Reflections on a year in Samcheonpo

So I have finished my contract, and will be going back to the states soon. I am going to take the beginner TOPIK Korean test before I go. I figure all the time and money I spent should be acknowledged with an official piece of paper. These days I'm not working, just relaxing and resting. So how was the year here? I suppose I'll separate it into the pros and cons. First, the pros, and then the cons.

Pros

• Samcheonpo has a beach. I grew up on an island, so it's not a huge deal to me. But it is quite fun to go there on a summers day and just relax. Drink a few beers, chill with friends, or read a book. There's even a zip line there!
• You can get to most major cities in Korea from here by bus directly. I can't tell you how convenient this is. Sure, Seoul is a ways away. But it's so nice to be able to go there non stop! 
• Things here are generally a little cheaper than big cities. Food, clothes, books, etc.
• Sometimes you get free service, just for being a foreigner. There aren't many (English speaking) foreigners around, so people are still happy to see us, haha. I've gotten free snacks, fruit, and even drinks from places.
• There is fresh seafood here. If you like raw fish, there is a great sushi restaurant. Or you can eat Hwae, Korean style raw fish at one of the restaurants near the fish market.
• Samcheonpo is a pretty authentic place. If you're looking to have a "real" Korean experience, this is a place to go.
• Theres a lot of outdoor stuff to do. Hiking, water sports, kayaking, fishing it's all here.
• You can get anywhere in town via taxi. It's pretty cheap, the most expensive trip won't be more than 5,000 won.

Now, the cons

• Samcheonpo is a small city. There aren't a lot of people here. And to be honest, some of the people that choose to work here are strange and anti social in my opinion. I've only really met 2 English people here that I consider to be my friends.
• Theres no movie theatre. I love going to the movies, and I have to go to Jinju just to see a movie. In general it's just kind of a boring place, theres not even a place to go dancing.
• The food here is just Korean food. There is a pasta place, a Lotteria, and pizza. But good luck getting a decent hamburger or something even more exotic (like a taco). I do quite enjoy Korean food. Just not every day of the month!
• It's hard to meet people here. Like I said, people are kind of cliquish  and anti social in my opinion. I even have trouble meeting Korean people here, simply because most people here are primary school students or grandmothers.
• People here are country, and can sometimes be rude and abrasive. I suppose this statement is true anywhere. But even the people I've met in Jinju (let alone Seoul or Busan) are far more sophisticated and polite. 
• Not a lot of places here to eat by yourself. Korean eating culture is very social. Many restaurants simply don't serve a single portion of food for one person.

So, with all these pros and cons, would I have done this knowing what I know now? It's hard to say. I know people that have spent 2, 3, or more years here and loved it. It's just not for me. I'm in my 20's; I'm looking to have a social life! But I believe all experiences teach you something. For instance, if I had lived in a big city I would never have learned Korean. So ultimately, it's a matter of what you want. If you're looking to have a good time and meet a lot of people, you might want to look elsewhere. But if you're looking to do a lot of outdoor stuff, spend some alone time, and live a relatively quiet life, this is certainly the place.