Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cubanlord]

I read a lot of posts here and I see that there is a general consensus in respect to one owning their apartment versus receiving an apartment from a school. I would like to know the opinion of others on the following question:

Say you do get your own apartment. Your family moves in. You live in a city other than Seoul (insinuating that most other cities aren't nearly the size of Seoul). Something bad happens, you get fired, your school goes out of business, etc., and you have to change jobs. The odds of you finding another job in the city may be small (depending on where you live).

I would assume in this case that having an apartment through the place you work would be more viable than getting one on your own (thinking of key money, moving, your child changing schools, etc.)

What are your thoughts and opinions? Thanks.

[cubanlord]

oops...sorry..I should have put this on the general section. sorry.

[brachy]

Currently I live in an apartment from my school. I live in a smaller town now though.

When I lived in Seoul , however, I prefered to get my own apartment. I just felt more independent that way. You can really keep your work and your private life seperate. If you need to leave that job, you don't have the apartment owned by your employer looming over your head.

I guess living in a place provided by your employers when you first come over is easier. But when you've been here for a year, saved up your own money etc... it makes more sense (to me anyway) to find your own place. This way you have more control over what you do, where you live, and what happens if things go sour at work.

Good luck!

[Ya-ta Boy]

Having your own place: If you get fired, you will still have a place to live while you look for a job. If you want to run, you will have a problem getting the key money back quietly before you go. If you change jobs, your family will have a place to live no matter where you end up. Getting the key money back can be a hassle, but doable, if you want to move out during the lease. You will need to buy furnishings.

School housing: If you get fired, you are thrown out on the street. If your school goes bankrupt, you will probably get thrown out on the street. If you do a run, no problem with leaving the apt. Your savings are in the bank earning at least some small interest rather than going to enrich the landlord.

Your last paragraph makes me think you want to go with school-provided housing. If so, go for it.

[cubanlord]

I'm already in it. I just wanted the pro's and con's from the vets. I can see the postive on both sides. Call me paranoid, but I don't like the whole apartment renting thing here. Before I came to Korea, I was a property manager in Gainesville, FL. I know the in's and out's of renting a unit. When I came here and learnt of the way they do things here...... that just about sum's it up.

[dulouz]

Having your own place is much much better for every reason except key money. You often need a larege deposit. School apts are stressful. The owners can come over anytime and tell you to clean, boarder another teacher and every dumb thing imaginable. Get them out of your life ASAP.

[cubanlord]

wow..thankfully I don't have the problem where I work. My wife and I have a fairly good size apartment. If my boss ever...EVER...tried to come over and tell ME what to do with the apartment I live in.....call me old fashion but....

[hellofaniceguy]

I am going to be more blunt...common sense says...get your own place. You can rent something for around 3-5 hundred thousand a month and you should get some housing money from the school also...so it would cost you even a smaller amount.
If it's your own place...no worries about being kicked out by the school, no worries about some idiot hakwon owner entering your place...as many do. If you do rent by the year...it could run 3-10 million a year. And you should get some of your unused money back if you want out.
No...never go with school provided housing.

[nrvs]

For a single person living in the city, I think the uncertainty of employer housing is offset by the availability of inexpensive goshiwon and yeogwan rooms. I mean, in an emergency I could be out of my apartment and in a decent yeogwan with an Internet connection in about an hour.

Also, if you lose your job, do you really want to worry about paying the rent while you look for work? Or conduct a job search based on the location of your apartment? Long commutes are no fun.

[the_beaver]

*beep* company housing.

[livinginkorea]

I did a runner about 2 months ago and man I was so delighted that I had my own place. If you don't then it's more of a tie to the school.

[ShaneM]

I'm pretty sure that when i go over there I'll be getting my own housing, but thats mostly because I already know a family over there that speaks decent english that will be able to help me out upon arrival.

[inkoreaforgood]