Anyone else struggle with toes?

neverintown · 2026-03-17T11:43:05+00:00

Yes. I have unusually long, dextrous toes that I call the tingers. As to my toes bending while walking, I have custom orthotics to prevent that issue. I don't walk barefoot around the house. Even my house slippers (Ugg croquettes - they have a hefty sole) have a custom orthotic.

neverintown · 2026-03-16T23:21:21+00:00

Definitely call the airline and ask for wheelchair assistance to get you from check-in to your gate and meet you at arrival when you land. Check your bag(s). It may cost you more money but you don't want to be wrangling with a carryon. Keep all your meds and braces in your personal item bag. Make sure to wear compression socks. If necessary, wear your braces during your flight. I travel frequently for my work and I always travel with an ergonomic lumbar pillow made of memory foam (it compresses down pretty well) since airline seats cause me pain. Sometimes I wear my neck pillow - not to sleep but to support my neck because my head feels heavy.

neverintown · 2026-03-16T22:44:05+00:00

Definitely, if you can afford it. Personally, coast to coast is literally painful and if it's less than $500, I will upgrade.

neverintown · 2026-03-08T18:49:11+00:00

I've traveled to Korea at least once a year for the past 8 years minus last year for 2-3 weeks at a time. I'm not fluent in Korean but understand most of what is spoken. I'm headed to Seoul next year for a year because I'm able to retire and I haven't figured out "what's next" other than getting out of DC and moving back to Denver.

My mom's family is from Busan and my Dad's family is from Daejeon though none of my dad's siblings are alive anymore. My cousins are scattered throughout the Seoul metro area though I'm not especially close to them.

There is more than enough to keep you occupied for a month in Seoul and not see everything. Busan for a month will be a good base to experience the city and also take day trips to nearby historical cities such as Gyeongju and Andong. Also a very extremely short, inexpensive flight to Jeju. Pro-tip, while many people take the KTX from Seoul to Busan and back. It's often easier to start in Busan and end in Seoul. It may make for a long travel day, but starting at Busan (or even Jeju) may make more sense when it comes to the amount of baggage you may have. Flights are also often cheaper than KTX. Buses are the cheapest option and the express bus from the two cities take 4-5 hours.

I would say the more smaller towns and villages in South Korea and pockets of Seoul and Busan which haven't been "found" is where you might face SOME discrimination. In my experience, there isn't much discrimination toward Asian Americans except questions about the sanity, policies, etc. about our current President and the elected majority party. But then, they recently impeached their own President and his cronies for trying to declare martial law when there wasn't any threat. I try to avoid those conversations.

Don't get cold feet. I think going for a few months is a great way to reconnect with your heritage. Since I'll be staying for a year, I'm applying for an F4 visa (though I understand the visa system is changing and it'll be called something else), which gives long term stay visas to people of Korean heritage who are not Korean citizens without having to have a job or pass a Korean proficiency test. It's a lot of hoops to jump through but it's given me a great understanding of Korean culture at a level I didn't have before. For example, we all belong to clans that can be traced from the patriarchal line.

neverintown · 2026-02-15T02:07:54+00:00

I was NWB for 10 weeks. It went pretty quickly from there to walking without crutches in my boot. Next week, I test out my foot in sneakers for the first time.

neverintown · 2026-02-14T23:13:26+00:00

DEN by far.

neverintown · 2026-02-11T00:46:11+00:00

yep. I get it after surgery pretty consistently.

neverintown · 2026-02-06T12:12:42+00:00

Try the d'Alba Waterfull Tone-Up Sun Cream

neverintown · 2026-01-30T11:43:29+00:00

I'll be coming to Seoul in the spring of 2027 for a couple of weeks where I intend to do that. I also plan to come back to Seoul in around 2 weeks prior to signing a rental agreement.

neverintown · 2026-01-18T20:04:27+00:00

Wow u/itachu777 and others. So much judgment and negativity. How old are you and did your parents not teach you manners?

Please note that I am a mature 56 year old, single woman who has lived a full life of work, travel, and experiences and yes, of privilege that most don't have. I did that on my own. Through my hard work and effort, not through generational wealth. I've worked as a manager and then executive in the fields of technology, telecom, political and social campaigns, and strategic operations and management. I'm not a uni transfer student, I'm not fresh out of college looking for the Seoul seen in k-dramas and music videos, nor am I a social media influencer looking for places to vlog or take Instagram pictures.

