Korean Job Discussion Forums

[laoshihao]

allan, a nice school can be talked into getting you a better place, but most Koreans are used to living tight so they don't understand when we feel the walls of a teeny place closing in on us.

And I don't think I have heard of anyone having trouble having overnight guests or getting food delivery. However, if you live right by your school expect people to be up in your business if you have an overnight guest. The usual problem of food delivery is simply not knowing how to say it in Korean or being so far out you don't have many options. So you know, many pizza delivery places will have someone who speaks English on staff. Just say "English" when they answer the phone. Have a co-teacher write down how to say your address so you can get delivery if you can't speak Korean.

It is unfortunate that foreigners in the past have run up utility or phone bills or trashed their apartments before leaving. That's why more and more places recquire key money. I understand why SMOE doesn't provide it. Key money is generally around 5 million won. Multiply that by the 600 teachers coming in your group and that's a butt load of cash all in one go. They can't force schools to provide it because some schools don't have a lot of extra money.

[alphakennyone]

[brento1138]

I just got hired with SMOE and am a little nervous now after reading some threads. The co-op residence surely sounds horrible, and pretty substandard. Tough to expect people to live in these places...

So, anyone got pictures of these places? Are they still putting teachers in there? I truly hope not...

edit: I found this place. Doesn't look so bad...

http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservations/Uljiro_CoOp_Residence_Seoul.htm#

[The Gipkik]

LOL, I highly doubt Uljiro CO-OP Residence is on the SMOE list.

[nomad-ish]

i was worried about that too initially, but i haven't talked to one person in SMOE yet that lives in the dongdaemun co-op.

[Weigookin74]

[Illysook]

I visited a friend who lived in the co-op residence last year and it wasn't that bad. Sure, it was tiny, and the bathroom walls were that frosted safety glass stuff, but I had an equally tiny apartment while working for a hagwon out in the provinces without anything close to the amount of storage space that my friend had. The spaces are fairly well designed and you do get to be near other teachers with a restaurant on the first floor that will serve you a western breakfast...which I didn't try, but sometimes you need that, y'know!

[blackjack]

[prideofidaho]

[Weigookin74]

Anyone in SMOE still getting put into this type of housing? How is the housing for SMOE nowadays? I know it can all be different but what is the average experience? I had heard the key money system is being done away with or reduced in Seoul. Is this true? What will a decent (clean) one room or office tel cost you in Seoul nowadays?

[Weigookin74]

I just searched English sites on Google. Total rip off. I searched Korean sites for one rooms on Naver. Some deposit required but reasonable prices for Seoul. Places are small but seem modern enough which is important. If you either have money saved up or access to credit, seems manageable. This is if you want to get your own place. But I'm guessing age and maturity levels will have a lot to do with whether or not a Korean would want to rent to you or not.

[rayne]

If you apply directly to a school through a recruiter is it more likely you'll get better housing? I have friends in Korea, so I want to live in a specific area, or some place near that area so I don't think I should go through a program like SMOE, and instead apply directly through a recruiter...

[daisydew]

[allan of asia]

before you tick housing allowance, remember as of around earlier this year its included in your taxable pay, so that 500k wont be eaxactly 500k added to your pay every month - it will have korean income tax taken off -

[daisydew]