Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sunnyvale]

What is the typical housing allowance offered by hogwons in Korea? I was offered 250 000, which seems kind of low. What do the rest of you get?

[MarionG]

By far the majority of hogwons offer a place to live, not an allowance. The mount you specified, or even double that, would be nuts in Seoul, but ample in smaller cities and towns.

However, it's far more difficult for a westerner to rent an apartment than for your hogwon (that is, a Korean) to do it.

[Isis]

it varies.

ive been offered as much as 550 and as low as, well, zero because "man should pay own home"

but generally speaking 250 will get you nothing in the city or the suburbs for that matter. plus you'll have to find a place that'll rent to you and you'll need to come up with key money.

most times you're better off taking the housing a job provides you rather than the housing allowance. but that's only if they are willing to provide housing

[Tony_Balony]

Hi

250 = low , 300 = norm , 300+ =

Get a place of your own ASAP for piece of mind. I have a 2 bedroom rooftop for 400 in HeaBanChong(Itaewon). The hard part is the key money and negotiating with Koreans outside of foreigner friendly places.

Good luck.

[Woden]

[Tony_Balony]

Sure,

edenrealty.co.kr

[sunnyvale]

I guess no matter what your housing allowance is, your school will almost certainly save money if you opt for the allowance. If they're offering me 250 000, then the apartments they offer must be pretty crap. It would be nearly impossible to find an apartment in Seoul for 250 000.

[Tony_Balony]

The provided apt may or may not be crap but it sure is not likely to be what you like or want. After that, they'll come over and tell you to clean your room, to not have bunnies or kitties and that you need to house the extra copier in your room and that the new teacher has to sleep on your floor for two weeks while they fix him or here up with a place.

Then, if they find out they can save W50,000 a month on rent by moving elsewhere , they'll tell you on Friday that you need to be packed and moved by Sunday.

[Tony_Balony]

The plan - take the allowance, stay at the goshi until you have key money. Shop until then so you know what a good deal is. I think you feel bad becuase the allowance is low. I'm sorry.

Good luck!

[timhorton]

250,000 won is too low to find and apartment anywhere...you can find many other jobs that provide an apartment or higher housing funds.

[OiGirl]

250,000 is sufficient while not luxurious in most university "back gate" neighborhoods.