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Seoul
Posted by Renddy Rose Rodriguez
on
3/17/2009 02:19:00 AM
Moving out
After decades of continuous growth, the population Seoul is now on a continual decline. With a population of only 1.5 million people in 1955, by 1989 the population had grown to more than 10 million. That number represented approximately one-fourth of the total population of Korea.
However, beginning in the early 1990’s Seoul residents, frustrated with the hassles of living in the overcrowded capital, began to move out. Where is everybody going? Most of them are moving to the suburbs where the air is slightly cleaner, there is less traffic, and where housing is more affordable. Many people who live in Seoul complain about the decline in the quality of life there. Air quality is worse than ever, apartment prices are unreal, and the steady increase in the number of cars on the roads now has traffic at a crawl much of the time.
Reasons for the move are as follows:
“Seoul is too expensive.” The cost of everything from apartment rental fees to the price of a cup of coffee are higher in Seoul than in the suburbs. An old 25-pyeong apartment in Seoul can cost more to buy or rent than a brand new 43-pyeong apartment in the suburbs. Seoul has been designated as one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in.
“Shopping facilities are better.” Another reason for the popularity of the satellites towns are the better shopping facilities there. Space is not at a premium as it is in the cities, so sprawling discount stores have been built. The stores in the city are usually much more congested and cover less land area, so most people find shopping in the suburbs stores more convenient.
The only reason given for wanting to remain in Seoul are the better educational opportunities there. Most Koreans feel Seoul’s school are the finest the country has to offer.
Questions:
1. Which of these statements best describes the way you feel about Seoul? Tell why you think so.
o Seoul is a wonderful city and a good place to live and work.
o Seoul is too big and crowded, and too noisy.
2. Most Koreans who move to Seoul from other parts of the country say it is hard to make new friends in Seoul. Is Seoul an unfriendly place to out-of-towners? If so, why?
3. Where would you rather live—in Seoul or in one of the “new cities” around Seoul, such as Bundang or Ilsan? Why?
4. Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Tell why you think so?
a. All the best jobs in Korea are in seoul.
b. The schools in Seoul are better than anywhere else in the country.
c. The quality of life in Seoul is worse than anywhere else in the country.
5. The idea of moving the capital (government) out of Seoul has often been discussed. If the government were moved out of Seoul, where would be the best place to move it? Give the advantages and disadvantages of each of the following locations.
o Deajon
o Busan
o Daegu
o Gyeongju
o Incheon
6. The only reason some people want to live in Seoul is to send their children to Seoul schools. Are schools in Seoul really much better than in other places?
After decades of continuous growth, the population Seoul is now on a continual decline. With a population of only 1.5 million people in 1955, by 1989 the population had grown to more than 10 million. That number represented approximately one-fourth of the total population of Korea.
However, beginning in the early 1990’s Seoul residents, frustrated with the hassles of living in the overcrowded capital, began to move out. Where is everybody going? Most of them are moving to the suburbs where the air is slightly cleaner, there is less traffic, and where housing is more affordable. Many people who live in Seoul complain about the decline in the quality of life there. Air quality is worse than ever, apartment prices are unreal, and the steady increase in the number of cars on the roads now has traffic at a crawl much of the time.
Reasons for the move are as follows:
“Seoul is too expensive.” The cost of everything from apartment rental fees to the price of a cup of coffee are higher in Seoul than in the suburbs. An old 25-pyeong apartment in Seoul can cost more to buy or rent than a brand new 43-pyeong apartment in the suburbs. Seoul has been designated as one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in.
“Shopping facilities are better.” Another reason for the popularity of the satellites towns are the better shopping facilities there. Space is not at a premium as it is in the cities, so sprawling discount stores have been built. The stores in the city are usually much more congested and cover less land area, so most people find shopping in the suburbs stores more convenient.
The only reason given for wanting to remain in Seoul are the better educational opportunities there. Most Koreans feel Seoul’s school are the finest the country has to offer.
Questions:
1. Which of these statements best describes the way you feel about Seoul? Tell why you think so.
o Seoul is a wonderful city and a good place to live and work.
o Seoul is too big and crowded, and too noisy.
2. Most Koreans who move to Seoul from other parts of the country say it is hard to make new friends in Seoul. Is Seoul an unfriendly place to out-of-towners? If so, why?
3. Where would you rather live—in Seoul or in one of the “new cities” around Seoul, such as Bundang or Ilsan? Why?
4. Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Tell why you think so?
a. All the best jobs in Korea are in seoul.
b. The schools in Seoul are better than anywhere else in the country.
c. The quality of life in Seoul is worse than anywhere else in the country.
5. The idea of moving the capital (government) out of Seoul has often been discussed. If the government were moved out of Seoul, where would be the best place to move it? Give the advantages and disadvantages of each of the following locations.
o Deajon
o Busan
o Daegu
o Gyeongju
o Incheon
6. The only reason some people want to live in Seoul is to send their children to Seoul schools. Are schools in Seoul really much better than in other places?
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