Expat Tales: Trading Pukekohe for Seoul, South Korea

 Stuff_Last updated 05:00, January 22 2017

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Tim Clauson moved to Seoul and loves life in a city that's buzzing 24/7.

<Most people in the city live in multistory buildings. Here is the view from my place, which has a narrow park that traverses the city.>

What is your full name and where are you from? Tim Clauson from Pukekohe.

What inspired your move, and how long have you been there? Initially it was just an opportunity to work and travel for a year. Now I'm going on four years.

What do you do there? I teach English at the British Council, a branch of the UK government. In my spare time, I study Korean.

What are the greatest advantages to living there?  Korea is a 24/7 country. For that reason, everything is very convenient and often right on your doorstep. Compared to the New Zealand, the cost of living is a little bit cheaper; a ride across Seoul on one of the 16 subway lines will cost you little more than a dollar. Once you get off, it is possible to transfer to a bus for a substantial discount on the same fare.

<There are many historical sites and attractions to visit in Seoul.>

Disadvantages?  The population density is much higher than that of New Zealand, and so it takes some time to get used to having less green space and more people around you all the time.

How expensive is it compared to New Zealand? How much is a beer?  Locally produced beer can be much cheaper when compared with New Zealand. Most convenience stores (24/7) sell 4 large cans of beer for about $10. Imported beer can be a little more expensive, though.What do you do in your spare time? I like to ride my bicycle alongside the Han river along it's network of bicycle paths.

What's the local delicacy and would you recommend eating it? There are so many options to choose from, depending on which area you visit. Like live octopus, for example. Try anything once, live to tell the tale!

Easiest way to get around? Subway/bus/taxi integrated via traffic card system. For longer journeys, express buses departing every 5-15 minutes to all corners of Korea.

What's the shopping like? A+. Shop until you drop at traditional markets or high-end malls and anything in between.

Best after-dark activity? During the summer, dine or drink outside.

Best time of year to visit? September-October. Avoid the summer head and humidity, but enjoy the warmth before winter sets in.

What are the top three things you recommend for visitors?

1) Check out the DMZ, the border line shared between North and South Korea. Truly unique.

2) Fly into Seoul, take a train or bus down to Busan, the second largest and coastal city in the south.

3) Take a day trip and hike one of the many mountains surrounding the cities.

Besides family and friends, what do you miss most about home?  The food.

How easy is it for you to get back to NZ?  Very easy. I live near numerous subway lines which take me to Incheon airport. From there, it's a direct 11-or-so hour flight to Auckland.

For Kiwis looking to move there, which industries are seeking fresh talent? Teaching English is always attracting new people. Engineers, business people, and diplomats can also be found in good numbers.

If you know an expat who wants to share inside knowledge of their home away from home, email escape@star-times.co.nz with Expat in the subject line.