Korean Job Discussion Forums

sean2406 · Joined: 04 Jun 2011

Hey,

Pretty new to this forum, mostly been a lurker but now going to Korea is becoming more and more real.

Anyway, I've been offered the chance to work at the 2 locations in the subject of this post. From what I can tell, Gwangmyeong is a little closer to the more central areas of Seoul, and Nowon is slightly further. On the other hand, the apartment in Nowon would be a loft style, so I guess has more living space.

I'm an outgoing person, like to embrace the culture that I am living in, as well as go out and party. I'm quite a city type of person, and generally want to have a decent social life in the evenings and at weekends.

Would people recommend Nowon or Gwangmyeong as a first year location in Korea? Or better to hold out for something more central if possible?

Cheers!

SeoulNate · Joined: 04 Jun 2010 Location: Hyehwa

Depends on where in each location.

In Nowon, if they are putting you in Eun Haeng Sa Go Ri, then go for it. It's the education capital of Northern Seoul and, outside of itaewon and university campuses, it has more foreign residents than anywhere else in the city.

Also, positives for Nowon, you are closer to the mountains. Itaewon and Gangnam are about 40 minutes away by train, Hongdae is around 45-50.

This is where I have lived for the past two years and I have been very happy with the area

Gwangmyeong is okay. I lived there for the first year I was in Korea and it's real only benefit is it's proximity to Hongdae, 10 minutes or less in a cab. The area itself doesnt really have a lot of foreign residents or anything very interesting to do at night. It is a fine area to live in, it is just a bit boring.

Personally, I would pick Nowon in a heartbeat, but I suppose I am a little bias. I tried living in Itaewon for a year, hated it, got myself a nice loft in Nowon and havent looked back since.

nick70100 · Joined: 09 Sep 2005

Gwangmyeong was my first location in Korea, and I'm still there after nearly 7 years. It was good enough to keep me sticking around.

Seriously though, if you're a city person who likes to party you may be a bit disappointed with both locations. Nowon and Gwangmyeong are both fairly quiet residential areas. There are lots of apartment buildings, lots of families with young children, not too much partying going on.

That said, neither are that far away from the nightlife. Hard to say which is better without knowing the exact location. Gwangmyeong is a fairly big place. Cheolsan-dong in the north of the city is practically a part of Seoul. It's on the Seoul subway line and doesn't take any longer than 30 minutes to get to the Sinchon/Hongdae areas. On the other hand Soha-dong or Noonsa-dong in the southern end of the city are pretty far out there... and will take at least an hour to get to most places of interest in Seoul. I'm less familiar with Nowon, but it's also a big area.

I don't think either location would be a bad place to be, but I'm also not the type of person who needs to be in the center of everything. Take some of the other things into consideration... which job sounds better? You're going to spend more time here working than you will partying.

peter07 · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Gwangmyeong

I live in Gwangmyeong and I would pick Gwangmyeong, though be careful about the job offer because I've seen this one hakwon that keeps advertising for a new teacher every other week or so, meaning it probably is not a good place to work.

Gwangmyeong might as well be Seoul since it's right near the border. I've lived here since 2009 and the biggest complaint is the location (getting to Itaewon and other places can be a big long ride). Overall, though, it's not a bad place to live with cheaper housing and stuff. If you work in Yeouido like I do, it's pretty close via bus and getting to Gangnam is easy via the No. 7 subway line.

I've never lived in Nowon-gu, but well, as the joke goes, Nowon goes there, hahahaha.

1927 · Joined: 02 Oct 2011

SeoulNate · Joined: 04 Jun 2010 Location: Hyehwa

sean2406 · Joined: 04 Jun 2011

Thanks very much for the replies!

I should have been more specific. The school in Nowon is in Junggye 1 Dong, and in Gwangmyeong it is Cheolsan so I guess both are pretty good locations.

I think the extra apartment space in Nowon is leaning me towards that, I can deal with an extra 10-15 mins on Subway!

I should also add that both schools are a part of the same company, one of the largest in Korea that I've read good and bad things about, but the general consensus being that it is good and reliable for a first timer.

Thanks! Any further info would be much appreciated!

definitely maybe · Joined: 16 Feb 2008

nathanrutledge · Joined: 01 May 2008 Location: Marakesh

I live in Bucheon, just to the north of Gwangmyeong. If you're on Cheolsu station, that wouldn't be bad. Line 7 is nice, but it takes a LONG time. It has many more stops than a lot of the other lines, and it's a bit circuitous (IMO - all the new lines, 5-8, have more frequent and closer together stops).

Having lived other places, I find the buses in this part of town to be so-so. Yeah, getting to Yeouido is pretty easy, if not long, and taking taxis is simple enough, I find that it was still better when I lived out in the provinces, at least for bus service.

Personally, I'd go Nowon, but I'm an east side of town kind of guy. If you've never been here, then it's really a toss-up. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Partying, drinking, clubbing, etc, getting to Hongdae is easier from Gwangmyeong, but Nowon is near Hyehwa, a underrated night spot that is quite comparable with Hongdae (going to get flamed on that comment, but it's true - you just have to know where to look).

Nowon has good proximity to the mountains and rural areas on the north side of town, while Gwangmyeong makes it easier to get out of Seoul to anywhere else in the country (it's got it's own KTX stop).

As a new guy, either place would be a great place to start out.

peter07 · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Gwangmyeong

I admit that the No. 7 line has too many stops. Express service three times an hour like that of the No. 9 line would be awesome.

SeoulNate · Joined: 04 Jun 2010 Location: Hyehwa

SeoulNate · Joined: 04 Jun 2010 Location: Hyehwa

sean2406 · Joined: 04 Jun 2011

SeoulNate · Joined: 04 Jun 2010 Location: Hyehwa

Julius · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

I enjoyed living in Gwangmyeong because you're next to the river and the towpath. Great for jogging or cycling. Or even fishing.
Appartments are cheaper because you're officially outside Seoul (although you have only to walk 100 yards).
Its close to the city centre really because you're on the subway line.

Nowon-I used to visit a friend there sometimes. A nice area, lots of foreigners, and near to the mountains for hiking.