Korean Job Discussion Forums

[IamBabo]

Hello All,

I was wondering if someone could compare both of them. I live in an officetel now and am going to move soon. I am not sure about an apartment, never lived in one here.

Did you find the officetel to be more convenient than an apartment? What are the advantages/disadvantages of an apartment? Parking is worse?(I have a car) What about your neighbors?

Any info would be helpful.

Thank you.

BABO

[genezorm]

officetel is good if you want to chill
apartment is good if you want to live around families
officetel is more cheaper. apartments is more expensiver

[PRagic]

They both suck in that you have to pay monthly 'management fees'. In general, unless it's at least 15 pyung, officitels are rotten boxes.

Apartments are bigger, but they cost a lot more, too. One upside of the officitel, however, is that they are usually pretty close to subway stops and not half way up a friggin mountain like some apartments (read: the apartments most foreigner teachers can afford).

You might want to look around for a floor of a house ('tantokjutaek'). Sometimes you can get a little yard or a second floor balcony. They are usually too old and/or run down for most Koreans with any money, so you can get some better deals on them. You could also get a one-room or a two-room in a building ('tasaedaejutaek'). Either way, you get more for your money with these options than you will from an apartment or an officitel AND you won't have to pay those insane monthly fees!