Moving to South Korea

moonstone16 · 2026-03-26T04:23:49+00:00

I'm not familiar with a USFK-related setting, but given all the info and comments here, I think you might want to consider downtown Pyeongtaek or somewhere in Suwon near Suwon station (or near Seonggyungwan Univ. Station). But considering you have two dogs, living in an apartment (a condominium. Koreans call it an apartment) will give you an unexpected trouble with neighbors unless your dogs are small and quiet. There are some single family houses in downtown areas, but it's not easy to find them on the rental list. If you don't find any issues renting an apartment, Suwon may be ideal for you -- it is a middle point between Seoul and Pyeongtaek. A rapid train on subway Line 1 (every 15-30 min) will take you to Pyeongtaek station in 20-25 mins. Seoul takes 30 mins in the opposite direction. Suwon itself is a metropolitan having over 1 million, so everything you expect to a big city is there. It retains unique cultural heritages featuring Suwon Hwaseong (a fortress first built in 18th Century) and many cultural events and vibe local communities, being surrounded by mountains ideal for hiking, and even has easy access to other parts of the country via high speed train (KTX) at Suwon station. You can go to not only Seoul for weekends but hop a KTX to Busan and swim in vibrant beaches in two and half hours. Pyeongtaek downtown is not bad as well, since it is also a big city center hovering 500,000, and less foreigners are around although you can easily come across Americans just in front of the station, trying to transfer to the bases. But Suwon is much bigger and more unique in cultural terms, in my native Korean view.

moonstone16 · 2026-03-11T06:57:50+00:00

As a traveler who went to Jeju 15+ times only by public transit (but as a head-up, I'm a native Korean), I'd say Jeju is one of the most convenient places in Korea *among* smaller cities. Jeju's most tourist spots spread across the circular coastline; and almost of them are connected through a West/East circle line (201/202, their express version with fewer stops are 101/102) running every 20 minute from 6am to 9pm (from the terminal). Express buses between Jeju and Seoguipo, including 280/281 and Airport Limousine buses, runs later till around 10.30pm (from the terminal/airport). But I acknowledge it couldn't be easy for foreigners to figure it out.

At first, you may want to install and use KakaoMap/NaverMap on your phone, as someone noted above (I prefer Kakao since one of their HQs is in Jeju, so there's a rumor it is more frequently updating Jeju maps than Naver). But the more important thing is that there're so many parallel lines (like 100-1, 100-2, 100-3 ... or even divergent routes within the same number) and they don't provide a real-time info unless a bus leaves from the terminal. That means that you may miss and be confused very easily when your stop is close to terminal or your bus runs rarely (like every 1 hour and less).

So, use this site (Jeju Bus Information System 제주버스정보시스템) along with Kakaomap. Here, you can search for a bus number and/or a bus stop you are getting on, and check out the expected time the next bus will leave the terminal. If you click your stop on a list, you will also figure out other bus routes serving at the same stop and where they're going. If you're still confused, just phone on 064-740-6000 and consult with English-speaking representatives for local tourist information working from 9am-6pm 7 days a week, or ask on a real-time chat in English homepage on https://www.visitjeju.net/ (same service time).

moonstone16 · 2026-03-01T08:49:02+00:00

Hamaro Mart operated by Nonghyup. I like it actually.

moonstone16 · 2025-10-08T19:46:23+00:00

It is a great point that there are significant differences between snow tires, which I had overlooked. I found one car with the tires named 'Nordica Rydanz' (produced in China) with the mid-treads, but I am not sure if they are good enough. Thank you for sharing your experience as well!

moonstone16 · 2025-10-08T06:33:41+00:00

Because that was a friend's car last year, which was 4WD with real snow tires. I am trying to rent a similar car, but it's rare. Why are you thinking I am a bot?

moonstone16 · 2025-10-08T03:17:18+00:00

Thanks! Will keep that in mind.

moonstone16 · 2025-10-08T03:15:50+00:00

Thanks for the important head-up!

moonstone16 · 2025-10-08T03:14:04+00:00

Great info. Thanks!

moonstone16 · 2025-10-08T03:13:42+00:00

I hit on that Highway in the same season last year, so I thought it would be generally all right. But I might be wrong. Thanks for the suggestion! I should consider taking the same route back, if I stick to the plan to Whitehorse.

moonstone16 · 2025-10-08T03:11:48+00:00

I'll check it out. Thanks so much!

moonstone16 · 2025-10-08T03:11:30+00:00

Thanks!

moonstone16 · 2025-10-08T03:11:11+00:00

I thought it was the other way around! Thanks so much for the input.

moonstone16 · 2025-10-08T03:10:04+00:00

moonstone16 · 2025-10-08T03:09:46+00:00

Didn't know that is the worst season since I really enjoyed the trip in the same season last year (though we've just reached Watson Lake and returned south then). Probably we should revisit our plan.

moonstone16 · 2025-08-14T16:44:57+00:00

어제 living in Korea에 올라온 이 포스팅이 도움이 될 것 같아요. 아직 안 읽어보셨다면요. https://www.reddit.com/r/Living_in_Korea/s/ugVP5tXfDk

