Korean Job Discussion Forums

[depth]

Hi all,

If any of the board experts may be able to please answer...

I'm trying to find the best way to deal with the possibility that the apartment my GEPIK school provides is too small. The key issue, it seems to me, is getting access to key money (30million won)

I'm not in Korea yet, so wont know for sure about the apartment until i arrive. If its a shoebox, then i will want to find my own larger pad.

Ok so im aware i can choose to have a) housing provided for me or b) 300,000 monthly allowance. but what about key money?

ive read elsewhere on this forum that the provision of key money is at the discretion of the principal. i read elsewhere that key money provided can be up to 30,000,000 won (30 million won).

i dont want screw the school around by agreeing to have housing provided for me, only to find it is too small and want to move. i also understand in this predicament, the key money might then get locked into the too small apartment.

i very much would want to utilize the 30 million key money by using it to find a new place and thereby lowering the cost of the monthly rent of a larger apartment.

ALSO, if i can get access to the key money, would i still be eligible for the 300,000 allowance?

to my way of thinking, key money of 30,000,000 plus 300,000 housing allowance, plus say 300,000 per month of my own money towards rent....should be AMPLE to find me a decent size 1bedroom apartment (in the GEPIK province area).

so i guess im trying to figure the best way to get my large size pad.

i could wait to see the actual size of the pad given by the school - and this may be suitable. but if its not, it may be a real problem getting hold of the 30million key money to find a larger pad (as it may be tied in to the school apartment).

perhaps it would be best to confirm my intention to find my own place before signing contract? would this help to ensure i GET ACCESS to 30million key money PLUS 300,000 allowance?? what's the best way to ask for and get the key money? is it in the GEPIK contract that i have access to key money?

I REALLY WANT to get access to key money because it will make rent costs more affordable for a decent place AS WELL AS receive the 300,000 monthly housing allowance...... and as i said, am happy to put in an extra 300,000 or so per month to rent as well.

thank you in advance for any responses

[crazy_arcade]

Why don't you just get the e-mail of the teacher you'll be replacing. I'm sure that he/she can provide information and/or pictures of the housing the school provides.

[depth]

yes that would be a good idea, and if the apartment is too small? can i get 30million key money plus 300,000 housing allowance?

[elliemk]

OP, here's my response. Take what you need and leave the rest. Don't start out creating problems from before you arrive here by insisting on a larger place. Many public schools (depending on location) provide great housing, at least from what I've seen.

What is great housing, you ask?

Clean, furnished with the necessitites and even some 'extra' items like 60" TVs, washer-dryer combinations, rice cookers, DVD players, etc.

Try to understand Korean culture before you come here. They don't like people to 'rock the boat.' They don't like people who complain. They don't like people who 'insist' on things. It's just not their way.

Most of us have lived in small places. They have a bed, washing machine, TV, refrigerator, some dishes, some pots and pans and silverware and kitchen utensils. They have a wardrobe or some other arrangement to hang your clothes. It is all you need to live with fairly comfortably.

This is not America. It is South Korea.

At a public school job, you get more vacation than those of us working at hagwons. You get fewer classes and often less preparation time, depending on your classes. You may have to ask for a heater for your classroom or office.

Save your energy for learning to teach here and adjust to the Korean way of living, instead of deciding that you have to have a bigger apartment just because you want one.

You'll be much happier if you come here with an open attitude, believe me.

[depth]

elliemk,

i think i may have been misunderstood. im asking a simple question about the likelihood of getting access to key money, which i noticed you didn't have an answer for.

i do agree 100% with your statement 'You'll be much happier if you come here with an open attitude, believe me.'

In all manner of gratitude, the opportunity to teach and earn a good living in Korea is unmatched. Suggesting a link between simply wanting a 'decent' sized place (paid in part from my own pocket) and being closed minded about Korean culture, frankly, is quite the stretch of the imagination.

the issue of quality sized housing (GEPIK province area) is at best, debatable, at least from what i've read on this forum, and seeing the size of some of the countless videos of 'my apartment" on you tube.

I disagree that i am being insistent. The idea of finding my own housing came from their contract... Im not looking to take what im not entitled to receive. but if key money is available, i don't see what the problem is. The are certain ways to get get certain things, which is why i am asking the forum experts for advice.

again, if anyone has any advice regarding access to key money, it would very much be appreciated.

regards,
depth

[crazy_arcade]

You haven't been here, therefore, you have no idea at all about housing. 30 million key money and 300,000 a month. There is zero likelyhood of you getting both. You can have the school provided housing or the 300,000 a month (and provide your own key money).

