We decided that located in nearby Yeonsu, Incheon will allow us to relive the glory days of my foreign currency times in Hong Kong, partying in a multicultural bubble with an ideal balances of East satisfies West. The thing I performednt understand at that time usually depending on your geographical area, youre in no way right outside Seoul, although it may seem like it really is on a map. If youre caught in Yeonsu like I became (the much conclusion of Incheon) without a car, it can take more than two hours to obtain indeed there.

Thus after six months, manage we feel dissapointed about having made the relocate to Incheon?

Compliment of my range from Seoul, I avoided the sleep-eat-drink-repeat traditions that described element of my personal 20s, pushing me to deal with real difficulties and social immersion.

Showing throughout the finally half a year, here are a few of my primary takeaways from an urban area we today contact residence.

On Acquiring Buddies

Though Ive long been a personal butterfly, making friends within this neck in the forests (except for several people from other countries) might slightly harder considering my minimal Korean code abilities (kindly eliminate this blunder if you intend on going here, or perhaps find out the alphabet). Consequently, Ive have a finite range of buddies available, due to the fact people from other countries here are an ultra minority versus Seoul. English speaking ladies are an even greater fraction during my neighborhood, meaning most of the individuals You will find satisfied include boys & most with the same intentions given that eternal bachelors lower:

There only have come once or twice where i’vent moved into a nearby expat pub without being told through a gross, elderly partnered guy that I should get home with your experiencing a real cock (kinda agree with you indeed there, dickhead), bring drunkenly slobbered over by males which arent contemplating learning or recalling my personal label, or bring people reason that i ought to sleep together because life try short.

All of that stated, Ive came across some amazing anyone right here both Koreans and non-Koreans alike. Some, like my co-worker Elizabeth Alessandro, I wouldnt trade for one hundred sipping friends in Seoul whether or not i must withstand several expat fvckbois along side ways.

On Interacting

Chances are, Ive gotten the Korean alphabet nearly straight down, i understand the survival words and phrases, and I also can lead a cabbie entirely in Korean but my life is infinitely smoother easily didnt need certainly to depend on my employers/ co-worker/ pals to convert things for me personally more often than not. My friends in Seoul have actually received by for many years without speaking much Korean, but beyond Seoul, its a much bigger obstacle (truly thus; the whole world does not owe all of us solution in English). Recently, it required almost 2 days purchasing a ticket to Guam because journey site got totally in Korean, and I very nearly gave up as a result. Become wiser and more culturally smart than myself. Discover some Korean before you show up.

On Transport

Buses

If youre looking for inexpensive transportation and a cheap excitement, drive a nearby shuttle. Almost all bus drivers believe in braking suddenly, using up purple lighting and shutting gates on someone. Ole!

Taxis

Taxis tend to be extremely inexpensive for regional visits, therefore half the full time my personal co-worker grab a cab homes rather than the death coach from hell. Many cabbies are often pretty nice; some will even make an effort to training their unique English to you and teach you some Korean on the way. Good times all around.

Korail/ KTX

Apart from some vehicles or a pricey cab experience, the train will be your go-to to get to Seoul as well as its related areas. This app helps it be infinitely easy to browse yourself around town.

Planes

If youre wanting to get out-of-town, Incheon International Airport and Gimpo arent too far aside. Take a look at Skyscanners Flexible substitute for have a look at least expensive routes at any moment.

In the Bar Scene

Heres a reasonably exhaustive selection of the most popular non-native friendly taverns around Incheon:

A rather big club in the Songdo place operate by an English-speaking Korean guy. They usually have unexpected available mic evenings, and therefore are truly the only bar I know of in Incheon that provide veggie hamburgers.