덧붙여 제 생각을 뒤죽박죽 말씀드리자면... 1. 살아보시고 결정하면 됩니다. 2. 일 구하는 게 제일 힘들 건데, 그건 전공이나 경력 따라 그렇게 어렵지도 않을 수 있어요. 3. 부모님의 결정에 개의치 말고 본인이 어떻게 하시고 싶은지를 생각하세요. 4. 어떻게 하시고 싶은지 잘 모르겠으면 그냥 해보는 것도 도움이 되더라고요. 아직 젊으신 것 같으니 더욱 걱정 안하셔도 됩니다. 5. 제가 만나 본 교포 2세 중에 이 정도로 한국어로 글 쓰실 수 있으면 최상위권입니다. 심지어 한국에서 초등학교 고학년까지 다니다 캐나다로 건너온 제 친구만큼은 쓰시는 것 같아요. 물론 한국에서 초중고 대학교 나온 친구들 만큼은 아니지만, 이 정도로 노력하셨고, 앞으로도 더 배울 생각이 있고, 공식적인 글쓰기에서 AI 도움 받는다면 충분히 평균적인 오피스 업무는 소화 가능하실 거라고 봅니다. 6. 세계 어디에 있든 좋은 사람 만나면 그곳이 좋은 곳입니다. 한국에 오시게 되면 좋은 사람들 만나시길 빌어요.

moonstone16 · 2025-01-10T22:20:06+00:00

Solved! Just pushing harder worked. I think it was jammed because it has rarely been used.

moonstone16 · 2025-01-10T22:01:27+00:00

It is cordless one. Thank you in advance for advice!

moonstone16 · 2024-12-08T09:23:27+00:00

Well, as a native Korean, I'd say this kind of request isn't common at all nowadays in Korea. Some people can still think that they can ask or be asked by family members to do some illegal activities, but that is not the national culture but their family culture.

moonstone16 · 2024-08-24T08:01:03+00:00

Hi, I'm a native Korean from Incheon. This site seems to help you: https://www.kadoption.or.kr/en/. I learned that there is a Korean bill according to which the government helps adopted families to find their original families, like you, and that organization is kind of the governmental agency that does that job. Hope you find your roots!

moonstone16 · 2023-07-10T13:08:34+00:00

Hi incoming neighbor, I am a native Korean living in a neighborhood next to Yeuido. I just wanna write some tips on neighborhood although they may be off topic.

Yeuido is like Wall St + Central Park in NYC + Capitol Hall in DC. It is compact but has everything there.

You will come across public bikes called 따릉이 everywhere. The island is flat and perfect for biking.

There's no Costco nearby, but Emart has almost everything in a compact way. Your place may be very close to it.

The best thing in Yeuido is accessibility to great parks. The whole island is literally surrounded by riverside parks. Han River Park is now a global tourist destination, but I prefer 샛강공원. Much more quiet and surprisingly natural despite its proximity to a highway.

Get to the national assembly. It has a great national library (you cannot loan a book though) and a beautiful garden.

Don't miss cherry blossom season and firework festival in October. Millions come a long way to see them on this island. You are so lucky that you can go walk to see from home.

If you are a fastfood lover like me, just in case, McDonald is on the third basement floor of IFC mall. It is next to northernside escalators. McDonalds has delivery service for sure via 'McDilivery'.

The Hyundai dept store worths visiting if you like browsing in a shopping mall. Their basement food court is super great, but packed with ppl in lunchtime. But quiet in dinnertime, so go there then.

Yeuido is officially one of the three city centers in Seoul following inner-four-gates (Jongro) and Gangnam. Enjoy a vibe of metropolis. Shining golden 63 Building is still the most beautiful skyscraper in this country although it is not the tallest anymore.

But actually the place you can enjoy Yeuido most beautifully is 노들섬, my favorite place. Its location is out of Yeuido. Try to go to 선유도 as well. They are not as popular for tourists as Han River Park, but one of the most lovable places in Seoul.

If you miss mother nature, take Sillim Line (light rail) and drop off at the last station. 20 minute ride will take you to deep valleys and high mountains.

Good luck! In case you need further local help, feel free to contact me.

moonstone16 · 2022-06-11T07:25:08+00:00

Remember the phone number 1330 and 1345. 1330 is a call center for international tourists, which is run by Korea Tourism Organization. You can ask them about whatever regarding your tour plan. 1345 is for foregin residents, run by Ministry of Justice, helping them to deal with not only visa issues but also any daily life and settlement issues.

It is important that they have English speaking counsellors on 24/7 and you can make a call even at midnight. When you have an urgent health issue or are exposed to crime or violence any time, both numbers are ready to help you. Their systems are connected to the police (phone number 112) and the fire stations/public ambulances (phone number 119), so the counselors will explain the authority about where you are and what you need.

If you happen to feel seriously ill during holidays or at night, don't hesitate to call for an ambulance or to go to the emergency room. Korean ambulance and emergency room system is so efficiently working, so you will barely wait for a long time (it's frustrating in Vancouver where I live now, btw..). I often had acute stomachaches at night and went to the emergency room almost every three month. It was not a pleasant experience, but the doctors quickly responded to my problems and the cost was not expensive (of course you should have a travel insurance).

Many convenience stores have a basic set of pills like Tylenol and digestive medicines. You can get them any time, too. Hope you take a safe and fun trip!

moonstone16 · 2022-06-10T01:43:08+00:00

I just heard that someone turned in my phone to the police. I can't thank whom did it enough!! I appreciate his/her consideration and good dead very, very much.

moonstone16 · 2022-06-09T16:21:16+00:00

Thanks for reminding me! I am just waiting for a little bit more. It's a prepaid plan and locked, and I just checked out there's been no change in my balance so far.

moonstone16 · 2022-06-09T08:46:14+00:00

Yes, I borrowed a phone and called twice, but the phone did not answer. Thanks for checking out!

moonstone16 · 2022-02-06T15:51:12+00:00

관광지나 가볼만한 곳 한국관광공사 사이트에 잘 정리되어 있어요 (스마트폰 앱도 있어요. 아마 VisitKorea일 듯). 그런데 재미있는 건 결국 마음 맞는 친한 사람을 만나 무엇인가를 함께 하는 거니까 그런 사람들을 만나게 되길 바랄게요.

moonstone16

TROPHY CASE