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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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koreatimes
Joined: 07 Jun 2011
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 Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2011 7:12 am Post subject: |
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| goat wrote: |
| Bruce W Sims wrote: |
| moleyy wrote: |
I have previously lived in a goshiwon for a whole year as a student in Korea and I thought it was great, it was very clean, I had my own bathroom (though very small) and had free food in the shared kitchen. There were also many other international and Korean people living there so it was fairly social and it was a steal at 350,000won a month. In the UK you would pay >800,000 a month for an en-suite student room no matter what the size is.
Most goshiwons have a landlord who cleans the kitchen and halls everyday, there should be a no smoking policy and doing general apartment stuff is fine as long as it isnt too late at night etc. Apart from the size goshiwons are OK, however if you are teacher with free accommodation I would be a bit bummed if I was put in a goshiwon. |
Sounds very much like a "dorm" situation. Is there also a kind of "community room". These are pretty common places for people to collect and socialize or form study groups etc. I'm thinking that they might have something like this, yes? Also, what is done about large items that are used daily. I'm thinking of bicycles , or if a person has a car. Are there accomodations for parking such things. Are they sheltered?
Best Wishes,
Bruce |
If you accept a job in Korea, I suggest that you request a goshiwon. |
and housing allowance |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2011 7:47 am Post subject: |
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| Having lived in a one room that was about 3 pyeong where the bathroom walls froze for a year, I would quit a job in short order if they put me in a goshiwan. I would probably quit my job now if they tried to get me to move back to my old apartment. As a student I could probably handle it, but as an employee it's seriously insulting. |
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koreatimes
Joined: 07 Jun 2011
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| Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2011 11:14 am Post subject: |
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| As a student I could probably handle it, but as an employee it's seriously insulting. |
It's an extra 150,000 probably to your monthly salary. The heat is better as you have illustrated because it is shared. So, in winter months you probably save money on top of that. Figure 2,000,000 total. If it is worth it, go for a goshiwon. If you don't want that money, then fight for an apartment. |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2011 2:59 pm Post subject: |
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| koreatimes wrote: |
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| As a student I could probably handle it, but as an employee it's seriously insulting. |
It's an extra 150,000 probably to your monthly salary. The heat is better as you have illustrated because it is shared. So, in winter months you probably save money on top of that. Figure 2,000,000 total. If it is worth it, go for a goshiwon. If you don't want that money, then fight for an apartment. |
That 150,000 is the difference between a home and a hole. |
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You
Joined: 31 May 2009
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| Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2011 8:57 pm Post subject: |
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| Most have paper thin walls(you can hear the other persons phone on vibrate)~and they are used for studying. So you will be expected to be quiet (only had experiences with ones in Bundang)~~Also, some of them strictly prohibit overnight guests. |
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SeoulNate
Joined: 04 Jun 2010
Location: Hyehwa
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| Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2011 9:11 pm Post subject: |
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| Bruce W Sims wrote: |
A quick thanks to the OP for raising this issue. Personally I have no problem with spending a year in tight quarters. Gawd knows I have lived in worse places. The reason for my thanks has more to do with matters other than size.
a.) I forgot that tobacco is still heavily used in Korea and I'm wondering what it would be like to take an apartment in the footsteps of a previous occupant who had been smoking the entire time they were cramming.
b.) The pictures I have seen of these digs are always immaculate, which I know is an illusion being more than a little familiar with the hygiene of college students and dorm rooms.
c.) What is the policy for changing-out the bedding?
d.) What is the policy for using these locations in the sense of painting or hanging pictures, playing instruments, listening to music...you know... "apartment stuff"?
Any comments on life in these places would be appeciated.
Best Wishes,
Bruce |
a) since nothing will actually be in the place when you move in, all it will take is a day or two to air it out. Or, if it is really awful, you can always get it re-wallpapered, it is really cheap here.
b) usually they are just old. semi clean, but old by korean standards. If you get accommodations that are 8 years old or older, expect them to be completely run down. Buildings are not build to last here.
c) your school should do it before you move in. No way I would sleep on dirty sheets. It is a reasonable request to ask for new bedding.
d) Most buildings have rules that limit loud activities after midnight, but in my experience the korean tenets to do abide by these rules if they have a late schedule nor does anyone else really complain about loud noise. Also, some places have rather thin walls and others, like the place I am in now, would allow you to run a jackhammer at night with no problems. |
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