Korean Job Discussion Forums

[pigeon100]

which would be best to live, and meet people, and which is close to seoul? i get the impression they are similar distances just suwon is in the south and guri in the east?

[Captain Corea]

I live close to Guri now and am always surprised how nice certain areas are when I drive through it. It's got a Costco, and a ToyRUs... both things I dig. And some pretty decent parks. That being said, there's also a lot of left over industrial parts that are under construction... not the prettiest.

Suwon... last time I was there was 8 years ago. I hear they've really cleaned up some parts of it though.

[interestedinhanguk]

Since when is there a Costco in Guri? It's not on the website.

[definitely maybe]

The Sangbong Costco is less than ten minutes from Guri.

[woods]

I've lived in Guri for over 2 years and like it here.
Some good bars and places to eat around Doldari and it has a subway line which takes you to the center of Seoul in around 35mins.
It has a good balance...its got everything you need but not too chaotic!
There is big supermarkets like Lotte Mart...Costo is 2 stops away on the subway. Its got a cinema, coffee shops and many decent places to shop for clothes etc. Also it has nice parks to chill and relax in spring and summer. I like it.

[Vox_Populi]

Overall, they're pretty similar. The main difference, as I see it, is the subway lines. Suwon is on the #1 line. The #1 line is the workhorse line and the oldest of Seoul's subway lines. Because it serves SOOOOO many people, it's usually overcrowded. The Jungang line (which serves Guri) can also be crowded, but it doesn't serve nearly as many people as the #1 line so it's not nearly as bad. Also, the fact that there's a costco just over the hill in Sangbong says a lot. I think that if you can get an apartment that's within walking distance of the subway station, Guri's the better choice.

[PigeonFart]

I would go with Guri too, given its closer proximity to Seoul.

Guri is about 15km to the center of Seoul.
Suwon is about 30km away.

On a return journey, that's a 30km difference. Think of how much quicker you'd be home in a taxi from a night out in Seoul (not to mention the cheaper cab ride).

[nathanrutledge]

Distance isn't everything.

Depending on where you are in Suwon, you could be to Seoul faster than if you lived in Guri. Here's why -

Buses - there are plenty of intercity buses from Suwon to Gangnam, Hannam, and Gwanghwamun.

Trains - The subway Line 1 is the oldest because it's also a train line. If you live near the station, there are Nooriro, Mughungwha, Samaeul, and now, KTX trains that leave for Seoul/Yongsan/Yeongdeungpo stations on a regular basis.

Guri is definitely closer, but the Jungang line has very infrequent service, something like 2 or 3 trains an hour if I'm not mistaken. Even then, to get from Guri to Yongsan, it's going to take you 35 minutes (according to my phones subway map program). It takes the train 29 minutes from Suwon Station to Yongsan.

SO, IMO, it's a tossup. If you want to go to Itaewon or Hongdae on a regular basis, then time-wise, you're better off with Suwon, near the station. If you're looking to go to Gangnam/Dongdaemun/Central part of Seoul, it's a wash, and if you're a Cheongyeongri kind of person (yuck!) then Guri it is.

Really, anyone who says there are big differences is deluded. Korean cities are as interchangeable as Legos. You're going to find a couple of places where the local foreigners hang out. You're going to find a local food joint where the owner likes you, etc...

Long story short - distance is NOT synonymous with time. AFAIK, there are a lot more frequent transportation options from Suwon.