Korean Job Discussion Forums

[MorgolKing]

Does anyone have experience negotiating the location of your apartment? I'm thinking of accepting a job at public school that's hiring a foreign teacher for the first time. I'm dealing with a recruiter who's acting as a liaison between Incheon Metro Board of Education and me. He said he thinks it will be no problem having them locate me somewhere downtown "as long as it's not an hour away." Well I want to be placed at Bupyeong station b/c of it's access to Seoul and b/c it has more offer than other parts of Incheon. The subway ride to my school would be 16 mins. Is this reasonable? And how should I go about negotiating this with them?

I know it's a more popular area and probably more expensive but I think it's a reasonable request all things considered. Thoughts..advice???

[ttompatz]

[MorgolKing]

Is it really that unreasonable?

[ttompatz]

[ontheway]

It doesn't seem unreasonable at first, but then you have to remember that many employers have already made arrangements for housing through long-term apartment leases or purchase of a condo. For them, this would be a deal breaker. If you are their first teacher, the problem comes with your replacement teacher, since most teachers prefer to be closer to the school. They will be locked in to housing that is not suitable for a future teacher.

Perhaps they have an option for a cash housing allowance if you arrange for your own housing.

Housing is important for both parties. It's not unreasonable to negotiate, but it could result in one party walking away. The school needs to find a teacher that fits. The teacher needs to find a school that fits, too.

[Lemonade]

[ttompatz]

[Tiger Beer]

[Lemonade]

[Lemonade]

[Homer]

It (the location you want) is only 16 minutes from your school... so if you were located by the school, you would only be 16 minutes farther from Seoul.... is 16 minutes really so much?

Excellent point....how is your request anymore reasonable then your employers choice of location for accomodations?

What you can do is refuse school housing and get a no-housing contract which would include a housing allowance. Then find your own place 16 glorious minutes away and problem solved.

[MorgolKing]

Thanks for all the replies and advice. As for the 16 min difference--it may seem trivial but to me in a makes a world of difference. The station is where a transfer is after a 16 min ride from my school's location. From there it only takes 45 mins to get to Seoul (which I will have to travel to often b/c that's where family and friends are). The difference between 45 mins and an hour + riding on the subway is big--at least to me.

Also the area is place is good enough that, if I'm not going to Seoul and just want to hang around my stomping grounds, I'd be completely content to do so. Whereas I couldn't say the same with most of the other parts of Incheon. So it comes down to my preferences the differences to me make it worth at least trying to negotiate.

I'm willing to call around and see what places I can find to help the process. Actually I'm willing to do pretty much any research or work I need to do if it will help. The contract allows a 300 dollar housing allowance....should I assume this is the max that the employer would be paying if they set up for housing?

[Hollywoodaction]

So, you're telling us that you feel you might be getting a raw deal because you have to ride the subway for 16 minutes to get to work and 45 to get to Seoul? It takes me 20 minutes to drive to work, and I live in a small town.

Very few people live 16 minutes from work in Kyongi, even 45. Ask the recruiter and the hagwon boss how far they live from work. That should put things into perspective for you.

[MorgolKing]

Ummmm I'm worried that the school will think it's too far away not the other way around.....

[Tiger Beer]