Korean Job Discussion Forums

[refikaM]

It looks like I may be securing a public school position in Daegu. I've searched the posts on Daegu, but the info is not specific as to what the quality of life is like there. Is there anyone out there who is living/teaching (or has lived/taught) in Daegu who can give me some information? I'm particularly interested in facilities such as gyms (are they expensive/comparable to US gyms?), parks (for jogging, etc.), shopping, apartments, nightlife, and the ease at which to meet new people... And the schools (public) in general? I've looked at the Daegu websites, and of course they make it seem quite liveable.... but that's what websites do. Are the websites somewhat accurate? Also, how easy is it to get to the surrounding mountainous areas for hiking, etc...

Any info would be helpful. Thanks in advance...

[wormholes101]

I lived in Daegu for three and a half years. It's quite a compact city and is surrounded by mountains so you'll probably have easy access to the mountains for hiking. If you know what area the school is in we may be able to tell you for sure...

Jogging in parks: There are some big parks but not many. Chances of you living near one is slim. But, for sure you can find a decent route for your run somewhere...

Gym facilities in Korea, in my opinion are quite expensive. In my experience, they could range from US$30-US$80 per month. My gym membership was about US$50 per month which included access to squash courts (which was the thing I was interested in - not the weights etc) It wasn't particularly spectacular.

Anyhow, it seems as though there is quite a range when it comes to gyms. Some are awesome and some are quite ratty.

Shopping is OK. Adequate enough for me. If you can be more specific, I'll write more..

[seoulsista]

Daegu's not terrible. You probably will not find many parks to go joggin in. I have never paid less than 80,000 won a month for a gym membership in Korea and the one I go to now is Daegu is that much and not nearly as nice as what you would get back home in terms of the types of cardio machines available. Although you do get clothes and towels.

Shopping is fine so long as you are not too tall or fat. The apartment you get will depend on your school. There are three or four bars where all the westerners go and you won't have any problem meeting other westerners if that's what you meant. I don't know anything about the public schools.

Overall if the school is great ad you are really in a bind then come to Daegu. However, if quality of life is the most important thing to you and you have time to keep looking then go somewhere in or around Seoul.

[Hotpants]

While it's supposed to be the '3rd biggest city' in Korea, it certainly doesn't feel like a big city. In fact, many of the streets across the city are empty at weekends when every one migrates out to somewhere that has some 'action'. Daegu is certainly NOT a place for action. You will find all the amenities and facilities you need, but it doesn't have any sense of cutting edge modernity or vibrancy about it. Daegu is for those who prefer a more slow paced (large town) life over the rat race of Seoul metropolis. It does have a kind of expat conglomeration in the Suseong Gu area of the town, but again, it's not got much edge to it. Daegu-ites as a whole are also a bit more conservative than in other regions. Many young people will migrate to Seoul if they have the chance. Daegu does have the plus side in that it's in close proximity to many historic areas, and only a short hop from Busan, which does have a lot more going for it. Daegu does also have reasonable pleasant hillside surround scenery. Daegu does have very hot summers, but the worst of the heat only lasts for a month or so, so climate shouldn't be your deciding factor. You could do much worse than Daegu, I'm sure. I think I make a fair assessment.

[daz1979]

Isn't there a big military base in Daegu??

[AliNZ]

I liked the markets in Daegu - great shopping.

Easy town to get around in too.

I remember Dunkin Donuts and coffee - opposite the bus station - were good too!!

[seoulsista]

[spinario]

Six people have the following answers:

"sweet."

"red."

"green."

"disgusting."

"healthy."

"smooth."

What are they talking about?




An apple.

Come here and check it out.

You'll be as happy as you want to be. I live in a very slow part of Daegu. No other white people save one dude from Cali teaching at my school.

I go to hapkido everyday, and I hike on the weekends with my SLR. I am very happy.

But then again, I lived in Arusha and I was happy there too.

[AliNZ]

That's so true, isn't it...

You'll be as happy as you want to be...

you create your own reality...so why not make it a good experience

why hanker after western style food and shopping - you may as well stay home and never learn or experience anything enw of the world.

Throw yourself in and enjoy, I say.

[Pak Yu Man]

[jinks]