Korean Job Discussion Forums

highstreet · Joined: 13 Nov 2010

If you do, mind telling me what you paid for the deposit and monthly rent?

I'm thinking about moving to that area.

thanks!

suprd3vil · Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Location: Sindorim, Seoul

I have a friend who has a 2 bedroom in Hongdae, he paid 4 mil key money and 1 mil a month.

kenglish · Joined: 10 Mar 2011

is it a modern building? 4mil is shockingly low for anywhere in seoul.

RMNC · Joined: 21 Jul 2010

You can find places that will accept that kind of key money, but as you can see he pays a lot per month. It would probably be easier to save up something like 10 million and then the rent would probably only be about 500,000.

More key money = lower rent. Mostly on a bell curve.

seoulsucker · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2011 11:10 pm Post subject:

In 2009 I lived in the Magellan 21 Officetel about 100m from exit 2 on the main drag. I put down 5 mil key and paid 650,000/month in rent, plus a LOT for building fees. I was pretty much dropping a mil a month. Very modern building, amazing location, 15th floor, awesome view. Worth every penny.

rabbitsaregood · Joined: 03 Oct 2006 Location: Seoul

I have a two room (plus main room) for 10mil key and 600,000 per month. It's fairly big, compared to the standard 1 room place, anyway. You can probably get 5mil and 500,000 for a smaller place. There are places round Sinchon that have low key money but you have to look around a bit.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

We used to live in the Prugio Apartment right down the road from HongDae main gate. Think that was about 33 Pyung. The key money was 310 million won.

We now live across the main road in a 5 story building. This place is about 45 pyung, but is 100 million less for the key money! Not as polished and nice as the apartment, but I dig the private roof and the second floor room.

We own an officitel next to Hapjeong Station. That rents for 650,000 a month plus fees and utilties.

thejasman1 · Joined: 13 Sep 2010

Thanks for the info guys! I'm going to be working in Dangsan (2 stops over) and I think I want to live in Hongde. How can I contact you guys I don't have PM ability yet. My email is [email protected] I can tell you number via email ^^.

Triban · Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Location: Suwon Station

Hmm...what could I get for 30 million key money? Seems better to live here than Anyang!

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Just put your response on the thread, OP.

chungbukdo · Joined: 22 Aug 2010

I was a sublet of my gf's bros place. He lived right next to Hongik Uni cuz he's studying there.

I think they paid 10k deposit and 400 per month for a one-loom. Patio with washer, bathroom, and just a studio. Students lived in the building, mainly.

If you had kids it wouldn't be great, but I didn't mind sharing it with my gf. I don't need much space though, I could probably even have a young baby in there til they start moving around a lot.

Hongdae is kinda lame for groceries.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

HongDae USED to be lame for groceries. Happy to report that COSTCO is right down the road and there are many more fresh veggie and fruit places springing up all the time.

ssulja · Joined: 01 Sep 2009

Anyone have any suggestions on where to live for a Yonsei grad student? I'd like to pay like 8-10k key money, with like 500-600 a month?

I've been looking online but I have a slight feeling that it's just like trying to rip me off

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

@ssulja. FORGET the on-line real estate places - total rip offs.

With the amount you're looking to spend, you should have no problem finding a decent one or two room near Yonsei. If you speak Korean well enough, hit the pavement on your own. If you don't speak Korean, take a K-speaking friend and walk around to a bunch of the real estate places in the neighborhood(s) you like.

There is no substitute for footwork, and you need to know that even real estate places right next to each other can have different properties to let. Yes, hitting up all of these places is a pain. However, it's better to suffer for a few days before you move in than to suffer the length of your contract.

hostness · Joined: 18 Apr 2006

Any more tips / reviews of what's good and what's bad about Hongde? For me it'd be close to I guess the young scene and there's a lot more intl food establishments which is a big deal for me. I don't hang out in Hongde bars or anything since I usually hang out with friends and they're too lazy to go all the way to Hongde. I'm actually looking to move into an officetel too. I'm willing to pay for better living conditions / space / quietness in probably one of the highrise officetels for myself.

Just curious about the area though. What's awesome about it and what sort of sucks?

How much would I be looking to pay? I pay quite a bit for my place (800-1,000k range w/ the fees) but it's not in Hongde. Not sure how much real estate costs there but I'm wondering if it's worth the move.

Also, how much are you guys paying for the real estate fees to move into these places for a year (say 10k deposit for 800k a month)? I have a feeling my real estate office ripped me off when I made a contract for my place, but at the time I didn't really have a choice (paid around 400-600k won)?