Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ecuebl]

Hi

I'm moving to teach here at the end of this month. Looking to get some information and contacts from people who live/lived/visited.

Any recommendations for places to eat (all types)?

Best places to go out at night?

Is there anywhere to see live music?

I would like to carry on playing football, boxing and playing poker. Does anyone play or know anywhere to play?

I would like to try yoga and taekwondo. Can anyone recommend any places?

Thanks for your time and any help you can give. Please feel free to PM me.

[TexasChicken]

Hey ecuebl, I'm also moving there around September. Ive heard Pearl Jam's a cool bar to hang out in. Kalbi Jim's website had a little info about cheongju. Anyways send me a PM maybe we can hangout sometime.

T.C.

[ecuebl]

Thanks TC. Sounds great, I haven't posted enough to PM so please could you PM me. Do you have a link to this website?

[ibtip]

Hey,

I'm actually currently in Cheongju but I've only been here for about a week (been in Korea for about a year thus far). I'm still very much exploring the city... though I know the main downtown area fairly well. Let me know when you arrive.

[ecuebl]

Will do, thanks. Drop me a PM, I can't yet...still striving for that privilege. Hope you settle in well.

[nstick13]

You'll hang out in Cheongdae and you'll quickly meet a lot of foreigners. Don't be shy. I have several friends there who do many of the things you mentioned. It's a great little city.

[marsavalanche]

Cohibas rule. Learn it. Love it.

EVERYONE should read and memorize this. Seoul is EVERYTHING in Korea.

Remember "Cohiba's Rule" (Now better than ever!):

Think twice before you live outside of Seoul. "In Seoul" and
"outside of Seoul" are like two different countries. Seoul
is an interesting place with variety and venues for most
tastes. Outside of Seoul you will find a homogeneous Korean
culture. I don't mean this in a bad way, but you will never
find things like: French, Greek, Indian or any other ethnic
foods. Markets that sell sherry, pate, pastrami, ricotta cheese.
Specialty shops that sell Cuban cigars, European pies, cold
cuts or rye breads. Just to name a few things. Also clubs such
as photography, drama, public speaking, sailing are 99% in
the capital city. If you want to experiment with a very Korean
culture, which unfortunately means "closed", then choose the
countryside. If you want to make money and have the lifestyle
choices similar to a western country, then there is no other
choice than Seoul.

The FFF RULE: FFF=Fun For Foreigners.

If FFF in Seoul = 100, then FFF decreases at
1/distance. So 2km from Seoul FFF=1/2(100)=50;
10km from Seoul FFF=1/10(100)=10. This rule is
a rule for nightlife, food and foreign products only.
Nature etc. is on a different scale altogether.

This means you will be wasting a lot of time commuting
to Seoul. This is especially a drag if you have been
boozing on a Friday night and there are no buses or
trains.

[sodabread]

i've been down here in cheongju for 3 years. tons of expats, some bands (i play sax in a jazz band), a couple of good bars in joongmoon (booze/ cheap eats strip attached to the national uni). there's an ice rink, an expat hockey league, an expat baseball team... cheongju's just fine. I hated seoul and i am much happier here.

[Dog Soldier]

I too live in CheongJu, been here over 2 years.

All the western bars are located pretty much opposite each other, or at least near each other.

There's a soccer team, rugby team, ice hockey team and a few boys play poker fairly often.

decent sized city, in the center of Korea with good transport links.

Fairly decent live music scene.

Anything you want to know, just ask.

[ecuebl]

Thanks for the info guys, sounds great. Drop me a PM with your email if you're there now and if you don't mind chaperoning me for at least a night I would be very grateful for your knowledge and company...you can ditch me at a hof if I cramp your style!

I've heard of this "Cohiba's Rule" and you're clearly a follower! I'm looking forward to exploring Seoul...keeping an open mind and having lived in central London for the last few years hoping a smaller city will be refreshing experience.

[Yaya]

Cheongju also has international flights from its airport going to select cities in China, including Hong Kong, Japan and Thailand. I think the tickets tend to be cheaper than those whose departures are from Incheon or Gimpo.

[ecuebl]

Thanks for the information Yaya, hoping to take trips to all of those places in my sparetime if you have any recommendations.