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Impressions of Seoul since you first came; recent change

 
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Adventurer



Joined: 28 Jan 2006

PostPosted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:12 am    Post subject: Impressions of Seoul since you first came; recent change Reply with quote

Recently, when I went to Seoul I've noticed many changes. Itaewon has a lot more Middle Eastern restaurants, espeically Turkish restaurants. I also saw so many Indian and Middle Eastern restaurants behind Itaewon near the mosque that didn't used to be there including a hole-in-the-wall Lebanese place that I have yet to check out. I also heard of a great Bulgarian place that's in high-demand that I have yet to check out. When I went to what used to be called Dongdaemun Stadium, I noticed there were so many more little Russian stores. Also, exit 7 used to look kind of dingy. When I went down exit 7 to make my way to Yongsan, I was so impressed with how they upgraded that part of the station. I really was, and the bathroom was awesome. I also noticed a machine you can use to charge your T-money card without exiting the turnstile. I'm not sure if more personnel who work for public transportation speak more Korean, but more people tried to speak to me in English. Korea is a much easier place for foreigners to live on.

I also noticed that foreign goods are cheaper at the foreign food store, and there are tons more items. They're also expanding in a week to take over the space that used to be part of a real estate company. I went to the new Whatthebook location to pick up two books I ordered. I didn't check it out completely, but I like the look of it.

Now, if only Gwangju would have more foreign stuff. Thankfully, Homeplus offers many foreign items to satisfy many of the tastes of expats.
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Died By Bear



Joined: 13 Jul 2010
Location: On the big lake they call Gitche Gumee

PostPosted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've never been to Gwangju, but they say it's quiet compared to the hustle and bustle of Seoul.

Also wonder if the foreign population in Korea will ever branch out to other cities, or will they think like Koreans in that 'Seoul is the center of the universe' mentality.

I love getting out of the city once in awhile and enjoying the quiet of the countryside, because most suburbs of Seoul are noisy unless you live really high up in a tower.


One thing I love about our house in the states, is the quiet on Sunday mornings. Even though we're located in a moderately dense city, I can hear the crickets and birds in the mornings.
Not to say I didn't hear the cicadas going at it all summer in Seoul though Wink
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Adventurer



Joined: 28 Jan 2006

PostPosted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Died By Bear wrote:
I've never been to Gwangju, but they say it's quiet compared to the hustle and bustle of Seoul.

Also wonder if the foreign population in Korea will ever branch out to other cities, or will they think like Koreans in that 'Seoul is the center of the universe' mentality.

I love getting out of the city once in awhile and enjoying the quiet of the countryside, because most suburbs of Seoul are noisy unless you live really high up in a tower.


Well, I know that the foreign population in Gwangju has grown tremendously from what I've been told. I see plenty of foreigners. In Cheonan, which is 35 minutes outside of Seoul, I wouldn't see many foreigners in the streets of the city. That has long since changed. I just would like to see more foreign food in the city. There are a few places, but I would sure love to have a kebab place here or amazing Mexican food. There's one Mexican joint, but it's not always consistent. It's getting better, but slowly.
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