Kickin’ it in Incheon, South Korea

Dear friends/family who have never been to Incheon or reveled in my awesome digs:

When I first found out I would be living in Incheon, I immediately went online to do some research. My first impressions weren’t the greatest – I was less than impressed. Everyone in forums said that it doesn’t have much to offer expats and that it is a city living in the shadow of Seoul but that takes credit for being home to Korea’s main International airport. I was scared into thinking it was just an industrial concrete city with no charm and nothing to do. Most expats said that if you aren’t living in Bupyeong or Arts Centre, that you will hate living here. Little did I know at the time, but I ended up scoring a place in Bupyeong – and a loft at that (Living in a loft? Check! That was always something on my unwritten bucket list!) Here are a few pics of where I’m living that I took in September...

The outdoor terrace on the 4th floor

My desk/table by the window

My little kitchen / 
My washer under the stove

My fridge/freezer have 
whiteboards on them!

The view from up in my loft 
(when I first arrived in Korea)

Up in my loft!!

I found this big guy chilling on the bench 
outside my building (Feb. 2013) <3

Despite some of the smells (just like any industrial city), being a concrete jungle (but so is most of Seoul and most other cities...) and not having the awesome attractions that the capital has, I can honestly say that I love living here. Even expat friends I talk to who are not living in Bup or Arts Centre say they like living here. So, I have compiled a list of why Incheon is actually a pretty great place. To any expat worried about working and living in Incheon (or really anywhere in Korea) – here’s what I say to you: Make your own opinions and don’t be scared off by what expats say – everyone has their own experiences and one person’s experience can differ so much from the next person’s. Here’s some of the things that I love about living in Incheon, Korea <3

Ø  It’s close to the sea (and a great fish market at Dongincheon!)

Ø  It’s close to Seoul (AKA New York on Steroids) – it takes me 30-45 minutes to get there from Bupyeong (and some more remote parts of Incheon take even less time!)

Ø  Incheon has a subway system, which helps avoid always having to bus it. And it connects with Seoul’s subway!

Ø  Arts Centre has a really good mall, including an H&M and other stores I like to go to back in Canada

Ø  Bupyeong has some great little western expat bars where we all gather – Shelter, Cheap Shots and Woodstock, to name a few!

Ø  Incheon has a TON of great islands to explore and beaches to visit

Ø  It’s right by the airport, which is great for coming and leaving as well as for those winter and summer vacations when loads of GETs travel to neighbouring Asian countries!

Ø  Incheon is home to Songdo, the “City of Tomorrow”, which is a futuristic, modern technology-hub on the coast

Ø  Incheon is home to IMOE, the Incheon Ministry of Education. With EPIC, you may make a lot of friends from all over Korea at the orientation, but with IMOE, it’s easier to make friends because it’s a smaller group (85 ish) and you know everyone will be close to you because everyone there is a teacher in Incheon.

Ø  Incheon has Korea’s only Chinatown

Ø  Bupyeong has the largest underground shopping centre in Korea (!!) where you can spend hours shopping for cheap but fun things

Ø  The nightlife in Bup and Arts Centre (which are quite central in Incheon) as well as some other parts of Incheon are quite good! Sure, they don’t compare to Seoul, but it’s still better than my hometown back in Canada :p

Ø  You can find international food in Incheon. Once again, it’s not as much as in Seoul, but the options are still there and are better than in other Korean cities! I’ve had Indian, Italian (at 3 places), Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Middle Eastern, “American” fast-foods, etc. in Incheon so far.

Ø  There are awesome people here – I’ve made amazing friends from around the world – lots of Koreans as well as other foreign English teachers!

Ø  There are many festivals that go on in Incheon. I’ve been to a couple- a cultural festival and a traditional Korean music festival. And it’s easy access to the many festivals in Seoul and surrounding cities!

Ø  It’s not over-run with other westerners/foreigners (waygooks) like it is in parts of Seoul. Hence, more of an authentic Korean cultural experience.

Ø  Incheon has a couple locations for doing cultural/conversation exchanges with Koreans

Ø  There are lots of mountains to the north and east that are great for hiking.

Ø  You can find green space gems here and there in the different neighbourhoods. They’ve got large parks with sports facilities, walking paths, fields and greenery. It’s an advantage of being in a city that isn’t too big and overcrowded.

My list ended up being longer than I originally expected! I can't believe I've been here over 5 months already <3 I hope the next 7 months are just as amazing!

Signing off,

~Leana