Korean Job Discussion Forums

tonyvu · Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 2:07 pm Post subject: officetel request

should i able to request to the recruiter that i get an officetel instead of a regular apartment? should i request other things about my living accomodations as well if possible? has anyone here specifically made requests regarding their accomodations before signing the contract?

based on some research in past posts, they sound newer and better...

Lekker · Joined: 09 Feb 2008 Location: Seoul

Officetels aren't always nicer. Sometimes they are cheap, built really quickly, out of cheap materials. Tell your recruiter you want to live somewhere nice and close to the school, but more importantly, that you don't want to be crammed into a box, which is what a lot of officetels are like, especially the newer ones.

PeteJB · Joined: 06 Jul 2007

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

OP,

I think you have to ask the school/recruiter directly about this. Many schools have paid a year's deposit on a place and can't be flexible. A new teacher is just expected to move into the place vacated by the previous teacher.

If they haven't already reserved a place, then they might be open to a discussion about it. Keep in mind though that officetels are not everywhere.

Keep in mind at least these two factors: size of apt and distance from work.

PigeonFart · Joined: 27 Apr 2006

I think it would be perfectly resonable of you to say that you strongly prefer living in Offictels. You could simply ask the school about it at interview time. If you're spending a year in the same place then of course it's important to you where you're living.

I for one agree with you. I've found Offictels to be far superior to regular appartments. Sure, you could get a small one, with noisy neighbours...but i've never had either experience.

The other ladies are right about distance from school being important. It's very nice having only a 5 min walk to school everyday. So you have to ask about that too.

Of course, being Korea the school could lie to you just to get you here. So get info about housing from the current teachers too. Good luck.

Lekker · Joined: 09 Feb 2008 Location: Seoul

teachingld2004 · Joined: 29 Mar 2004

Before you get your mind set on an officetel, find out your portion of the rent. I lived in one, and my bills were quite high. You pay shared utilities. I hardly had the air conditioner on, and at one point was away for 3 weeks. I still had to pay my share. If u do not like your apartment roasting, you still have to pay for roasting the others.

I had a nice one,with a loft, but the neighbours who were constantly fighting and banging on my door at 3AM DROVE ME NUTS.

One day one of them insisted I was in their apartment cause they were too drunk to remember they were next door.

Just get some photos of your apartment before you sign a contract and tell them you will not live in a dark windowless box over a bar.

You can also see if they will give you key money and a housing allowance.

teachingld2004 · Joined: 29 Mar 2004

Sorry, i should have mentioned that at least with an officetel you do not have to worry about mold, and you do not have to answer to crazy landlords who can cause you problems. With an office tell at least you know you will always have hot water.

But unless you can see the apartment yourself it all is a crap shoot.