Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cazador83]

So I was given the opportunity to live in a single housing, or shared housing, provided by my school. Both places were nice, and even the roommate, who was a fellow co-worker was fine as well. Everything was furnished of course and nice, but in the end I decided to go with the single, just because I don't know if I could have a roommate for a whole year. However, we were offered an extra 200,000 won per month each if we wanted to stay in the 2 bedroom apartment (this is in Bundang). So I'm just curious... how much would it cost for you to accept living with a roommate for a year? Some people are telling me I'm crazy not to have accepted an extra $200 a month, because some people get allowances of only 300,000 a month if they choose money over provided housing. I think for 400,000 I would do it for sure, and 300-350 I'd be kind of iffy, but for me 200,000/month only equals about $2400 in a year and that's not enough.

[SuperHero]

There is not enough money on the planet to make me live with a roommate.

[Ya-ta Boy]

I'm with SuperHero on this one. I would only do it if I had absolutely no options.

[tzechuk]

I would never have a roommate, unless it's my husband.......

[TheUrbanMyth]

Where's the option for "No way Jose!"

Why is your director so hell-bent on the two of you sharing housing ? If he's paying the two of you (combined) an extra 400,000 won a month, he's not going to save that much.

[flotsam]

In the end, schools that don't offer housing, and don't make up for it with other perks, are just sending a signal they are trying to get over on you.

The issue with housing here isn't about monthly rent, it's about key money.

Get the school to drop a 20,000,000+ deposit(around Seoul) or tell them to service themselves.

Cheers.

[JongnoGuru]

Without the forced shared-accommodation arrangements of today, where, oh where would half of the Freakiest Waygook stories of tomorrow come from?

[TheUrbanMyth]

[Homer]

first off asking for compensation for living with a roomate will get you nothing but some possible ill will from your new employer (that would be quite the achievement beforeyou even teach your first class!).

Better route is to ask for single housing or a housing allowance and find your own place.

There is no justification for them giving you money because the accomodations are shared...

Whats next? A bonus because you live overseas?

Food bursery to offset the fact you may have to eat Korean food sometimes?

Perhaps they should pay for your transit pass too and the taxis you take on your free time...


Anyway...simple and logic option here is to say you want single housing (it is common these days) or a housing allowance.

[JongnoGuru]

[cazador83]

if you were responding to me, you didn't read my post correctly.
i never asked for compensation nor demanded it. THEY offered paying us the extra money IF we wanted to choose shared housing over single. it was an incentive to do the shared housing, obviously.

[Njord]

Well, if they wanted to give me something, I would take it. However, I would do it for free if I met the guy first and decided that he seemed OK. I've had my share of roommates and only one of them was a disaster, so I guess I'm more willing than some to try my luck. (I'm in a single now, for what it's worth.)

[JongnoGuru]

[steroidmaximus]

Quite frankly, it's rare to have a school offer this kind of option; usually it's: ok you live with this person. And that's the end of it. Unless insanity ensues.

Demanding money is a bad idea: either take the single or the 200k. If I was single, younger, the apt was a good one, and the other person seemed decent, I might lean towards the cash.

[sadsac]

An additional years salary paid monthly.