Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dodgybarnet]

Okay so I've been lurking on this board for like 2 years, but am finally in the last stages of planning. My cunning plan is to arrive in Seoul and hit the streets looking for work (my kinda style).

I know that others have done this before, but where did you stay whilst you were looking for work? Hostels? This is one thing I haven't seen discussed.

(The assumption here is that I don't know anyone in Korea so can't crash 'round a friends).

Any advice appreciated!

[Lost Seoul]

Here are some previous posts about cheap accommodation in Seoul:
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http://www.eslcafe.com/korea/index.cgi?read=90137
Try a "study room".
Posted By: Simone
Date: Tuesday, 13 November 2001, at 12:57 a.m.
In Response To: Looking to rent by the day and looking for advice (Travis Towle)
They're called "Koshiwon".
Students rent them for studying in, and they sleep there, too. Tiny little rooms, shared showers, but usually clean and friendly.
Since you'll be surrounded by university students, you'll have no lack of people wanting to take you around and practice their english, once they realize that you're completely helpless. Nice kids, these korean uni students.
Just ask around in any university area. You might even be able to pick up some privates on a temporary basis while you're looking for a job.
I would expect to pay about 200,000 won a month for a teeny room. By the week, maybe 80,000.
Good luck.
Simone
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http://www.eslcafe.com/korea/index.cgi?read=100105
Re: Rented Accommodation under 1.5mill a month
Posted By: theansweryou'relookingfor
Date: Wednesday, 9 January 2002, at 6:21 p.m.
In Response To: Rented Accommodation under 1.5mill a month (Putzi)
Hi
I have a bunch of friends that live in Hae Bang Chon and pay between 500,000 - 700,000 won a month, no key money, for 20 - 30 pyoung places with 2 or 3 bedrooms.
Don't think that living in a hole will save you money. If you aren't comfortable in where you live, you'll always be going out, spending money. Living with your gf, you'll need a 2 bedroom in order to keep a healthy relationship. Trust me.
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http://www.eslcafe.com/korea/index.cgi?read=109010
Re: Accommodations upon landing
Posted By: happy lander
Date: Saturday, 23 February 2002, at 9:48 p.m.
In Response To: Accommodations upon landing (kb)
I stayed at the Dae Woo motel, right near the Plaza Hotel downtown, also near Seoul Station (subway) it was clean, safe, and the owner's son speaks English (call him Kim) you can get the directions including which bus to take (605 I believe) from the information desk at Incheon, they'll set everything up for you...you'll take a bus to the Plaza Hotel, and phone the motel from a public phone there, and they'll just trot over and pick you and your baggage up...it costs 35,000 won a night, room includes phone and cable TV...I spent a day or two sleeping off the jet lag and it was great...they're good people. Peace
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Try the Dea Wha Motel at 20-17 E Tae Won Dong, Yong San Gu, phone 794 3364. Ask at the tourist information at Itaewon subway station where it is. Rooms are from 15000 to 17000 per night.
http://www.eslcafe.com/korea/index.cgi?noframes;read=132710160573
Korean Job Discussion Forum
Re: dorms, guest houses, and other cheap roofs
Posted By: seoulicious <[email protected]>
Date: Wednesday, 5 February 2003, at 8:01 p.m.
In Response To: dorms, guest houses, and other cheap roofs (dax)
There's an ok place with plenty of room. 2 guys live there semi-permenently but they're cool. Free internet, use of kitchen and laundry. It's 13000/night and a little out of the way (near kyungbok palace). I think the web address is www.excitingkorea.com. Good luck!
http://www.eslcafe.com/korea/index.cgi?noframes;read=132710160591
Korean Job Discussion Forum
Re: dorms, guest houses, and other cheap roofs
Posted By: Derrek
Date: Thursday, 6 February 2003, at 2:34 a.m.
In Response To: dorms, guest houses, and other cheap roofs (dax)
You want to check out "homestay".
Go to the site: www.komestay.com
(yes, with a "k"). I used it and it worked very well for me. It was a great experience being shown around by a korean family, too.... they were nice to me.
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http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=4425&highlight=
rudyflyer
Joined: 26 Feb 2003
Posts: 563
Location: wasting away again in margaritaville
Posted: Wed May 14, 2003 8:15 am Post subject:
i know of a decent yogwon (the Dong-il) near the seoul hotel and chongjak station, they charge 30,000 won/nite but you should be able to negoitate something. I put a bunch of people there for 3 weeks during the WC and the adjumas cut them a deal

[buddy bradley]

I stayed in yeogwans in Sinchon and Jong-No Gu, so I could be near the honeys while looking for work. Guys with style like me avoid hostels like the plague.

[rapier]

I detest crowded bunk- bedded hostels. At 30 i'm really getting too old for all the hothouse atmosphere, intense social obligations of them, the mess, the whole everyone has to join in the group mentality..etc etc.
Which is why last time i prefferred to stay at a nice motel, with my own room, a couple hundred yards from Anguk subway exit. its next to Seoul backpackers, so you can socialise with all the travellers as well when you feel like it.

[chronicpride]

If you want to avoid hostels, but still pay cheaper than a yeogwan, I'd recommend staying at a 24 hour jimjilbang. I like to stay there, whenever I travel around Korea on the cheap. You can find these places, often near train and bus stations. They usually have a traditional spa/sauna/showers and large lockers for you to put your stuff in (anything larger than a knapsack, you'll have to ask the guy at the counter if he can keep watch over it behind his desk.). They have communal sleeping rooms on floormats and sometimes bunkbeds. I've seen them run anywhere from 7,000 to 10,000/night.

I like them, because you can have a good soak before bed, and then soak and freshen up in the morning, before you leave.

Just ask a Korean who works at or near a bus or train station, "ee-ship-sah sheegan jimjilbang ohdee-issayo?", and hopefully they can point to one or you can decipher their directions.

[schwa]

Nice as the above suggestion is, I'd guess a bit daunting for a noob. [I'd also guess the above poster wasnt anywhere near that brave on his first visit to Korea.] Best bet just find a motel. You just need a comfortable room to fling your stuff down, have a hot shower in the morning, & go. Once you get downtown (Chongno, Shinchon, oh I dont know -- other suggestions?) look for a red neon sign showing a bowl & steam rising from it. Motel. Theres thousands of them. 35000 won or so a night, if youre staying a few maybe d!cker it down a bit. But generally the motels are honest, reasonably clean, & consistent in providing tv, fridge, heat, filtered water (store-bought is better), toiletries, & security.

Its a safe friendly country & wherever you put up will serve you pretty well while you figure things out. Good luck & have fun!

[dodgybarnet]

Thanks for the advice! Much appreciated.

[ratslash]

i've stayed at a hostel and goshiwon (one room study rooms). hostel will be your best bet as you will probably only be there for a few weeks at the most.