HagwonKanobi77]

Ah here's a better question, how would you compare Daejeon to Gwangju--where I am currently located? Or have you not been to Gwangju? I know they compare in population but that may be it. What say you?

[emsiemay79]

mmm although I have visited Gwangju, I couldn't really comment on which is best.... sorry. Though I'd be tempted to say Daejeon, simply because it's better situated within Korea, you can get to Daegu and Seoul in an hour by KTX... it's also not far from Pyeontek, an American army base...not bad if you want to pick up some western goodies. It also has a costco, but you may have one of those in Gwangju.....

[Harpeau]

In Seoul, Kyungleedan is a pleasant place to live. It's close to Namsan and is very quiet.

People tell me that Haebangchon is a bit of a glass bubble where almost everybody knows your business and it is a bit noisy, to boot.

Bundand has some nice parts. Close to the park is very cool, IMHO.

[injuredeagle]

About Daegu:

It also has the KTX and trains that the other city has. I'm in Daegu, but I know people in both of the other cities and love it, although gwanju seems a little smaller.

In Daegu, location is important. I have friends in nangong in the far south east and it takes them about 1.5 hours by bus and subway to get to downtown. Then, there are also a lot of jobs in Chigok, far northeast, which is about 25 min by bus to downtown. If you can choose, get near a subway...