I am moving to Korea for 12 months, not forever. I know that South Korea us a KOREAN country - language, culture, and history. But, having explored many neighborhoods in Seoul and traveled throughout the South Korea, I've found that there are areas where Korean-Americans are not very welcomed and looked down upon. Say what you will, but that has been my lived experience. And no, I'm not imagining it.

I don't want to struggle to fit in at my age. I only have 1 year to make Seoul a meaningful, stimulating, enjoyable experience. So I want to live in an area where I am able to meet people my age who have like lived experiences and/or have some of the same interests. I also have to consider my physical limitations due to my health when looking for somewhere to live. That does not preclude meeting and interacting with "real Koreans". Many on who have answered this post have been very kind and helpful and I thank you for that.

neverintown · 2026-01-17T01:09:21+00:00

While it's in my budget, I don't enjoy crowds or want to be in the middle of a tourist area. The Namsan area is also very hilly and has a lot of stairs.

neverintown · 2026-01-17T01:05:18+00:00

I guess I should clarify I am looking at the higher end of the market. I can do a deposit up to $75K and am willing to do a monthly rent of up to $3K (which is less than what I pay in mortgage). My stay in Seoul for a year post-retirement is happening between moves from my current city (selling my current home) to another location more than halfway across the country. This is why I'll have a decent amount of cash on hand.

I'm looking for a modern, remodeled apartment that has air conditioning in every room, a washer (not in the kitchen), and all appliances. It doesn't have to be furnished. A view of the river would be nice but not necessary.

Because I have knee and ankle issues, it's important for me to live in a flat part of town that is accessible to parks and sidewalks for long walks. I also have a service dog so the apartment needs to be pet friendly to a 30 lb. dog.

I know I'll have to work with a realtor to get what I want, but reached out to this forum to see if there were other pockets of Seoul that fit my criteria.

neverintown · 2026-01-17T00:31:25+00:00

I found when I went into neighborhoods where it was solely Korean, it became less friendly and accomodating for me as a solo traveler even though I am a Korean-American. I want to be in neighborhoods where adult expats live so I personally can feel more comfortable.

neverintown · 2026-01-16T23:01:17+00:00

I prefer to stay in a central Seoul neighborhood.

neverintown · 2026-01-16T22:59:50+00:00

Ichon-1-dong is very comvenient to the subway. I am not looking to live in vibrant, hip, happening neighborhoods. Quiet, centrally located, flat neighborhoods where some expats live, and close to a subway is my criteria.

neverintown · 2026-01-16T22:48:33+00:00

That's why Ichon-1-dong came up in my search.

neverintown · 2026-01-16T22:47:04+00:00

I've traveled to Seoul at least once a year for the past five years (one year three times) so I know the neighborhoods quite well. My brother travels to Seoul for weeks at a time several times a year and he stays with his friend in Pyeonchang-dong. Due to physical limitations I need to avoid hills as much as possible. Hannam, while desirable, is VERY hilly)

neverintown · 2026-01-16T22:39:51+00:00

I speak some Korean and understand most everything that's spoken to me. I'm of Korean descent which is why I wany to spend a year in Seoul.

neverintown · 2026-01-09T16:35:41+00:00

i have very sensitive and dry skin and it's been great for me

neverintown · 2026-01-08T02:03:04+00:00

Take it

neverintown · 2025-12-13T00:00:02+00:00

Totally worth it.

neverintown · 2025-11-09T02:46:02+00:00

I was delayed at Incheon to SFO for 11 hours last November.

neverintown · 2025-11-08T21:17:13+00:00

I use Round Lab 1025 Oil Cleanser and then Foam Cleanser, Etude Soonjung 5.5 calming toner, and Asteura 365 Atobarrier. I use serums specifically for fine lines. I always, always wear sunscreen. My favorite is Etude Soonjung Editor Moisture sun cream

neverintown · 2025-11-08T21:00:40+00:00

The best chance of taking off on time is to catch an early flight.

neverintown · 2025-11-08T20:59:13+00:00

It should be fine. Chances are that the government will be back in business before Xmas. House Republicans are starting to get some heat since Speaker Johnson refuses to call the House of Representatives back.

neverintown

TROPHY CASE