Korean Job Discussion Forums

amcnutt · Joined: 22 Mar 2010

I really really want an officetel when I get to Korea. I was wondering how many of you have officetels and if you work for public or private schools. Also, do you have a loft? I think these are very cute Smile

fugitive chicken · Joined: 20 Apr 2010 Location: Bucheon

I live in an officetel, and I don't like it; also I got married this past year and it was a trick fitting the two of us in it; but before marriage, it was fine on my own, with a few frustrations of having my laundry dry next to my table and couch...and the washer under my stove. The bed just BARELY fitting into the bedroom. I was lucky to get a bedroom though, most officetels only have one room.

Location is also annoying, many offictels are smack dab in the center of downtown, like mine, so there is noise and lights flashing outside my window 24/7...not great for one who has to get up at 7....
No, I don't have a loft, other people on my floor do though and it makes allthe difference honestly. I have a 15 foot high ceiling, in which a loft would fit...but alas...

I work in a public school, but honestly itscompletely random. If you get in a hogwan, especially a small one, you are more likely to live in a hole. Whereas public schools tend to have slightly better standards...but again, ive met public school teachers who also live in a hole. I also know a few people who have completely lucked out and gotten amazing officetels to host small parties.

mellow-d · Joined: 07 Oct 2009

I've got to tell you, I wouldn't wish for an officetel ever. They are unbelievably small especially if you have to share it with your significant other. Picture your bedroom at home and you get the idea of your entire place.

Css · Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Location: South of the river

officetels have a big range of sizes..i used to live in an officetel and it was a 2 room place..it was huge..way too big for me.

DeMayonnaise · Joined: 02 Nov 2008

I've lived here two years, and am moving into an office tell next year. It's the way to go.

Both of the other posters mentioned significant others, but obviously the OP isn't coming over with one, so who cares? For a single mid 20s year old without much stuff, who will probably only be in Korea short term, an officetel is the way to go. A loft makes a big difference.

I live in a 2 room apartment now, and it's too big. Too much to clean, I tend to let junk build up in the space I don't use, and it's more to heat in the winter. The minor "frustrations" of having the laundry right in the middle sounds like a plus to me...it's right there! No need to go walking all over the place. I'd rather have a small place then a big place if I'm living by myself.

It's pretty much a crap shoot if you get one or not with your school, but it couldn't hurt to ask for an officetel with a loft when you apply.

katsu · Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Location: here and there

I like officetels...they are new and clean when compared to villas. Most of the new ones, have big elevators and security guards. I lived in a nicely sized 3 room officetel (2 bedrooms + living room, kitchen, etc.)
The only downside was the monthly fee...it would get quite expensive, especially in the winter...over 300 000 just for utilities...
but i do like them and wouldn't want to live in a villa anymore...

Alicebtkl · Joined: 06 May 2009

My husband and I live in an officetel and we love it. It is a two bedrooms apartment, good size, very sunny with big windows, new, with LOTS of storage cabinet, 13th floor, so not so noisy and the subway station is just next to our building. We never see our neighbors but the staff is very nice, the building is very clean and we never had any problem with getting our mail. We really love living here.

Fishead soup · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Location: Korea

The personally have had a very bad experience with officetels

Noisy- They are 90% of the time in downtown noisy area's lots of bars singing rooms. People get out of the bars and just shout on the streets.

Crooked- The last one I stayed in the owner had a running scam with the gas company. I found out about this from the owner of the health club onthe first floor. The gas company would fiddle with the metre's the landlord would look the other way and get Baksheish. I had to pay outragious bills sometimes for months I wasn't using the gas.

These places are owned by individuals who live elsewhere and just screw people over.

Nutty neightbors. There was a drunk who never bothered to insist on getting a user friendly key. If the key doesn't go in the first 3 tries I insist on getting another key regardless of whether you can eventially fiddle your way in.
He came in late everynight and curse and swear that he couldn't get in his room.

red_devil · Joined: 30 Jun 2008 Location: Korea

I have a newer, modern, (pricey) loft officetel that has a separate master bedroom. The loft part is really not that great because the ceiling is so low to it, i decked mine out "Rainbow Lounge" style though so it's got a purpose.

The BIG problem i have is that the "curtains" that came with the place are practically transparent and do absolute NOTHING to block out the light. Since officetels have the big floor to ceiling windows, to replace them will be costly. The other part is that the walls are so thin that i can hear people in the streets, not to mention the drunk idiots getting out of the bars at 2am. It's as if all my windows are open and my place is on the 1st floor. It's a big problem for me and i'm thinking about moving. This place is expensive and i expect better for my money...

Lolimahro · Joined: 19 May 2009

Officetels range widely, as everyone has mentioned. I live in a oneroom officetel of reasonable size with my husband and our toddler son. We make it work. We sleep on the floor and have a sofa bed for guests. We put shelves high on the wall and maximize space as best as we can. If we had a loft it would be even better.

We have visited friends in two- and three-bedroom apartments, and most of them were about the same size as our officetell, but with a wall in the middle. I'd rather have the open floorplan, but that's just my opinion. I think it gives more room for my son to run and play and prevents myself and my husband from accumulating too much junk.

However, if you are intent on having lots of large pieces of furniture - a western-style bed, sofa, big TV with TV stand, 4-person table, etc. then a one-room offictel will likely not have enough space for you.

The major, major downside to living in an officetel is the cost of utilities and maintanence fees. We paid almost 300,000 in January or February for heat, water, electricity, and maintenance fees. About half of the cost was maintenance fees. We never pay less than 130,000 per month - even in the spring when we're not using the heat OR the a/c.

Anyhoo, hope you find something you like.

Fishead soup · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Location: Korea

Alicebtkl · Joined: 06 May 2009

Lolimahro · Joined: 19 May 2009

misher · Joined: 14 Oct 2008

130,000 for an OFFICETEL kwanlibi (building fee) is about normal. It will be even higher if your building is brand new and in a good location too.

Villas run about 50-80,000k,

If it is a scam then every Korean and foreigner I know is getting ripped off. Prices here are just ricidulous and that is all there is to it. I just moved into an officetel which is modern and a 5 min walk to Jamsil station. THe unfortunate part? I get spanked 800k + building fee/gas/interent a month upping the monthly bills to around 980,000. The room is fine but it is tiny. I could almost do better back home in Vancouver and that market is hella expensive.

Jane · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

Don't know about Van but in Toronto, you can't get a decent 'one room' studio for under $1000 rent per month.

I only still rent in Korea, but I don't mind paying the 130,000won or so gwanlibi because if I had an apartment back home, the maintenance fee for a condo would be between $300 and $1000 per month. I think the fee charged in officetels in Korea is reasonable.