What is life like as an expat in your area?
When we asked people living abroad what life is like in their areas and how people spend their time, they said...
"Living in Taean for a few months. I have found that it is like living in the country. We do have our little city and it does have events such as the Fall Festival and Christmas concert which they held. The traffic is not like Seoul or the other major cities. I have seen other foreigners but have not met them. Looking to do that. The neighbors have been friendly and the town councilmen have been around and introduced themselves. The city is active in making sure the people are taken care of. So far so good," wrote a member who made the move to Korea.
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"Daejeon is the fifth largest city in Korea with a population of nearly 1.5 million people. It is known as the "Silicon Valley" of Korea and is the technology center of the country. It also has several major universities, including Chungnam National University and KAIST (the Korean equivalent to M.I.T.). The expat community is by and large employed in the EFL industry. Those who work in the EFL industry typically work less than 30 hours a week, so socializing is a high priority within the community. Korea in general has quite the nightlife culture and all-night drinking affairs are not uncommon, especially with the EFL teachers, because many of them work at private academies (hagwons) and don't begin their work until mid-afternoon. However, drinking isn't the only form of socializing in which the expat community participates. Many participate in sports such as football(soccer), rugby, basketball, volleyball, and ultimate frisbee. These activities range from being highly organized to "pick-up" style gatherings and usually occur on weekends. Other outdoor activities are also extremely popular, especially hiking and skiing (winter only). Other types of gatherings are popular too. Many expats socialize in the endless array of coffee shops that Daejeon has to offer. The Starbucks at the Timeworld Shopping Center in central Daejeon is heavily trafficked by foreigners. Idee Coffee, in the "old" downtown area, is an artsy place where many of the more independent-spirited expats commune. Idee is a popular place for expat art shows and a meeting place for the D.A.S. (Daejeon Art Solidarity)," explained one expat living in Daejeon, Korea.
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Other Questions:
- What do I need to know before moving to Korea?
- How do I find a place to live in Korea?
- What is a typical expat home or apartment like in Korea?
- What is the average cost of housing in Korea?
- Should I buy or rent a home in Korea?
- What should I pack when moving to Korea?
- What cultural faux pas should I try to avoid making in Korea?
- Why do people move to Korea?
- What are healthcare services like in Korea?
- What are medical services in Korea like?
- What are typical rents in Korea?
- What appliances are typically included in a rental?
What is life like as an expat in your area?
If you live in Korea, newcomers to Korea would love to hear your answer to this question.
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is one of the founders of Digital Nomad Exchange and the Founder and President of Expat Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange and Digital Nomad Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.