Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Tamaby]

Hi All,
My husband and I moved to Korea last week, and were given a one room apartment. We were told it was a mistake, and we would get more space right away.
Now we have had several solutions presented to us - but the one that looks most likely to happen is that they will give us another one room apartment right next door to our current place. This is not my ideal solution - but for some reason - between my husband's school, my school, and our recruiters, this is what they have come up with as the quickest, easiest and best way for us to get more space and start unpacking.
I wanted to ask - does anyone have any experience with this situation? Has anyone else ever used 2 one room apartments as their 'full' apartment? If so - how did it work out? What did you do to make the best of it?
I am curious to hear other people's experiences.
Thanks!

[I_Am_The_Kiwi]

Id either take the existing place and get a housing allowance, or DEMAND a larger house. sharing 2 apartments is the stupidest suggestion in the world. Also means youll be paying 2 sets of bills every month. FUK THAT.

Get a new place. Them not being able to find one is BS!

[aphase]

it does seem quite silly to have two apartments right next to each other if your married. That means you have to walk outside, or into a public hallway each time you want to go to the other room? Weird.

They probably don't want to get rid of the current place they chose for you because they may have to pay a penalty for canceling the lease.

[Ramen]

Just keep the one room apartment and get the housing allowance like other poster said. Use the housing allowance to travel.

[smwood]

Our situation was similar, with a daft 'solution" being offered of a similar one-room down the hallway. You're being stiffed, to put it bluntly. Someone's put you into a one-room thinking either you'd adapt to it or wouldn't make a fuss.

Totally your choice as to what you do next of course. I let it go when it happened to me and wish I hadn't. If you are just beginning a contract and haven't unpacked I would suggest that you play hardball ~ respectfully, politely, but firmly.

Unfortunately, when I was fresh off the plane here it took me threatening to walk two times before I got taken seriously. Things got better after I had set my boundaries, but it was tough at the time.

Hopefully you will fare a little better.

Good luck,

~ smw

[Tamaby]

The pro of our current, small place is that we don't have to pay any bills. Plus it is on the top floor and is fairly pleasant if you can get over the small thing. =)

[IncognitoHFX]

You could have a lot of fun with that. You could use one apartment to sleep in, for example, just have a bed and your washroom related stuff in there. You could also use it for storage, and to study in/read in/have peace and quiet in etc...

Then you could use the other apartment for your TV/computer/Video games... hell, put a pool table in there. Have parties and such too. When you're both going to bed, you could turn the heat off in one apartment and turn it on in the other.

Or you could just use both apartments so you have space from one another.

Anyway, that's what I'd do.

[Thewhiteyalbum]

Live in one, rent out the other. Sweet!!