Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mindlessroller21]

I finally have my documents and my job search has now begun. It has been a little disheartening however because I was 100% set on living in Seoul and I haven't been having any luck finding positions downtown.

I have however been getting several offers for positions in Gyeonggi do which would ostensibly be somewhere between a half hour and an hour commute if I lived in Seoul.

Is it common for people to do this? Would most schools be open about finding me housing that far from the school? Is this just a really terrible idea?

[eamo]

If it's your first year in Korea it might be best to just take the housing the school offers you and just go in to Seoul when you want to do something specific.

If you should happen to really hate where the school puts you then they will probably not mind if you move to Seoul and take the housing allowance instead.......but be prepared to pay a large amount upfront for 'key money',..... and also assume that the housing allowance will not cover the monthly rent.

[ryanvandy]

Depends on where in Gyeonggi you would be. Gyeonggi encompasses a large area and could be the difference between 30 minutes and 90 minutes on the subway.

The school would probably be hesitant to offer you housing in Seoul as it is generally more expensive. They would probably offer you a monthly stipend if anything and you'd end up paying the difference out of pocket.

My advice to you is to be patient until a job in Seoul opens up. Seoul really is the difference between living a homogenous redundant everyday life (Gyeonggi) and having opportunities (Seoul). I know you are probably anxious to get to Korea but an extra month so you enjoy a full year the way you want to is worth it.

Good luck.

[northway]

I've known some people who lived in central Seoul on Line 4 and commuted to Pyeongchon/Beomgye in Anyang, as well as some Yangjae area people who commuted to Bundang/Yongin. That said, it's more something to look into in your second year than in your first. Most schools aren't going to be crazy about that idea for a fresh off the boat teacher.

[mindlessroller21]

any ideas for broadning my search for Seoul specific positions? My search has been limited to the job boards thus far....

[Baron]

I currently live around the Jamsil area and commute to work in Suwon.

I need to take two buses and from my door to work; it's just over an hour and a half commute to work.

My hours are only 2.30 - 8.00 though with quite a good salary though so I thought it was worth the sacrifice. It wouldn't be realistic for a kindie/morning job in my opinion. I'm certainly not a morning person.

Im lucky my journey is predominantly via one of the inter city comfortable red buses. I can't imagine doing the journey via subway.

I'll also echo what the previous poster said. I have experience and I was already in Korea when I got my job.

I don't think potential employers in Gyeonggi-do will be too enamored of your plan to live in Seoul and work at their school outside Seoul. They will just assume your here for the lifestyle Seoul offers and not to teach. I lived my first year in Yongin and spent my weekends in Seoul. My life isn't too much different living in Seoul now to be honest than what it was living in Yongin.

Im usually too tired when I get home from work to do much else except read/watch TV etc.

[Setaro]

You're really, really limiting yourself by being so dead set on living in Seoul. Literally places half way across the country are less than 2 hours away from central Seoul, via the KTX. Hell you could live in Daegu and be in Seoul within 2 hours.

If you didn't mind being in another region, you could get a public school job within 1 month, tops. My friend applied for a PS job in Gyeongnam and got a position within 3 weeks. Why? Because 90% of people want a job in Seoul for some bizarre reason, not realising even Busan is only 3 hours away from Seoul on the KTX.

[eamo]

[northway]

Also, the fact that you mention "downtown" in your post suggests that you really don't understand the kind of city Seoul is. There is no downtown. There are several central, happening areas, but there isn't a central area that ties the city together. Some cities outside of Seoul provide faster and easier access to these centers than living in some areas of Seoul itself would. If you tell a recruiter that you want downtown Seoul it's a meaningless statement.

[eamo]

[northway]

[sallymonster]

[Lazio]

I agree with the last few posters. One can be pretty far from everything while living within Seoul. The areas which fall into this category are indeed Nowon, and both ends of #5 line. Used to live at Hwagok and it was so far from everything. Almost always had to transfer which made the trips even longer. And there are several stations further out on that line, still in Seoul. Same is true for the other ends of the line after Cheonho Stn.
On the other hand, living on the edge of Seoul doesn't always mean far from everything. I live in Sadang and if I walk 15-20 minutes south I'm already in Gyeongi but it is an awesome spot to reach most of the city in a relatively short time. Speaking of which, our place is available from december Can be found in "Buy/Sell"

[Son Deureo!]

It's probably more trouble than it's worth for you in your first year, but it might be doable depending on where you're working. I work in Gyeonggi, and a lot of my coworkers commute in from Seoul, and it takes them about an hour each way. Where's your job?

[mindlessroller21]

This has been incredibly useful! I really didn't see myself changing my mind on the whole issue but I think you guys have done it!

I'm going to start opening up to the towns mentioned in Gyeonggi