Korean Job Discussion Forums

[garygoodbloke]

If you are skim reading the boards atm, then just read the bold parts here, for a full understanding, read it all .

I am slowly, but surely, narrowing down the variables of my ideal/optimum job and conditions in Korea. I want to work in a Public School, no weekends, prepaid airfare, etc. There are still a few things I haven't made up my mind about. The rest are not overly important to me (yet, atleast), however there is one thing I still want to know- which part of Seoul is the BEST to live in?

I know this all comes down to personal preferences so I will help narrow it down a little. I like to go out and have a drink, meet girls and have a variety of venues to choose from (as in clubs, bars, cocktail longues, etc.). I am not a total party freak though, and I don't want to feel as though I am attempting to lead a familiar life in a foreign place. I also like to live centrally and in a place with equal access to the other interesting places in Seoul. Perhaps this has been answered before, but I have only found posts from four years ago.

So which suburbs of Seoul should be on my shortlist, which should not and why[/b]

[blynch]

miari

[Harpeau]

Haebancheon has really blossomed over the last few years. Many Westerners are living there. Though, at times it can get a wee bit congested.

Hongdae is coool, but fairly expensive. I guess it depends what you value.

[chronicpride]

[gmat]

If you are looking at suburbs, Bundang and Ilsan are generally regarded as good choices.

[Son Deureo!]

I second what chronicpride says. Job conditions are way more important than location. Plus, the competition will be considerably higher in any area that you would consider prime.

However, all other things being equal....

Seoul is easy to get around, so what cp said about 10-15 stops from Hongdae or Itaewon is more than good enough. Another nice thing about Seoul is that unlike a lot of Western cities even the poorest neighborhoods aren't particularly dangerous, so neighborhood isn't that much of a concern. Korean ghetto is actually pretty pleasant, and in many ways more fun and authentic than the soulless apartment complexes that make up the wealthier neighborhoods.

Since you asked about the 'burbs, Bundang and Ilsan are both wealthy and have a lot of Western creature comforts. Bucheon and Incheon are both a bit more ghetto, but as I said, I like Korean ghetto. In either you should have little trouble meeting other Westerners if that's what you want to do. It's probably easier to meet people (Korean or Western) if you live in the 'burbs than if you live in Seoul proper. If you're in the 'burbs make sure you're close to a subway station. If you're in a spot with crappy public transport it feels less like you're living in the 'burbs and more like you're living in the country.

[garygoodbloke]

Good advice, esp. chronicpride. I have a few items on my wish list that I don't want to give up, but that is mostly standard stuff (flights etc..) but for all the other stuff on the list I am working a rough formula of getting 85% of what I want. The longer I'm looking though, the more I'll be willing to negotiate though. But that's really neither here nor there.

The 10-15 stops comment seems very useful, too. Oh, and i wrote i like cocktail lounges but it censored it (and this one <--- too), what I wrote was "Charlie Oskar Charlie Kilo" -tail lounge if you read the capitals, don't understand why that would be beeped out.

thanks so far... ...Keep it coming!

[princess]

Songpa-Gu...Right next to Jamsil...that's where Lotte World and other nice places are, and you are close to Samsung(Coex) and Gangnam. Plus, not too far from Shinsa and ApguPrincessLand..my fav places!!!

[Col.Brandon]

[bnrockin]

what about the non-burbs places. I've been living all my life in the burbs and I'm sick of it. Where are some good places to live with an active life near by?