Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kraggy]

Hi folks,

My girlfriend and I have been offered jobs in Masan, specifically in the northern part of Masan, Sanho-dong and Seokjeon-dong.

However, we have to decide in the next couple of days so we're looking for some info.

We're really keen to get to Korea but we have been reading many negative things about Masan. So, we have a few questions..

1. What's Masan like? Is it liveable?

2. Is having Changwon nearby enough of a consolation for living in what is supposedly an ugly, industrial city (not my words!)?

3. How long does it really take by
a. bus,
b. car,
c. bicycle,
d. motorbike from Masan downtown to Changwon downtown?

4. How regular are the buses between the 2 cities?

5. Are there many foreigners in Masan?

6. How long does it take to get to Busan by bus from Masan?

7. What's it like for a vegetarian in Masan?

8. Are there any places for a simple stroll in the evenings around Masan?

9. What time is last bus back from Busan at nighttime to Masan?

10. Is it really the "armpit" of the province as I've read on this forum?

Please give us as much information as possible. We really want to move to Korea as soon as possible as the economy here in Ireland is in the dumps and we need work, reason to live etc. However, we don't want to move somewhere that will keep us miserable.

I guess queston number 2 is quite important to us. Is Changwon nice enough and near enough to make Masan tolerable (assuming Masan is indeed as horrible as we've been lead to believe).

We have searched the forum here thoroughly and while it provided some direction, there was a lot of conflicting data.

Any info would help us tremendously.

Thanks,

Kraggy.

[shifter2009]

[Canonite]

Judging by pictures alone, I don't think Masan looks all that bad. Sure, it's got some industrial bits, but so does Changwon (in fact, the entire south side is industrial). The great thing (again, only judging by pictures and maps) is that no matter where you're in the city, I doubt you're ever more than 2-3 km from the mountains to the west or the bay to the east.

I'm a veggie and moving to Masan next week, so if you're still undecided in a week, I can let you know what my initial impressions are

[Charriere]

To Canonite, I would welcome any initial thoughts that you could give on Masan/Changwon. It's on my list of places that i'm considering for September. Having only worked in and around Seoul in the past, i want to try somewhere new.

[chris_J2]

One advantage of living in Masan is that the Gyeongsangnamdo immigration office is located there, & you won't have to spend hours on a bus getting there, if you live elsewhere in the province. I've been to both Changwon & Masan several times, & both are very liveable, & not at all the worst places to be in Korea.

Here's Masan Harbour behind the Immigration Office:

http://www.treklens.com/gallery/Asia/South_Korea/South/Gyeongsangnamdo/Masan/photo452835.htm

[Louis VI]

[chris_J2]

Found another Masan thread that may help:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=161100&highlight=

[happiness]

http://koreabridge.net/discussion/guide-living-masan

yep, i wrote that. im not in Masan now, but I was there last week. They have burger king in shinsegae now. I like Masan myself. in busan every weekend needed. i liked it.

[yellowdove]

1. What's Masan like? Is it liveable?
Yes, it's livable. It's quiet, not nearly as bustling as Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, etc. But everything you need is here.

2. Is having Changwon nearby enough of a consolation for living in what is supposedly an ugly, industrial city (not my words!)?
It's not really as bad as everyone makes it out to be. I promise.

3. How long does it really take by
a. bus,
b. car,
c. bicycle,
d. motorbike from Masan downtown to Changwon downtown?
A bus should take you about 30 minutes from what I hear. I have yet to try this, however, because everything I need is in Masan.

4. How regular are the buses between the 2 cities?
There are buses all the time. And if you do end up moving here, I have a list of all the bus routes that go to Changwon from Masan, you can PM me for it.

5. Are there many foreigners in Masan?
There are plenty! Again, not as many as in Busan, Seoul, etc., but they're all friendly. We moved to Masan about a month ago, and everyone here has welcomed us with open arms.

6. How long does it take to get to Busan by bus from Masan?

30-40 minutes. And the buses are REALLY frequent, like every 15-20 minutes. Also, there are regular buses to Haeundae beach.

7. What's it like for a vegetarian in Masan?
Unless you're in Seoul, being a vegetarian is hard in Korea in general. You just have to know how to say 'no meat' and hope for the best when you're in restaurants, and cook your own meals at home.

8. Are there any places for a simple stroll in the evenings around Masan?

This I have not discovered, as we don't go out at night. But it's always a safe bet to walk around an area like Dakkori, near the university.

9. What time is last bus back from Busan at nighttime to Masan?

10:30pm, from Seobu bus terminal (Sasang subway station) They start again at 7:00am.

10. Is it really the "armpit" of the province as I've read on this forum?
It really isn't bad. There are LOTS of mountains, so it makes it pretty. The port isn't exactly gorgeous, but it's a working city. You're not going to find golden towers or shining fountains. 90% of Korea is apartment buildings and 5-8 story office buildings anyways.

I hope that helps. If you do get down to Masan, PM me and my husband and I can introduce you to people.

[cocosheff]

Hi,

I've just accepted a contract in Masan

Im from the UK and this will be my first EFL job - very much looking forward to it!

I begin in June

- can anyone give advice on what 'essentials' I should bring in preparation for a year in Masan?
-What's the cost of living like in Masan?

Canonite - how have you found it so far?

any help guys

[shifter2009]