Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ew_1]

I'm curious, are any of you familiar with the Gil-dong (not Sangil-dong) area in eastern Seoul? The subway stop is on the 5-line (purple).

I'm primarily interested in what the neighborhood is like and what kind of housing would be available there... I'm looking for something newer in the officetel style. If there are parks/nature and any cleaner air than other parts of Seoul, that would be welcome. (In the recent past, I've also been investigating Bundang and have found that area appealing.) Nightlife/clubs are not a primary concern for me.

Thanks for any tips or experiences.

[Newbie]

Hey,

I lived 2 subway stops away from gil-dong (at kangdong) and worked two stops on the other side (sangil-dong). They're all very close, about a 30 minute walk from kangdong to sangil-dong, gil dong being right about the middle.

Decent area. Lots of bars and restaurants. Growing very quickly. The amount of officetels and hagwons that sprang up within the two years I was there was impressive.

Olympic Park is a 30 minute walk away and it can be quite nice.

Not as crowded as central seoul, but just as dirty. Central seoul is about 40 minutes away on subway.

feel free to ask some more questions

[ew_1]

Thanks for the info. I really appreciate it. Glad to hear there are newer officetels that have sprung up. Those are probably what I'll spring for if I end up there.

When you say it's just as dirty as the rest of Seoul, are you talking about what you see in the streets or what's in the air? Or both? Bundang is appealing to me because of somewhat better/cleaner conditions of both--or so I've been told. Air quality is more important to me than some garbage and dirt on the street. Coming from a smallish city in the southern part of the country, I guess I'm used to the latter, but at least I have a little cleaner air here.

I've only visited Seoul, not lived there. I'm really curious how the smog/pollution varies from Gangnam to Gil-dong/Gangdong to Bundang. I'm assuming Gangnam and Gangdong are similar, but Bundang is slightly better. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[jajdude]

Gil or "Kil dong" station is a busy area, not far from "kang dong" station. Up that road is "Tun cheon dong" station, and later Olympic Park. I think that part of Seoul is a good place to be.

It is clean near olympic park. In Seoul, around Olympic Park is perhaps the nicest area I have seen. (I lived near there for two years.) Chamsil is OK too. Songpa gu is OK.

[bosintang]

As it just happens, I just moved to Gil-dong into an officetel this weekend, slightly closer to Gangdong stn. than Gil-dong stn. I really like the officetel. Out of about a half dozen housing arrangements I've had in Seoul, this is the best I've had.

The area is non-descript. It can be anywhere in Seoul, but there's a good selection of restaurants in the area,and it's not too far from Olympic Park, Jamsil, or Cheonho. There's a a fairly nice, smaller neighbourhood park near Cheonho/Amsa, but I haven't actually walked there yet so I'm not quite sure how convenient it is to Gil-dong.

As far as cleanliness goes, the air quality is terrible like the rest of Seoul, particularly the last few days. The streets aren't the filthiest I've seen in Seoul, but they're not the cleanest either.

[ew_1]

Bosintang,

If you feel comfortable doing so, would you mind telling me the name of the officetel? Also, can you share how much you're paying? I may be coming to the area soon and want to check out what housing is in the neighborhood.

Feel free to PM me.

[jajdude]

Hey bosintang, then your housing has improved? Cool. (I think the boss pays)