Korean Job Discussion Forums

[PRagic]

For that amount, around 800,000 month rent with 10 million down, you could get one of the loft officitels connected right to HongDae Station. Think the name is 'ParadiseTel'. I recommend that place as it provides the most elbow room for the money. The other officitels near HongDae are boxes. If you go to Ewha Subway Station, you might get more elbow room for less coin, too.

Of course, you'll be paying over 100K a month in management fees and utilities. Not a bad size compared to other officitels in the HongDae area, though, and super convenient. My wife used to have an office in that building so I'm speaking from first hand exposure. Prices may have gone up a bit, but worth checking out.

If you look ask at a bunch of real estate places between SangSu Station and Shincheon Station, you might be able to find a clean and larger two room in close proximity to a subway station for a bit less. One-rooms? Blah.

What's good about the area? Here's a short list based on my experience:

1) Close to major subway transfer station. Green line, especially, is uber convenient. Great for work or to get to KangNam (if someone puts a gun to my head and makes me go there)
2) Right on top of the Incheon Airport subway line, and the most convenient airport suttle bus stop in all of Seoul IMHO. Good for us as we travel regularly and have people coming in all the time.
3) More international eats (no, they're not all good, but at least they're HERE!)
4) Proximity to HongIk, Yonsei, Ewha, and Sogang Universities, all of which are great places to tuck into for part of a long walk
5) Quick cab or bus ride to COSTCO
6) Quick walk or bike ride to the Han River, which is pretty well developed around here
7) Bars and clubs out the ying-yang if you're into that
It's NOT any hood in Kangnam, which means that the neighborhood has a bit of personality
9) Easy to get into the mountains if you're into hiking.
10) A good variety of gyms and fitness centers, in addition to (real) massage places.
11) There have traditionally been a lot of foreigners around here, so the neighborhood is more 'broken in' in that respect. Don't expect rock star treatment just because you're not Korean around here.
12) It's a bit more expensive than other neighborhoods, but not that more so. The trade-offs are there.


Other posters could probably add to the list, and I'm sure there are those out there who are not digging HongDae in general. To each they're own.

[chungbukdo]

Cool to know there is a Cosco nearby now. I might want to move back there when I come back to RoK. What area is the Cosco in (ie what station is it closest to)? I was thinking of moving to the Hapjeong area this time, as it is at a subway intersection, prices are a little better and its a little less busy.

[PRagic]

COSTCO is two subway stops past Hapjeong Station. You can walk to COSTCO from YeongDongPo-GuCheong Station.

Hapjeong isn't cheap, and there are fewer low-rent opportunities than, say, Itaewon, especially if you're looking for elbow room. You could look one stop down near SongSu Station and might find something a little more reasonable there.

[zappadelta]

[PRagic]

ah, yes...English up me always screws spelling.

[zappadelta]

Where are the good places to live in Habjeong? I have been there a million times, never have I seen a place or a street that I thought looked nice to live in/on.

[PRagic]

Go out exit 3 and hang a right next to the spaceship looking building. There are some really nice places in the back alleys behing exits 3 and 4. The other side of the road, round where they're putting up the new high rises, has some nice neighborhoods, too, but you have to get in behind the main road.

[zappadelta]

[zappadelta]

Took a walk over there this morning, and did see some nice places behind exit 3 and 4 off of the main street.
Pragic, by the other side of the street did you mean over behind exit 1? Also, what do you think ������? Ridden my bike through there several times. Seems a bit dark over there, but also seemed to have a nice vibe. Interested in your thoughts on that neighborhood. Thank you

[PRagic]

think the writing for the actual area didn't come out in the post. but, yeah, i meant by 'the other side', by exit 1 (if that's the exit in front of the bakery there).

looked at a KILLER first floor villa once. literally 2 minute walk from the hapjeong subway stop on that side of the road, but further up toward hongdae. didn't even want to go look at it. was SHOCKED. 2 minutes from the subway and it was quiet and well kept.

didn't take it. the owner was looking to sell, so we'd have been either moving and/or showing strangers the place from the get-go. they wanted 400 million key, too. like i said, not a cheap area. place had serious potential, though. hmmmmm.

[hostness]

Sorry to ask again, but anyone know what the prices of these are going for (wol se) rent per month (relative to how much key money they require as well)?

[PRagic]

Depends on the type of building, the size, and the location. The closer you are to the subway stop, the odds are they'll be asking for more in terms of both deposit and rent.

Officitels are great for convenience, but you don't get a lot for your money. Figure 10 million for your deposite and 650-800 a month rent PLUS at least 100+ a month for management and utility fees.

Honestly, you have to get down to the neighborhood and pound the pavement. There are a lot of 'one room' places (not officitels) that rent for 5 million down and 450-600 a month, and they have lower mgmnt fees. There is a lot of foot traffic, though, and people are always going in and out.

You might be able to find a larger, cleaner 2 bedroom with a small living room for 10 million down and 65-800 a month. Again, you have to ask at the real estate places.

Be specific about what you want or they'll waste your time a LOT by showing you what they have (and want to get rid of) so they can earn their commission.

[zappadelta]