Korean Job Discussion Forums

[baedaebok]

What is the housing for EPIK teachers? Is it an officetel?

BDB

[schwa]

Impossible to say.

Depends on the area, availability, & budget, all of which vary, as well as how much effort the individual school spends on finding the nicest option.

[baedaebok]

Which PMOE put more effort on finding suitable housing?

BDB

[ttompatz]

[Cacille]

You are asking a question that we can't answer and has no rhyme or reason anyway.

This is not a system that each office of education puts people in a specific kind of apartment with no variation. This is not a system that puts effort into finding SUITABLE housing.

This is a system that puts emphasis on CHEAPEST housing, regardless of any other factor. Their priority: Cheap. Location. In that order, and the second isn't even all that important.

So you may come to find a large one room, updated with no problems, and even newer but requires a bus and a subway ride to get there. Or you may come into a shoebox with mold in every possible place, and thin walls and it is 20 minute walk to work. Or you may get really lucky and get into a 2 bedroom that you don't need to share and only 5 minute walk to work.

I hope that clarifies things a little for you.

[schwa]

[baedaebok]

It sounds like the EPIK teacher who wants an ideal place should take the initiative and find it himself. Could that be better or is the key money issue cause more trouble than it is worth?

BDB

[schwa]

Not easy for a newcomer & you'd almost certainly need to put down several thousand dollars of your own money. Its a somewhat complicated system unique to Korea. Not entirely your call either -- the school may already be tied into a lease & can refuse you that option.

[Weigookin74]