Moving to Seoul!

[kalogrias]

Any experiences or advice? I've never been there...

[KristyK]

I've never been there, but my DH's son is stationed there. He hates it. He says it's filthy, and stinks to high heaven, and he can't wait for this year to be out of there. Sorry about the downer, but thats exactly what he told us, and we thought about going to visit him there, and he doesn't even want us too, thats how bad he hates it.

Good luck!

[pride&prejudice]

I went to South Korea for awhile, my college roommate was from there. I personally loved it, definitely a culture shock when I first set foot there. :D I spent a portion in Seoul, a portion Mokpo (sp?), but most of it in Deajon (sp?).

Just be careful when you use the bathrooms. That was my culture shock, when I walked into the public ones, and they had no doors and was a hole in the ground. :) Let me know, or PM me, something that you might want to know about, I have so many stories, to many to write down now. I'll see if I can scan in some pictures too.

[TracieB]

My husband lived in Chinhae for a year and when I came to visit, we went up to Seoul for the weekend. We are lucky in that we had access to the military hotel, so we stayed there and also a fancier place one night.

I don't recall it being stinky, although it most definitely was a culture shock. The traffic was the most horrendous I have ever seen. Once we got into the city, we literally did not move for 2 hours. It was insane.

We shopped at Itawan (E-tay-won) and had a really good time with that.

My husband really misses bib bim bop (??) and other Korean food.

Honestly, after visiting, I told him that I don't think I could live there. It's just way too far out of my comfort zone. That's just me though... little girl from Indiana. You could absolutely LOVE it! Good luck!

[kalogrias]

Thank you for the responses, ladies!

Pride&Prejudice -- I'll definitely PM you...I'd love to hear stories...

TracieB -- I was actually going to PM you because, if I recall, you moved to Guam with your DH soon after your wedding, right? I had some questions about moving that far from home and how you both worked it out...I've never been that far away from my mother -- I mean, I live on the opposite coast now, and I lived in England for a year, but not 15000 miles away!

KristyK -- I hope we have a more positive experience than your Stepson.

[AirForceLove]

My husband lived in Chinhae for a year and when I came to visit, we went up to Seoul for the weekend. We are lucky in that we had access to the military hotel, so we stayed there and also a fancier place one night.

I don't recall it being stinky, although it most definitely was a culture shock. The traffic was the most horrendous I have ever seen. Once we got into the city, we literally did not move for 2 hours. It was insane.

We shopped at Itawan (E-tay-won) and had a really good time with that.

My husband really misses bib bim bop (??) and other Korean food.

Are talking about the Dragon Lodge? I stayed there when I was stationed down at Osan Air Base (South of Seoul). I also miss the Korean food.
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Seoul is a great place. The shopping that TracieB mention about in Itawan is wonderful. Shops take WON (Korean currency) or American Dollars. Just becareful, some of the shop owners know what the currency exchange is (it changes almost daily) and will try to make you pay the higher of the two.

Right by the Army Base, there is a war memorial museum dedicated to the Korean war. That was one of greatest museums that I have ever been to.

Not to far North of Seoul is the DMZ. If you love any kind of history I would go visit that place. You learn all about the Korean War and the history between North and South Korea.

Driving in Seoul can be a hassle, so we always too the subway, quite the adventure, or took a cab. The subways are very reliable. Rush our is a *itch though.

If you like dinning out. There are western resteraunts there. I went to The Outback, TGI Fridays, Bennigans, and McDonalds while I was there. I know there is more but I can't think of them. Just be aware that the resteraunts are about $10.00 more expensive there than in the states. Try the local food though. It is very good.

Since the airport is there you can get direct flights pretty easy.

Korea will always have a special place in my heart because that is where I met my husband. I really miss Korea and wish we could go back.

I know there is more, but I can't think of any. PM me if there is anything else you what to know!:) :) :)

[southerner]

you're moving? Y'all decided? Must stop by and catch up.

[TracieB]

Are talking about the Dragon Lodge?

Yep! The Dragon Hill Lodge. That place was really nice!

Oh, you DEFINITELY have to do the DMZ tour sometime while you're there. It's really, really interesting. Although, we were there when the N. Korean military were moving their heavy artillerary around :eek: !!

There's also a Hard Rock Cafe in Seoul where you can get some "American" style food (albeit, it's kinda different than what you would get in the US).