Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Morton]

I'm looking for an apartment near Hondae or Sinchon station. I do not have much key money but can pay up to 700,000 a month.

Any help would be appreciated. I have tried real estate offices but they need more key money than i can afford.

[PRagic]

That'll get you a small one room. Check around the 'parking lot street' real estate agencies. You might want to check down near Sangsu stantion as well.

Not a cheap hood. To get more for your money, especially with low rent and no/low key money, you'd be better off in Itaewon.

Good luck. Apartment hunting can be depressing here.

[Morton]

Thanks for the help Pragic.

Where abouts is the 'parking lot street' real estate agents?

[PRagic]

The 'parking street' runs from across the street from Starbucks on the road that goes up to Hongdae main gate, all the way to Sangsu Station area.

Just go left out of Hongdae main gate, walk past the park, and take a left at the big pojangmacha (at the T intersection). Go up a bit to the 'Buy the Way' minimart, and there you are. You'll see a load of cars parked all through the middle of the street running both ways.

[Morton]

Maybe Hapjeong would be a bit cheaper. Do you know any areas on line 2 that are better value? I will be working in Daerim.

[huck]

For 700,000 won/month, you could get a nice, 2-bedroom, living-room, bathroom w/bathtub apartment in Itaewon/Haebongcheon, which is only 20 minutes away from Hongdae...

I know most people think living in Haebongcheon is scummy, but their apartments and prices to cater towards foreigners.

[Morton]

Thats a pretty good deal but i'm looking for something on line two so i can get to Daerim station pretty easily. I don't fancy having to transfer trains everyday, especially when it's crowded.

Thanks for all the advice though, it gives me food for thought.

[PRagic]

Then your best bet is probably around Ewha University Station. There are a lot of smaller, older units around there within walking distance to the subway station. Go out exit 7 and go up toward Sogang's back gate. Head up to where there is a big electronics store (Samsung?). It used to be a movie theater.

For 700 a month or cheaper and maybe 5 million down, you can pick up a livable two bedroom place in that neighborhood. Most of the places are older, and you'd probably be on the second floor of a house (private entrance), but the upside is that you might get a decent balcony.

Good luck. That would put you on line two. Hapjong is as expensive as Hongdae and Shinchon, but there are some older, cheaper places around there, especially if you are paying monthly rent. I'd suggest going out exit 7 at Hapjong St. and heading down the street. There are real estate agencies on both sides of the street that you could hit up for some input.

Cheers, and good luck. Great neighborhood to be in.

[ntwrightsmom]

When do you need to move in? I have a place that's right near Sinchon station: 550,000/5 mil key money. But I'm not looking to move out until the end of February.

[Morton]

I need to move in early January. I don't have that much key money either which is proving to be my real limiting factor.

[PRagic]

If you go across the street from Shinchon Station toward Sogang, that's in the area near Ewha Station that I was talking about (opposite side, though). Go to the real estate places and tell them what you have. You might be able to find something for 650-700/month with as little as a couple of million down for key money. Never know till you try!

Finding a place here means footwork. One agent might have nothing, whereas the place right next to them will have a few listings. It's hit or miss, in my experience.

[Streetdogger]

Hey, I'm considering living in Sinchon beginning at the end of February. Where exactly is your apt?