Korean Job Discussion Forums

[LTeach]

There is a job opening with a hagwon in Suncheon. Can anyone please tell me what life is like there? How big is the expat population? Is it foreigner friendly? Are there greater risks of earthquakes/tsunamis over there? I'd appreciate honesty.

[rainman3277]

[LTeach]

Do you mean this seriously?

[Keeper]

He is joking. Why are you worried about something like that?

[LTeach]

Haha. I figured. I just don't want to live through what happened to Japan in 2011. I'm also an East Coast baby in the US (so we don't get a lot of earthquakes). I would, however, appreciate any information on life in Suncheon.

[Jeollanamdowaegukin]

I lived in Suncheon for five years working at the university.
It is a very nice small city (around 200,000 people).
I have only good memories of my time there.

Positives:
Good Korean food - some of the best in the country.
Beautiful scenery - with Suncheon Bay, Jogye Mountain, temples, etc.
It is near other interesting places in Jeonnam Province and Kyeongsang Province like Hadong and Yeosu.
Gwangju (over 1 million) is one hour away.
Not too big and not too small.
Changing rapidly like other places in Korea with better foreign food restaurants, organic bakeries, etc.
Many nice younger generation Koreans who can speak English and are open-minded (there is the university and a few small colleges).

Not sure how many English speakers live in Suncheon. I would guess a few hundred plus others in Gwangyang and Yeosu nearby.

Weather - if you do not count the summer is very good
No earthquakes - just the occasional typhoon.

If your are a big fan of staying in Seoul it is 4 hours away by bus or train.

Wish you luck in making your decision