Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Sapa]

I am just wondering what type of accomodation you got in Seoul if you came over working for the same school with your partner or friend? Did you get a two bedroom place or just a larger studio apartment or perhaps they just tried to squeeze the two of you into a single apartment and save themselves 400,000 Won or so, a month.
I am trying to just see what is reasonable to expect. I would hope that you get a place that is roughly 2 x the value of the normal single studio apartment but I imagine it doesn't quite work out like that with alot of hagwon bosses!

[Sapa]

bump

[linton]

Hello,

My girlfriend and I will be moving into an apartment together in September. We will live in Seoul... and this is what I have learned. An apartment is big money in Seoul and if you let the school pick it, it is a crap shoot (what you will get). So, I will take a housing allowance and pay my own key money. We are looking at 10 million key money and 800 to 900k a month rent. We are hoping to get a 2-bedroom with a small living room.

Hope this helps.

[jellobean]

In Seoul, you may be better off taking a housing allowance x 2 because they certainly will try to save on the cost.

[cedarseoul]

we may be the exception...

but my hakwon (a poly) provided my wife and i with a very spacious, double room apartment. the main bedroom and living room are quite large, and the guest bedroom serves as a kind of den; we have a nice balcony and a laundry room as well.

[ciccone_youth]

we got this BIG apartment: three bedrooms, a living room, kitchen and roomy bathroom.

the downside: it's a s h i t hole.

[Sapa]

How would you even go about organising your own accommodation though? I presume it would mean flying out on your own money beforehand and organising it all weeks in advance of your contract starting?

[valkerie]

Most places will let you live in their place first and then move out down the line. (Best to check.)

Potential problem may be that you have to sign up for a new place for a year.

Not all places need a lot (or even any) deposit/key money. Depends where you want to live. Do you have jobs yet? (Sorry if I missed that info.) I know a few couples who live near Itaewon and have nice (and good sized) apartments for a few million down and 350.000 ish a month.

[Figure8]

I've been asking about couples' housing in other threads for Seoul, specifically, the SMOE program. Any of you work for the public schools and requested housing with another person you know/spouse/girlfriend/boyfriend, etc.? If you worked for the public schools, would they provide key money and allowance to get your own place together?

[eac02]