Korean Job Discussion Forums

mai · Joined: 12 Jun 2009

Hi everyone!

Note: I just want to apologize in advance - I'm new here and used the search feature, but would still like more information.

I just got accepted to teach in a public school in Uiwang at the foot of Mt. Morak. Can anyone offer me some information on this area? Things like number of foreigners, things to do, how late the trains run to Seoul, etc.

I didn't find much info on the area and I'm also considering doing a Hagwon deal in Seoul.

Thanks in advance!

blackjack · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: anyang

Moraksan (Mt morak) is right next to beomgye. There are a heap of foreigners here. If you are near lotte mart then you will be relatively near the subway (10 min by bus, 2000 won by taxi), a great seafood, fruit and vege mart. The subway closes at around midnight and a taxi ride home costs between 20-35,000 won home

The hiking is good, it's less crowded than seoul and the air is a little cleaner, but there is is less to do.

The whole area is quite new, less than 20 years ago it was farm land and grape fines but now (apart from the mountains) it is an apartment jungle.

Not really sure what else to say, it would be better to search for beomgye, pyeongchon rather than uiwang as uiwang is quite large and is quite variable (rich/poor/farm/land/city)

Clockout · Joined: 23 Feb 2009

I live in Gunpo and I really enjoy the Gunpo/Uiwang/Anyang area. Very suburban and lacks the buzz of Seoul but I like it.

30-40 mins from most places in Seoul.

Lots of decent stuff to do close to home. Great public transportation.

There are many foreigners in the area. Moreso in Anyang than Gunpo/Uiwang but still lots of people to make friends with.

Trains run to Seoul until 1 AM or so on weekdays and around 12 am on weekends.

and if I can offer my opinion: Take the public school job

Clockout · Joined: 23 Feb 2009

and yes, Beomgye is a great area.

I am in Sanbon which is nice if a little small but Beomgye is larger and has a little of everything while also being really clean (great park too.)

mai · Joined: 12 Jun 2009

Thanks for the replies! I greatly appreciate the info.

Beomgye looks awesome, and I believe there are a lot of schools in the area but I can't seem to find any openings, except for a private hagwon with a really nasty split shift that starts at 6:30 AM Shocked

I'm a bit of a night owl myself, so that's a killer. I'd like to take this public school opportunity in Uiwang but Beomgye seems more fun. I'll try to keep "googling" and see if I can find something in that area...

nathanrutledge · Joined: 01 May 2008 Location: Marakesh

FYI, googling beomgye won't find much for you, I'm sure. You'll have better luck looking up the city (si) name, which Beomgye station is in Anyang (if I'm not mistaken?). Anyway, I'm further down the line in Byeongjeom (Hwaseong), and I've been all over that area (around Geumjeong station, line 1/4 meet) and it's a good place. 30 minutes from the south edge of Seoul, about 20 minutes north of Suwon, plenty of things to do. There isn't much right outside your door, but everything is within a short distance. I'd take it.

joshua7choi · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Location: Suwon

Uiwang is quite close to Pyeongchon which is higly developed and full of crammers. As soon as you settle in that place you'd get more chance to meet other westerners easily.

My current residence in Uiwang is nearby Nazarus Village due to the catholic hospital on the top of the mountain which are still treating leprosies who are struggling with skin illness and physically they're seperated.

Anyway Uiwang is not bad a city as you think just get used to live in that place and try to get better chance to go to many places as long as you stay in Korea.

If u need more info plz contact me with 031-120 I'm here. ^^

mai · Joined: 12 Jun 2009

Thanks for the replies everyone!!!

I was actually supposed to be teaching in Gunpo, but my recruiter did a bit of a "bait and switch" move on me... After sending my resume/details to the middle school, she said I was accepted (hooray) only to tell me it was to a different school, not in Gunpo but Uiwang, and an elementary school. She claimed to have gotten the cities wrong.

I asked about Gunpo and she basically dodged my question and instead tried to sell me on Uiwang. What annoys me is she just put up an advertisement for that same middle school in Gunpo yesterday, meaning they're still looking.

It's not really a big deal -- After all, Gunpo and Uiwang are very close. However, I don't like being deceived and I found similar accounts on Dave's from the same recruiter. My only fear at this point is not being able to trust her... Any tips?

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

The important thing to do is to make sure you live close to either the #1 or #4 subway line. That's the key method of transportation to Seoul.

sunflower90 · Joined: 27 May 2013

I know this thread is super old, but I just moved to Uiwang. Wondering if any of you are still around here or where you used to go to meet people? I have no friends here. I have been here a week now and need to make some buddies! Let me know if you have suggestions for where to go/meet people. I am in Naeson-dong, right next to Lotte Mart in Uiwang.