Korean Job Discussion Forums

[speakyword]

How much is a good amount for housing allowance? Now I know it varies greatly depending on area. What about Gwanak-gu and Daejeon. In Daejeon I'm being offered 300,000. Is this enough? Thanks!

[b0101]

I don't know about Daejeon, but in Gwangju (which I'm guessing may be slightly cheaper than Daejeon) 300,000 is enough to get you a small studio apartment or ju-tek (second floor of a house). Is your school also offering a housing deposit or key money? Many places require this.

My school also does not provide housing and gives staff a housing allowance. Many (myself included) choose to spend a bit more than the housing allowance just because it's worth it to live in a bigger and nicer place.

300,000-350,000 is the average housing allowance for schools in this area. I'm guessing in Seoul it would have to be more.

[speakyword]

good to know! thanks

[winterfall]

SMOE is 500,000. Depends on your reasons for getting it. May or may not be enough. I live outside Seoul and it's just enough to cover rent. But, I've got family so I can't take school housing.

[jiberish]

I get 400,000 in seoul. So I would assume 300,000 would be fine. Before I had a loft style in Incheon which was plenty big enough and it only ran them back about 200,000 a month. It depends if they are willing to cough up any key money

[conbon78]

I lived in Daejeon in a great apartment which was 350 a month, so I think 300 is adequate. Depends on where in the city you live.

[speakyword]

Great, good to know. I think (barring the unforseen) I will take the provided housing because that way it comes with all utilities and there's no deposit or anything like that, whereas with the housing allowance that'd be all up to me. But I suppose if the place is a dump I'll look elsewhere. Thanks for the info

[Stevie MAN]

300 is good. Push them up a little to 400 if you can.

[conbon78]

Definitely ask to see a pictures of the place - some of them can be pretty awful and do you know what area it is in?