Korean Job Discussion Forums

AwesomeBringer · Joined: 12 Sep 2006

Hey guys. I apologize in advance if this question is a repeat.

I think I've narrowed it down to two choices: Gimhae and
Gunpo. Gimhae is between Changwon and Busan, Gunpo is a satellite of Seoul. I've heard some people say that it is extremely important to be
near Seoul. Do you think this is true? Would being close to a major city like Busan (and also Changwon) be good enough? I haven't actually done much research on Seoul yet, so obviously, I have to do that...

Also, the recruiters want me to give them an answer fairly quickly. How long is it fair to take to consider the offers?

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

heydelores · Joined: 24 Apr 2006

Like, laogaiguk said, it's really hard to say one way or another. The first town I lived in was an hour train ride to the nearest city and a 3-hour train ride to Seoul. It was quite isolating, and I wouldn't recommend that experience. There were lots of other problems in that situation, too. If it had been a great school, maybe the distance to a city wouldn't have been such a problem.

My current school is in Gunpo, and I love being here, but that's largely because I have a great work environment. Seoul is easily accessible by subway and bus, though I really only go into the city on the occasional weekend.

I know nothing about Gimhae. Sorry.

DCJames · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

If this is your first job here, I would stick with somewhere close to Seoul or Seoul itself..

It makes all the difference in the world having many foreigners nearby and having the best western conveniences, transportation, etc. Korea has to offer..

If you feel still feel adventurous after your first year try somewhere more remote.

Good luck.

DJTwoTone · Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 9:06 pm Post subject:

I hate Seoul with a passion... I strongly suggest staying as far away from that crap whole as possible! As other people said... it depends on what sort of experience you want, I prefer the country side... But that's just me.

kat2 · Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Location: Busan, South Korea

People act like Seoul is hte end-all, be-all. I live in busan and love it. Gimhae isn't far from busan (maybe half an hour?). You can take the train or bus in easily. And you are at the beach (although from Gimhae it might take 45 minutes). And its warmer. And there isn't a whole lot you can't get in Busan with a little perseverance and a sense of adventure. Seoul really doesn't have that much of a leg up anymore, except maybe on variety. Seoul is only a 3 hour trip by KTX when youwant to go. Personally, I think Busan is hte place to be. However, I don't know much about gimhae specifically other than "hey, isn't that where the airport is."

Hotpants · Joined: 27 Jan 2006

You are either in Seoul or outside Seoul, no 'proximity' about it!

Transport to Seoul is pretty convenient from anywhere in Korea, and it will probably be just as easy to travel in from another city as from a satellite town if you are working in a hagwon and have too many working hours to be able to make it to Seoul on a daily basis in any case.

Seoul does have more on offer. Anywhere else is just a mini Seoul.

Job conditions should be foremost over location. Hands down.

red dog · Joined: 31 Oct 2004

I'd look for something in Seoul or Bundang. Even Incheon was too isolating for me ... I'm not sure about Gunpo, but it sounds too far. Maybe Ilsan would be OK, but I've never lived there so I can't say for sure.

ajuma · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!

If I had to choose between "near Seoul" or "near Busan", I'd choose "near Busan" EVERY time!! It's got so much more personality that Seoul does!!

Ok, ok...I'm a "Seoul-hater" from waaaaaayyy back! But I've lived 1 1/2 hours from Busan and 1 1/2 hours from Seoul and I went to Busan FAR more often than I go to Seoul!!

bosintang · Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:06 am Post subject:

Just curious, besides the beaches, what does Busan have that a small or medium-sized city like Suwon, Gangneung, or Daejeon *not* have?

Like it or leave it, Seoul is a bit cosmopolitan and has a bit of showcase atmosphere in some parts of the city, but outside of Seoul, I really don't see a big difference in Korean cities. They all have basically the same provincial feel, ammenities, and the only difference between Busan and Suwon is the amount of people you're bumping into everyday.

But it's been awhile since I've been in Busan, maybe I'm off the mark here.

ajuma · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!

IMHO, Busan has a much more laid-back attitude than Seoul (and the places surrounding Seoul) does. In Seoul, I always feel the "bali-bali" of Korean society. Busan is like "whatever...."

bosintang · Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 10:23 am Post subject:

I guess for me, if laid-back was what I was looking for, I wouldn't pick Busan. I'd pick a smaller city like Cheonan or Gangneung or Mokpo....

Busan might not be cosmopolitan, but its still a huge city. 4+ million people and very crowded and industrial, basically all the nuisances of big-city living without the perks.

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

I'd ditch both options and go for something actually within Seoul. Go for Mokdong, Gangnam, Hongdae.. maybe even Bundang. Get as close to the city as you can. It's better to spend your first year in Seoul than out in the middle of nowhere.

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

I live about 4-5 hours away from Seoul and it suits me fine....plenty to do and plenty of western stuff....

I personally would never live there in current circumstances unless something really good came along but I enjoy living in a medium size city(500 000)

brento1138 · Joined: 17 Nov 2004

I really liked my time in Daegu (when I first came to Korea) but have to say the Gunpo region is a huge step up. Not only do you have nice forested mountains, but you really are quite close to Seoul. And Seoul is an amazing city in my opinion, full of new things to explore. Gunpo has many Western and Asian delights, and I think the people here (both teachers & Koreans) are generally friendlier than in other areas of Korea...

Yeah, if I were to choose with your two options, there's really no decision to be made: Gunpo, 100%. I wouldn't bother being "near Busan" as you could visit it any old weekend from Seoul, only about two hours and a half by KTX. Busan is a nice place, and makes a nice weekend retreat once in a while...

As for living directly in Seoul, I couldn't take that. I like cities, am a city guy, but getting out of Seoul and back into Gunpo is quite a nice feeling... Oh, and Gunpo smells better than some areas of Korea... I know that sounds odd, but I've noticed it...