Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kurtz]

You guys happy with your apartment or officetel?

I get 400,000 won per month to play with, and I'll tell you in Busan that doesn't seem to get you much.

I am paying 120,000 extra for my current pad, but I want to move mainly due to noise issues rather than the having to pay extra.

Some of the minute pads for said money is an absolute joke! I'm talking like 4x4 meters! Hardly enough room for my bed and sofa and TV!

I opted for a dirty old apartment with three rooms in an unfashionable dong as I want to crank as much money away as possible this year, but I still think 400,000 is too low as a housing budget.

Yes I know, it's better than nothing (and please, no "better than living in parents basement" comments from the peanut gallery) but still, it doesn't seem high enough to live somewhere decent.

[DorkothyParker]

You are one guy with a three-bedroom apartment? That is obscene.

If you want a nice location, you need to cut down on size. There is no reason a single individual can't live comfortably in a one bedroom or a loft even. I am married and I don't find the loft officetel I live in to be too small (though a bigger kitchen would be nice).
Buck up!

[Kurtz]

[DorkothyParker]

Given that you have been here a while, you may be able to negotiate more when it comes time for contract renewal. Does your employer provide apartments? Are those any better?

3 rooms = main room, bedroom and...?

I still say 400,000 is enough if one can get a loft in a decent area with that amount. I understand you are not a "backpacker", but the vast majority of hires are younger and aren't bringing too much with them (even if they intend to stay a while). To say that you should have a greater allowance because you are older(?), mature (?), wanting to have an adult lifestyle(?) or what ever the reason is absurd.
Again, I assume you are experienced and feel you deserve nice things. That's fair. But this is what you negotiate as an individual. The school will pay you more when you renew (that's a given) so you can either pretend that is the increase in your living allowance, or you can try to get both. I wish you luck either way.
EDIT: This won't apply if you teach public school so I might just sound like a jerk right now. In this case, public schools should take into account cost of living in certain cities and adjust accordingly IMO.

Also, my sister's apartment in Yongin is much bigger and has nice new fixtures and is all painted up and fancy. But it's still in Yongin. Whereas my apartment is in Bucheon (a maximum 10 minute walk away from anywhere in the city worth going) and is small, old, and slightly broken. Location, location, location.

[Kurtz]

Well maybe I wrote that incorrectly. When I said "from my experience" I meant that from my experience of looking at apartments in the 400,000 won range, not, I'm an experienced teacher and deserve more of a budget.

I teach public school.

House is 2 bedrooms, living room and a dining room. Very old and very basic, the rooms are quite small and the bathroom leaves a bit to be desired.

My officetel, even though it costs 520,000 a month, I can hear my upstairs neighbour thumping around, taking a shower and urinating.

I would like to hear from other people if their apartment provides good living, and how much is it worth.

I think the EPIK 400,000 housing budget is a little low if you're in a big city like Busan.