Korean Job Discussion Forums

[merkurix]

Can anyone recommend some useful websites (budongsan) for finding affordable apartments in Seoul. I have accepted a job in Seoul for next year and I am going to have to find an apartment for next year. I've scoured this forum for useful apartment rental websites in English and I couldn't find any (I remember a few months back someone posted a link to an awesome site. It was in English; I've tried to search for it, but I couldn't find it. The search function here kinda blows). No sticky (surprisingly) exists for this type of thing yet, and there is very little useful information in the FAQs section. If anyone has any useful information, I'd really appreciate it.

BTW: Before someone goes on to say "Google is my friend" I've tried that and it just comes back with the most ridiculously expensive apartments in the Seoul area (3 mil + a month). Thanks again.

[gmat]

http://nearsubway.com/

[merkurix]

[gmat]

You are welcome merk, a lot of apartments are not listed on this site but it gives you a good idea of what is available in certain areas.

I would still visit a local budongsan in an area where you want to live.

[maximreality]

[PRagic]

I wouldn't recommend taking on an apartment from a website ever, no matter where.

In general, the sites here either 1) advertise remarkable places that they don't have access to in order to get your interest, and/or 2) list prices that are well above what you would pay by simply going to a neighborhood and walking around from agent to agent.

Ok, plus, there is no use looking at places here, especially in the rent ball-park you're interesting in, until you can move in within a few weeks to a month or so.

If you are single, just come on over and crash in a yogwon until you find a place you like and that is within your budget. You have a job, which is half the battle.

Have a great time here. Cheers.

[Okibum]

I found my apartment at Nicerent.com

[anyangoldboy]

The only thing I found with nearsubway is that the majority of apartments weren't availible most of the time...the apartments go quickly on that site.

[merkurix]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I took a look at nicerent.com, and the rentals there seem a bit steep. I will try what PRagic and gmat recommended and I will just scout the neighborhood for tiny budongsan offices very soon. The nearsubway site was indeed useful in giving a general idea of what asking prices are in particular areas. Unfortunately, I'm not looking for a one-room, as my new wife and I are more interested in acquiring something a bit larger. If there are more websites out there, let me know. Thanks again all.

[Morton]

I'm in a similar situation to yourself and i found english spectrum and the buy/sell forum of this site helpful.
I was told that you need a minimum of 5 million key money to get anywhere half decent. That was for a one person apartment.
My plan is to share an apartment in Itaewon for a couple of months, save up my money, then move onto a nice little pad of my own.

Good luck with your new job.

[PINI]

www.edenrealty.co.kr

Go and see Arthur. He does a good job a has quite a few listings in the Itaewon/Haebangchon area (Yongsan Gu).

There is also a girl named Mandy Kim who helps out foreigners with rentals in this area. Look for her posts here: http://www.englishspectrum.com/board_.php?gid=ACC

[Hyeon Een]

[mountainous]

the same kind of bait and switch fraud is used in the housing market as in the employment market....oh here's a great place in Itaewon for 300K, no key money, lol

[NicRenee]

The listings on nearsubway.com haven't been updated in over a year. Some might be available, but I wouldn't count on it.

[merkurix]

That Eden Realty link also has some useful information, thanks!

^and also thanks for the heads up on the lack of updates on some of those listings.