Korean Job Discussion Forums

[thatshendowang]

Hi

Has anyone lived here and able to provide any info? Looking a bit online obviously but looking for upto-date. Busy, food, nightlife, gym etc. Accessible to central-Seoul and other areas? Good area to live in?

Thanks for any info at all.

[SeoulNate]

Lived next door for it for a few years.

Area first:

The immediate area has nothing going on at all, mostly just schools and academies. It is a famous education area.

It is about a 15 minute walk from Nowon station which has a fair amount of food/bars (one foreign bar) etc, but I wouldn't really call it a foreign hangout zone.

Depending on where you are talking about as the 'middle of Seoul' it will take around 45 minutes-1 hour to get there by train. The main problem is getting back at night as the trains going north will stop earlier and getting a taxi from Hongdae/Itaewon (Gangnam is easier as it is just a straight shot up the river) back to Nowon can bit a bit of a pain at 1am. However, doesnt stop many people from the area from heading down there.

Tons of foreign teachers living in the area though, so if you are a noobie it will be a good place to meet new friends and have some good experiences.

Also, if you like outdoors stuff, there are many mountains within walking distance and some decently nice river trails for running/biking/blading.

As for the school:

I never heard anything terrible from any of the teachers I knew that worked there, just the normal complains about Korean academies. With that said, I would still ask to speak to a teacher who works there.

[thatshendowang]

Thank you for such a prompt reply.

Yes, it seems that this is what I'm picking up...not a great deal in the immediate vicinity but not far away from other areas. I'm a newbie, this is sounding pretty enticing.

[bossface]

SeoulNate pretty much hits the nail on the head.

pros: Junggye is fairly quiet but convenient for day to day life - there are restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, gyms, and other foreigners. Nowon station is a 15 minute walk away, and there's decent nightlife there if you don't feel like going into central Seoul. Costco is relatively close. Buram mountain is literally steps away.

cons: There aren't any subway stations in the immediate area. Sanggye, Nowon, Junggye, and Hagye all take about 15 minutes to reach on foot, or a short bus or cab ride. Getting from Junggye to pretty much anywhere else in Seoul tends to take about an hour door to door. Cabs home from the cool neighborhoods run about 20 bucks, which isn't great but isn't terrible, especially if you split cabs home.

I haven't lived there in a while so I don't really know the scene there anymore, but overall I'd say it's a fine place for a noob.

[thatshendowang]

Thanks guys, wonderful help and I'm pleased with your answers, looks like can easily make this work