Korean Job Discussion Forums

[StAxX SOuL]

I've had a few questions as to whereabouts in Seoul I'd like to be placed, but besides looking at the district map I have no idea with what to answer and I'd like to be able to give a confident answer based on some second hand knowledge...

If you could drop some districts within as to some quite vibrant area with good local amenities, shops, and entertainment it would be great... I've lived in big cities all my life so I do like to be at the centre of things if that makes a difference..

[RACETRAITOR]

[Xerxes]

I never really liked downtown because even though the term "downtown" seems to make the place central, there really aren't too many Western friendly places there.

I think that the Hongdae, Shinchon, Ewha triangle is one of the best for a newbie, or the Hannam Village area, with the mix of expats and military and "just-looking" Western shoppers, or Apgujung/Gangnam area. If you get free housing in Apgujung/Gangnam area, this is the best, but if you don't the rent is through the roof and day-to-day things are much more expensive. But it's also got the best night life, clubs, shopping and such. Hangdae/Shanchon/Ewha is good for cheap stuff and a lot of college town night life (center of 4 major universities in Seoul) and decent cheap shopping (Ewha area). Lots of Expats there too. The hakwons are not as many and as lucrative, with fewer private tutor possibilities. The Hannam Village is great place to live for expats with all the western businesses putting up their employees there, but the teaching job possibilities are much fewer with less hakwon schools. The Hannam area has a lot of tutor positions though, if you know where to look and get a good parent to set up contacts for you.

That's just my opinion.

[RACETRAITOR]

I lived in Hongdae for half a year, and it was the best place to be. But self-control is a requirement.

[ajgeddes]

I agree, the Hondae/EWHA/Shinchon area is best. Realistically though, anywhere withing a 10,000 won cab ride is just as good. I lived in Mokdong my first year, and it was only 6,000 won to Hongdae. Mokdong is also the least densely populated area in Seoul and close to Gimpo and good for Incheon if need be. It is not the best area, but also not the worst. On a plus, it is a wealthy area and there are TONNES of jobs there.

[Hobophobic]

I agree with MokDong...it is close enough to Hongdae and Edae whether you go by taxi, bus, or even subway (25 mins)...pretty clean and not overly packed...but I am biased as I spent my first 4 years there...

...and even though it is somewhat of a well to do area the surrounding areas (Sinjeong/Sinjeongnegorie are really cheap for shopping and so forth.

[SPINOZA]

I've found Northwest Seoul (PM me for precise location info if necessary) to be extremely convenient.

* Not too overcrowded. NW Seoul is actually quite a short distance from the centre because a load of mountains separate Seoul proper from the Greater Seoul areas beyond (Ilsan chiefly, I think). The fact that this is, relatively speaking, the edge of Seoul accounts for the less overcrowded streets, I'm told. It's also fairly clean.
* Insadong - 20 mins (subway).
* Itaewon - 30 mins, same line, cab 10-12k.
* Myeong-Dong - 40 mins, one transfer.
* Hongdae - 20 mins, one transfer, cab 6-7k.
* Downtown - 20-30 mins, one transfer.
* Walking/nature opportunities.
* Seoul National Museum - similar to Myeong-Dong.
* Namsan Tower - 30 mins, one transfer.
* Markets - 30-40 mins, one transfer.
* Relatively low management fees.
* Closer to Incheon Airport. Bus - 45 mins.
* World Cup Stadium and its many amenities close by.

Downside:

* anything in the south and southeast is a hellishly long subway journey, often standing because those trains go through Downtown on their way. COEX and Lotte World suck to get to and from. Shows how spoilt I've become when I object to an hour on a train standing! Back home it's a way of life.

I pity those in areas like Suraksan, because you're effin' miles away from anything and, because many apartments are new and extremely nice, the management fees are very high. Avoid the extreme North of Seoul if you wanna get around the city conveniently.

[Swiss James]

I think Mokdong would be a nice place to live, it's just over the bridge from what I consider the best area for shopping / drinking /dancing and a-loving (Sinchon / Hongdae), but not as hectic.

Course I like hectic, so it's hongdae every single time for me.

[Chillin' Villain]

[Xerxes]

Haven't been doing bar hopping for a while now being married and having a kid, but what's in Hongdae area, Anyang? I am intrigued. What is so tempting that it will "knock you off your wagon."

[RACETRAITOR]

[Chillin' Villain]

Haha...

By knocking one off the proverbial wagon, I mean that one with an aversion to drinking may find themselves easily swayed by their surroundings to do it frequently.... Hongdae just has a lot of drinking establishments, and many cuties running around from establishment to establishment, so it can get a bit distracting and tempting for the single guys (and the married ones, too, if they're bastards... haha). Of course, self-control is something we all possess to some degree.

Anyang has a lot of drinking establishments, but with significantly less appeal to the foreigner crowd (mostly- there are a couple places)... Really, anywhere in Korea has 'em. I just mentioned Anyang because that's where I happen to live, and even HERE (which is a far cry from the vibrant Hongdae) I am often fighting the urge to go out and have a pint or ten.

If you're married and aren't too worried about turning into a raging boozer (exaggeration), then Hongdae probably would be decent. Rents are relatively cheaper, good access to lots of stuff, and it's a fun area for when you DO want to go out.

I'm not an anti-Itaewon person or anything (I like it on many occasions), but there's no way in hell I'd want to live there. I can't really put my finger on why, though.

[RACETRAITOR]

Rent is not decent in Hongdae.

[eamo]

[Chillin' Villain]