Korean Job Discussion Forums

Frankly Mr Shankly · Joined: 13 Feb 2008

Has anyone got the lowdown on temporary accom in this area? A friend of mine is going to study there and wants to find something cheap, so I recommended this area. Thanks in advance.

PBRstreetgang21 · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 12:00 am Post subject:

Im living in a Goshiwon in Anamdong right now (not terribly far from Dongdaemun, I can see it from Korea U campus). In any event your friend's best bet is just go over to the area he wants to be and look for any sign that says 고시원 they are roughly same everywhere you go (you can only strip down living accomodations so much). What I have found is that they are usually 200 a month for a room with a window, and 180 for one with out (trust me its worth the extra 20). You get a space the size of a western style walk in closet. I mean damn small. There is a bed that is slightly smaller than a twin bed, and a desk, and a small chair. Thats what you get. Sometime a tiny TV. A communal kitchen area and one or two showers that are shared (not communal but one room that you take turns in). Its not the best accomodation but if you dont mind zero space, and lots of noise (the walls are ridiculous thin) its a great money saver.

Frankly Mr Shankly · Joined: 13 Feb 2008

Thanks a lot for that. What do you do about food. Eat out I assume?

PBRstreetgang21 · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 12:40 am Post subject:

Yeah I eat out all my meals.

By and large the communal fridge and cooking area isnt unsanitary in KOREAN eyes, but its not passing a health inspector in states anytime soon. One look at the monster under the kimchi that was growing in my fridge and I figured KimBap Heaven is a students best friend. With Korean food being as cheap as it is its a not a problem, I just limit my intake of the more expensive foods. Although one of my Korean friend's lives in walking distance and he invites me over quiet regularly for some home cooked grub every now and then.

Also depending where your friend is there can be a lot of cheap options for food. Since I live in an almost strictly university area (1 min from the school) there are LOTS of cheap yet good options (2500won samgyupsal, 1000won sundae, even Indian for cheap) Also if he is going to a University (or even near one since you dont need a Uni ID) the school cafeteria, while not winning any awards, is VERY cheap. Mine you can get a special of the day (say Haejangkuk for instance) with five banchan and a bowl of rice, less than 3 bucks. Certainly not delicious but good on a budget. Location is key.

If you friend going to a University? If so how long, because its for say 6 months or more he may want to look into a Hasuk (하숙)

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

My friend stayed in one in Hyehwa (one station north of Dongdaemun). It is not in plain view. Do you know the street that runs to Sungkyunkwan University? There is a back alley street that is East of and runs parallel to SKK street. There is a goshiwon there and since it is near SKK, it's near tons of cheap eats.