Korean Job Discussion Forums

[zappadelta]

Hi,
Been in Korea for about 7 years, but have spent most of the time outside of Seoul. Because of a recent job change, I will be moving to the big city. I have never done the whole living in the Itaewon area thing, so I need some tips. I have a lot of money for a key deposit. I would like to spend less than a million/month on rent. Would like to stay in the 500-600 range at most. I know people say you should find an area you like, and go to the real estate agent nearby. My problem is I haven't been able to find an area that I like yet.
I spent the last 2 days in Seoul, but didn't really get far. Looked at a few places close to UN Village, they were ok.
I heard the Noksapyoung Station area is good for housing. I walked around there, but couldn't find anything. I am looking for recommendations for specific neighborhoods to look at. Please, if you know of any clean and decent places, let me know with as detailed directions as possible. Also, if you know of any good real estate agents, that would also be helpful. Thanks a lot guys.

[spaceman82]

Are you limiting yourself strictly to the Itaewon/Noksapyeong area? If so, I'd check out Haebangchon and Kyeongnidan (again?). If not, could you tell us a little more about what places in Seoul you need to be close to and other requirements?

Here's the Eden Realty site for places around Noksapyeong as well: http://www.edenrealty.co.kr/

[Toju]

Sadang. Far enough away to be close.

[zappadelta]

Thanks for your post. No, I am not limiting myself to those areas. I will be working in HeukSeok Dong, just south of the Han River. That area is pretty old and run down from what I have seen so far. The places I have looked at around there only have Jeonse, where you make one huge deposit, say 230 million won, then don't pay rent. Unfortunately, I am not in the position to pay that amount. So, I wanted Wolse, where I pay a deposit and a monthly rent. I am open to any area close to HeukSeok. I checked the Eden site already, didn't see anything too exciting, but please keep the ideas coming. Do you have any specific areas in Haebangcheon or Kyeongidan that you would recommend?

[spaceman82]

I know there are some newer, nicer one-room style places up the hill from the main street in Haebangcheon, if you don't mind the walk and the general noisiness of that area. They were running about 550,000 won/month with 5-10 mil. won deposit when I was looking last year. In Kyeongnidan, the places are older for the most part, but you can luck out with one in good condition if you talk to enough realtors. It can be quite time-consuming though. If you're interested, I can give you the number of the realtor I used last time; she's quite helpful and speaks English very well.

In terms of other areas you might want to check out, assuming you're going to be working near Heukseok Station or Dongjak Station, Sadang (as the previous poster suggested) might not be a bad idea. The Gangnam-gu area would probably be too expensive for you, but you could check out Yeouido (I don't know much about housing there except I knew a girl living in an officetel there for a reasonable rent) or even near SNU/Sillim (which will be older but have plenty of the type of places you're looking for available).

You might want to look at http://www.nearsubway.com/ for more ideas, though the places they advertise seem to be a little on the expensive side.

[zappadelta]

Thanks so much spaceman. I have heard others mention Sadang and Sillim, so I will look into those places. I looked at the nearsubway site, interesting but not sure if I can believe those pictures. Anyway, got in touch with the guy there, Gilbert, and he's compiling a list of places for me to look at. Any other info would be great.