Korean Job Discussion Forums

Czarjorge

Based on most of what I've read the PNU area is best.

Any suggestions?

I'll bake you cookies when I get to Korea. (Really, my friend is a baker and he spent tonight teaching how to make not too sweet cookies that might be pleasing to the Korean palate.)

Wrench · Joined: 07 Apr 2005

Preferably not on a street. Can I have some cookies when you come.

Seriously I would suggest areas around Haeundae or PNU/Dongnae

Czarjorge · Posted: Sat May 19, 2007 7:05 pm Post subject:

Anyone? Anyone?

gabegirl · Joined: 13 Nov 2006

It depends on what you are looking for, but I would choose Haeundae if I knew better when we first came over. Haeundae is the beach area and there are TONS of foreigners, so much so you just feel like you are in a metropolitan beach city...along with several restaurant choices, and its beautiful.

Dongnae and PNU area are nice as well for shopping and things to do, and you will get a more cultural experience if you are looking to learn Korean more and have Korean friends.

If you want to totally submerge yourself in koreans come to gupo (where I am) its close to the subway to get to other places...but we get so excited when we see a foreigner in our area we have to stop and say hello. I feel like a "country bumpkin"... I'd still rather be in Haeundae, but it just depends on you. Just be careful, cause we figured the beach would be close anywhere in pusan, but it takes us at least 45 minutes!!

Czarjorge · Posted: Sat May 19, 2007 9:39 pm Post subject:

I've lived most of the life I can remember (I was 2 when my family lived in Hawaii) in the midwest. 45 minutes from the beach is still pretty close.

What's the water like? Clean? Warm?

I'm thinking PNU probably. Would the hagwons in that area still have elementary kids? I'm leaning toward kids as it's my first time teaching ESL, and I don't think tutoring in college qualifies me to teach adults.

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

The water is cold and dirty, but it is nice to be able to go walking on the beach or have a few beers and listen to the waves. If you go to some of the beaches out of town, the water is better, but i still never swim.

Any where will have kiddie hogwans. No problems finding that in any area. You oculd still probaly get a job with adults, although the hours are usually hellish.

PNU is a good area. Liek the other posters said, PNU or Haeundae are the best place.s

DannyOKC · Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Location: Busan

I'd suggest Seomyeon. It's fairly central. You're not too far from Busan Station, Nampo-Dong, PNU, or Haeundae.

I live in Hadan. It's 45 minutes to PNU or Haeundae, 30 minutes to Seomyeon, and about 15 minutes to Nampo and Busan Station. Those are the places I go to most, besides places for skateboarding.

Homer · Guest

Haeundae, Kwanganlee, Dongnea, Suyong...all are nice

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

Seomyeon is really crowded. I hate goign there. I like Haeundae, b/c outside of hte beach (and Emart), none of it is that crowded. Centum City, Haeudae New Town are the best parts of Haeundae. New Town is foreigner central.

Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida · Joined: 27 Oct 2006 Location: Not Korea

Texas Street Laughing

My first 2 apartments were just off Texas Street and the area was too bad... if you don't mind 180 pound Russian hookers soliciting you to and from work.

Czarjorge · Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 8:28 pm Post subject:

Russian prostitutes, I know where I'm living!

Isn't Texas street where most of the expat night life occurs? Where the expats bars are, or are they scattered around the city?

I'm assuming since you recommended it you actually meant "wasn't that bad." Or was that sarcasm, which doens't translate well to this setting, as I have found out through my own posts.

Also, what US city is comparable to Pusan? It's about 4 million people, so is it comparable to Chicago? (Chi-town greater metro is more than that, but it would seem, based on the travel times given that Pusan is similar to Chicago, though it would seem like the El is better than the Pusan metro?)

Feedback and I will feed you cookies.

Aside: I was reading about brown-nosing at work, and how it is somewhat necessary, not to get ahead but just to have a decent work experience, and one of the suggestions was baked goods. Would Koreans find it oddly to bring things I made myself, rather than purchased? I promise they won't be 'magic' cookies. Twisted Evil

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

I would say, as far as oppotunities for expats (non korean and non korean speaking), busan offers as many opportunites as a 500,000 size city in the US. Certianly not Chicago

The western bars are centered in PNU, Kyungsungdae, and Haeundae, with a few scattered around seomyeon. Outside of these areas,there's not a lot of places to go besides korean style hofs.

Czarjorge · Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 5:36 pm Post subject:

I was thinking more in terms of commute times, geographical size, etc. Not comparing Chicago to Pusan.

Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida · Joined: 27 Oct 2006 Location: Not Korea

Actually, apartments off Texas Street are ok. The only time it gets noisy is when a ship is in port.

michi gnome · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Location: Dokdo

czar

i've lived in both cities. trust me, busan's train system is vastly superior to the ancient 3rd-world El in Chi-town. on time, few delays, cheaper=about $1/ride compared to $2 in chi) etc...only drawback: stops running at midnight.
you shouldn't have to worry much about commute (which sucks ass in chicago). you'll probably live within walking or a short bus ride to your school.

i think both cities are comparable in terms of geographical size. though chicago very flat, busan=many mountains/hills & living areas in the "bowls" between them.

got good memories of chicago, though generally think it's a hick town w/ skyscrapers. you might find busan similar in that respect, minus the monster bldgs