Then, of course, how are you going to find your magical dream house? I've been here for three years and am at an intermediate Korean level and couldn't do it by myself...laws are different here. Jeez, it was also tons of work for my co-teacher to do it.

It's true that housing can vary, however, GEPIK tends to be pretty good with housing...actually really good. I don't work for GEPIK, I work directly for my school. However, for the past two years I've been quite jealous of pretty much all of my friends' houses (those that are in GEPIK).

Finally, you will have to adapt to living with less space. Houses just aren't big here. How much space does one person really need anyways???

[depth]

thanks crazy_arcade, that clears up a few things.

in response;

'You haven't been here, therefore, you have no idea at all about housing.'

i know enough to know that 30million key money plus 600,000 rent will almost always get a bigger sized apartment than the one on offer from GEPIK.

.....

I also know that GEPIK gives the school approx 100 million won upfront for each new teacher.

Assuming i go for the 300,000 allowance, one has to question what the left over funds (after salary,class supplies, annual housing allowance & sundries) will be used for!! Were talking atleast 50million won.

repeat, 50million won.

It doesn't sound right to me that a school would put down (up to) 30million deposit for an apartment of their choosing, BUT would only provide 3.6 million won per year (housing allowance) if you decided to find your own place. Thats a 26.4million won unexplained gap.

If the school is not going to provide both key money (30million won) and housing allowance (300,000), then it seems pretty clear the best option is to negotiate getting the key money instead of the 300,000 housing allowance. A 30million won deposit is going to provide a bigger sized placed for less rent...than a 300,000 housing allowance by itself.

100 million won allocation for the teacher and no key money for finding own place. very strange indeed....

[Mi Yum mi]

30 mil key money can get you a nice place. If you live in the country then 30 mil can get you a palace. The wife and I are looking at a new place for next year. 3 bedrooms...30 mil. How about you come here and work for a year before you rock the boat. You might not even make it a month. Why worry about a small place?

[blonde researcher]

Where did you get confirmation that each school is given 100 million for each teacher? Where did you get confirmation that a full 30 million is available to be put to a housing deposit? This 30 million amount seems extremely high and may be applicable in inner Seoul but in Gyeonggi ???
Please name your source - website etc for these amounts

[depth]

approx 100million - from dave's esl cafe (posted on forum by a member),

30million key money - korvia.com from a postiion available they posted in 2007 before the new 2008 GEPIK contracts were created. as well as numerous posts here at dave's confirming was given key money up to 25million plus housing allowance 300,000.

the point on the key money was that although it is not written into the 2008 contracts, it seems it is still possible through negotiation...which was why i was asking for advice on how to get.

Mi Yum mi's advice is sound - put in a good year's work then negotiate key money.

until GEPIK outright confirms otherwise, i'm happy with accepting information on both fronts as accurate.

do you want to follow up with GEPIK and let the board know if any different?

[icnelly]

[mrsquirrel]

30million for a poor school out in the country?

I think maybe you are a bit confused here.

However you appear to know what you are talking about and just came here to ask a question and not listen to any of the answers you don't like.

Not much new there.

Welcome to Dave's Cafe where people come to ask advice and then tell you to *beep* off when they don't like it.

[depth]

icnelly - fair enough, if you say so, who am i to argue?

after doing a good job for at least a year, i'd be happy even at 10million key money plus 300,000 housing allowance -i'm sure this would be 'reasonable' to negotiate, if only 40-60million is provided upfront as you say ...plus with another 300 000 of my own money toward rent, it would still get me a bigger sized apartment than the one GEPIK offers.

mrsquirrel - better to flesh out ideas here than with employer - agreed i've gone a bit over the top...though, i do believe this discussion may contribute to improving teachers' negotiation positions and so, is beneficial for the board ...thank you all for being patient

[mrsquirrel]

If you actually read the clause in your contract it says that no alternatives will be provided. So if your school gives you an apartment then that is what you get. If they give you money that is what you get. NO mention of key money anywhere in there.

[depth]

mrsquirrel - please refer to previous post

'the point on the key money was that although it is not written into the 2008 contracts, it seems it is still possible through negotiation...which was why i was asking for advice on how to get.'

.......

i think readers here are interested in seeing how it may be possible to negotiate a better deal.