Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Mankind]

A friend wrote my yesterday and is coming here on Monday, for atleast a month. He asked me about cheap places to stay in Seoul. I'd prefer something in town, Itaewon area would be good. Anybody know of anywhere that still offers the above deal? Or anywhere comparable?

HAND

[Pyongshin Sangja]

Go to the Hangang Goshiwon. It is owned by Mrs. Jo at the Three Alleys Pub in Itaewon. Cheaper than that I think.

[Coffeecup]

Are these places actually safe, particularly as in not having your room broken into and stuff stolen? If one stays in these places (yogwan, etc) is it necessary to carry all things you really want with you when you go out? Or does there basically seem to be effective measures to prevent thefts (i.e. owners are very watchful all day long)?

And by the way, can someone please tell me the real meaning of "goshiwan"? Is it lower than yogwan? Why would one want to stay at a goshiwan rather than a yogwan?

[Son Deureo!]

Goshiwons are actually student yogwans. They've been around since the Joseon dynasty, actually. They were places for people to stay who were coming into Seoul to study for the civil service exams. They're still meant to be for students.

There is one in Itaewon with rooms for 10,000 a night called the Dream Goshiwon. It's above the Bald Eagle, which is near Gecko's and the Burger King. The sign is only in Korean (�帲 ���ÿ�)

I stayed there once, it was clean and very quiet. The rooms were tiny, but it was much better than any yogwan I've stayed in.

[Coffeecup]

Thanks...

Do you guys think that for the most part yogwans and the like are pretty safe as far as thefts, especially break-ins into the rooms? Are you confident that leaving one's items in a room is still mostly safe, or are break-ins quite possible? And, what measures usually deter crime there (as said above, watchful owners or neighbors nearby) or on the otherhand are rooms in goshi/yogwans usually open to target? I will most likely leave such things as my PC and somewhat related items while out in the day.

[jajdude]

Well I have stayed in yogwans quite a bit and never got ripped off. Keep the door locked.

[waterbaby]

Mankind... Lost Seoul posted a good list of cheap hotels for one month on the following thread...

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=4425

[Mankind]

Thanks for all the info guys. I passed it on to my friend.

HAND

[Coffeecup]

Is it REALLY ok to stay at a yogwan or a Goshiwan in ITAEWON??? I went there yesterday and was just a wee bit spooked out by the whole place. I mean with every verment walking the streets Itaewon would be the place someone would slip into a yogwan and steal something from a room, but more likely than that it seems like tenants would steal stuff from out of other's rooms.

Any thoughts on this????