Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ing replaced by sleek ultramodern condo developments in places. Ulsan's prosperity has
pushed property prices steadily upward to the point where they rival Seoul's, but as it's not
as crowded, buyers and renters tend to get more space for their money. Two-bedroom units
in newer developments in Nam-gu and Jung-gu rent for around 1 million won per month
with a 20 million won deposit; a unit of similar size in villas in the east or Ulsan University
district will go for around half that. Sizable apartments of 120 square meters and up in pop-
ular developments such as the Jung-gu Prugio cost 350 million won or more.
Culture
It is industry and not the arts that has always been Ulsan's forte, but the city isn't a cultural
desert. There are two cultural and art centers maintained by the city government and Hyun-
dai (of course) that regularly stage concerts and musicals and host foreign visual arts exhibi-
tions. The outskirts of the city are home to several important Confucian academies, temples,
and shrines, and the ancient Silla capital of Gyeongju is just 40 minutes or so away.
Daily Life
As in other cities, Ulsan City Hall and district offices have some bare-bones information
in print and online for new residents that covers things like renting a home and garbage
separation. The foreigners' compound runs occasional events and has some on-again, off-
again sporting groups, such as the Hash House Harriers and an expat football league, which
nonresidents are welcome to join—check at the clubhouse for the latest information. While
there's no English-language print media of note, the Ulsan Online website contains some
helpful mini-guides to the city and events listings. The old downtown (Seongnam-dong)
and Ulsan University districts house several pubs and restaurants regularly frequented by
foreign residents.
Health
Dongkang Medical Center in the city center and Ulsan University Hospital both have some
English-speaking staff and are well equipped to address most medical issues, although for-
eign nationals in need of more personal or long-term care tend to head down south to one
of the specialist international clinics in Busan.
Schools
The only international school of any note in Ulsan is the Hyundai Foreign School in the
Bangojin foreigners' compound, which currently offers a British-based curriculum for stu-
dents ages 2 to 14. Parents not associated with Hyundai are welcome to send their children
to the school provided they've spent an ample amount of time abroad. It's a fairly small
