Korean Job Discussion Forums

expat_boy · Joined: 13 Jan 2009

My friend and I are arriving this weekend at the last minute to start working at a uni in Gwangju. Because of visa issuance problems we will be arriving late on Friday.

We need to find accomodation near Chosun university ASAP over the weekend! We dont have much key money but dont mind living togetehr and combining accomodation allowances - so we should have have about 700,000 per month to play with.

Can anyone help us find somewhere decent without (too much) key money? The Gwangju international Centre arent being too much help in all honesty. We are both new to Gwangju. Very little Key money, and hopefully furnished!! Is this a big ask?? In all honesty i can see us being homeless!!!!

PLEASE HELP!

afsjesse · Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Location: Kickin' it in 'Kato town.

You could get a nice love motel for a month. I know it sounds weird but some of them are really nice and with that much money the both of you could get a decent one. In the meantime you could find yourselves proper housing.

Good Luck.

Xuanzang · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Sadang

Is the uni providing it or what? If they are then you should be pestering them to haul ass. if not well just get a cheap love motel and then head to all the bu dong sans and find something.

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

I think that university does not provide housing (but may provide housing money.)

If you're going to accept a deal like this, you'll probably have to stay at a yogwon or cheap hotel for a time while you hit the real estate agents.

I'm not sure why this is an emergency.

expat_boy · Joined: 13 Jan 2009

No the uni doenst provide accomodation but does give us money towards it.

I just dont want to be based in a Love motel going to work everymorning!

Any ideas what kind of place u can get for 700,000 for 2 people or 300.000 for 1 person in GWangju?

Xuanzang · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Sadang

Why the love motel is spacious, soundproof and well equipped. Better than a homestay or the rooming houses aka box and a wall.

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

Chris_Dixon · Joined: 09 Jan 2008

expat_boy · Joined: 13 Jan 2009

we had planned on spending a few nights in a motel but really wanted to get something quite quickly. We are new to Korea so the language is obviously a problem. Where would we find a list of available apartments?

Smee · Joined: 24 Dec 2004 Location: Jeollanam-do

The GIC isn't very helpful in a lot of situations.

I recommend joinng the Gwangju Facebook group and asking there. There aren't many Gwangju people here.

Most likely you'd need to get a motel for a couple days and visit a real estate agent (부동산) in person.

If you can read and navigate Korean websites, have a look at this one for example to see what you can expect to get and pay at various locations in Gwangju.

http://www.gjroom.com/?cpcwhrtype=clickchoice

Smee · Joined: 24 Dec 2004 Location: Jeollanam-do

Ah, okay, so you can't navigate Korean if you're new. Well, maybe one of the foreigners already at the university can help you out? Or perhaps there's a director or supervisor at the school to help translate?

You're not going to be able to buy an apartment online, but the site I gave you should give you an idea of what to expect. For a few million (won) down and a few hundred thousand a month you can get something.

When you arrive at Gwangju, there are a bunch of motels behind the bus terminal. . They're relatively new and clean, and will cost 30 to 40,000 won a night. Better to stay there than to try and navigate the city on your first day. Then try and get someone from the university to help you with a real estate agent.

expat_boy · Joined: 13 Jan 2009

Tried looking at the site but not really sure where or what i am looking at... the pictures i saw are of empty rooms.... do you have to buy your own furniture and beds/lamps etc?

How much do things like beds/sofas/TVs cost? Can you get them second hand? How much would it cost for delivery etc?

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

Seriously... stay in the love motel. They're often very nice, with hottubs and marble floors ... costing as low as 30,000 to 40,000 a night. Some are not as nice, but never really worse than a typical USA motel you'd find.

Take your time and don't jump into a crappy housing situation.

D.D. · Joined: 29 May 2008

Not all places need key money. I live near a University and pay 450 a month no key money.

Just look for new buildings near the university. New buildings always have landlords willing to rent.

Also ask the other teachers as someone is probably just about to move out of their place.

I bet all the teachers live near each other or in the same building. I can't believe someone in your Uni has not helped you out with this.

expat_boy · Joined: 13 Jan 2009

450,000 without k money sounds perfect! where would i find a list of places liek that? does it have furniture?