Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Markhughes]

Hello. I was wondering wether someone could give me a bit of advice.

My Girlfriend and I have both been accepted and offered jobs through SMOE in Seoul. We lived together for two years in London and have been travelling together before we arrive in Seoul to start our jobs in Feb. Needless to say, we would like to live together rather than separately as our Korean friends desire. I was wondering what our options are and if anyone has gone through something similar? Needless to say, we won't be living in two different flats even if we are given them. Will SMOE realise that they will save a great deal of money by housing us together or do they do everything by the book? I know SMOE only offer joint housing to married couples and I'm not interested in doing this to scam them out of any money, we just want them to be reasonable so we have a happy time in Korea.

Any and all advice, even if it's just about housing in general, would be greatly appreciated.

[sluggo832004]

Not trying to be a jerk or anything but, those are the rules. Either get married, or just deal with it.

[kimdeal54]

As you are not married, SMOE won't give you one apartment to share, and they won't guarantee placements before the end of orientation.

Here are your choices...

1) One of you asks for housing allowance, and then you wait to see where you will be placed. Both of you move into the apartment provided. I don't recommend this because one of you could have a hell of a commute (worst case scenario would be two hours), and the apartment might be very small.

2) Both of you take housing allowance. You come to Korea a few days before orientation, and find an apartment in the Haebongchon / Itaewon area. It's central, so both of you might have a reasonable commute. Again, if one (or both) of you gets placed in one of the corners of Seoul - longish commute.

3) Both of you take housing allowance. You wait until you find out your respective placements, and then you rent an apartment in an area that's handy for both of you. Again, if you're both placed in opposite ends of Seoul (Nowon-gu and Guro-gu for example), there will be a commute. Also, you're putting yourself under some stress for your first weekend if this is your first time in the country and you have to find accomodation. You say you have Korean friends though, so they can maybe help you out.

So, basically, if you're ok with commuting, you'll be fine. And if you get very very lucky, no problem at all.

[Murakano]

I knew a couple last year (not married) who had couple housing with SMOE (maybe they made an exception or rules changed)....but in saying that, their housing was not that much bigger than mine to be honest. Don`t expect a double sized apartment or anything unless you`re placed at schools in the far ends of Seoul or luck out.

For first timers I wouldn`t recommend both of you taking the housing allowance unless you have enough money for key deposit (5-10 million won+ easily) and can speak enough Korean to talk to realtors (Itaewon the main exception but I would hardly call there a great place to live in the first place).

[bbud656]

I wonder how official the marriage has to be? Like could you get a justice of the peace wedding, get it annulled and and bring the marriage certificate? Or get married and get an airtight prenup. Then again, I am a man. I doubt your girlfriend is cool enough to do this.