Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Emma Clare]

I'm currently working in the back of beyond (near Iljuk) on a summercamp. I'm out on my ear in 2 weeks time and need to find a place to find a job. Can anyone recommend a city about an hour or less from Seoul that is fairly pleasant (parks and such, and not too polluted) with a decent selection of bars and pubs. Oh, and a friendly ESL community too!

I thought about Gwang Ju maybe?? I'm kinda scared about being completely on my own in Korea for the first time!

Cheers!

[GirlFromMars]

The desired city you describe sounds exactly like Bundang, it would be worth checking out.

[katydid]

I think the Gwangju that is talked about most often is about 5 hours away from Seoul in the Jeollanamdo Province. There is also one in Kyonggi-do (am I right?) that I imagine is much smaller, but maybe closer to Seoul?

[kiwiboy_nz_99]

I suggest in Seoul it's self, the more central the better.

[matthews_world]

Try over here in my neck-of-the-woods in Ansan or Suwon.

Suwon (Line 1) is pretty clean, depending where you go. It's a large city with 3 universities, a subway line and 40 min from Seoul.

Ansan (Line 4) is a factory town but has hagwons in new residential areas.

There are a lot of cities that would fit your bill:

Kangnam
Bundang
Uejibongu(sp?) - north of Seoul
Incheon - yes, the town with the airport.
Gimpo - another airport town.

I have a friend in Uejibongu who has a room available for a teacher. PM and I'll give you her e-mail. She's married and has kids.

Stay way from Suji, near Suwon and Pundang. This city doesn't have a subway. There is little to do here, department stores are hard to find.

[Harpeau]

There is a Gwangju in Gyonggi-do outside of Seoul (South East). It's down past Hanam, on the way to Yongin. There are no subways near their and the buses don't seem to be running very late in those parts (what my friend Debra tells me).

I guess you want a bit of a balance. Bundang isn't bad. We were there for about a year. A bit like suburbia, but there are bicycle paths, etc.

Some say that they like Daechi-dong. I'm happy in NE Seoul personally. Love the subway. It's so easy to get around.

Best of luck,
Harpeau

[JackSarang]

[Bulsajo]

I'll always be a fan of of Southern Kangnam-gu- Irwon, Suseo, and Gaepo dongs- nestled right up to the hills surrounding Seoul, but still close to everything.

[kiwiboy_nz_99]

I feel like the devil's advocate here amounst all you dedicated suburbanites, but I really suggest Hongdae/Itaewon/Apgujong if you want to be able to walk out your door and be where stuff is happening socially right off the bat.

[Blue Flower]

I would love to work/live in Itaewon or Hongdae. Also Haeudai Beach down in Busan. that was pretty damn cool.

May I suggest my own little patch? Anyang is closer to Seoul than Suwon, and is on the same line - line number one - dark blue. It has about a million people, so I guess it is smallish by Korean standards, but I like it. It has some cute Irish boys, numerous bars, etc. Large shopping stores. I don't know if you have heard of Su-ri Mountain? But thats behind my house. Anyang has lots of mountains around it so it still looks green. I am happy with where I am. The people are friendly, and I've only had one man ask me if I was Russian.

[crazylemongirl]

I think that where ever you decide to go, that you make sure that you have ease of acess to get away from it. Where I lived in bucheon didn't actually cut much time off my trips to hongdae compared to now that I live in Incheon as I am close to an express bus stop.

Also look for things like how close is stuff you need for day to day living. I'm within 10minutes walking distance of both walmart and carrefour, a post office, subway station etc. I didn't have that back in Bucheon.

Just stuff I've learnt.

CLG

[kiwiboy_nz_99]

[camel96]

[Emma Clare]

Thanks for all your suggestions. I've marked them off on my lovely colorful tourist map of Korea and I'll check them out as soon as I leave this place (which is beautiful, but dull, dull, dull)

Top of the list are Bundang and Anyang. Does anyone know any cheap hostels or places to stay in these cities? Oh yes, I've spent 2 nights in Itaewon and I have to say that it really is kinda pleasant strolling around first thing in the morning. Contrary to what I was lead to believe the streets were absolutely pristine.

[matthews_world]