Korean Job Discussion Forums

Hyeon Een · Joined: 24 Jun 2005

I'm curious for those of you who take a housing allowance, is it worth it? And how much do you get (if that isn't too personal a question)?

The reason I'm curious is because it's obviously better to have your own place instead of your boss owning where you live. But at the same time most of the job offers I see here seem to offer about $250-$350 for a housing allowance if you don't take their free housing. This money seems really, really low. You can't get a house for that rent in Seoul unless you've put several tens of millions down in key money.

Personally, I'm lucky. My work-place gives me $500 housing which seems to be way above anything I ever see advertised on here. However even at that rate I can only afford to live because I live in pretty much the cheapest area in Seoul.

So if you've taken the housing money option, how much do you get?And if you haven't, how much would they offer you if you did?

xCustomx · Joined: 06 Jan 2006

I get the standard 300,000/month from GEPIK. If I do re-sign I'll try to negotiate an increase, since SMOE offers 500,000

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

at three different universities I've had different housing allowances.

first uni - 300,000
second uni - 400,000
current uni 200,000

current school is crappy on the housing allowance but overall better than the other two. Housing allowance should be higher everywhere, but even at the low rate that it currently is, it is 100% worth it to live seperately from company housing.