Korean Job Discussion Forums

[james_baldrey]

My best friend and i are considering working for a university in the Jeolla province and are looking at accomodation options since the uni doesnt provide apartments. Neither of us have the large amoutns of key money for apartment deposits and one of the teachers there recommended something called a "ju-taek" (korean house) - but i think you still have to pay a years rent in advance. We are happy to live together or get our own single apartments as the uni salary is more than adequate.

Having previously had accomdation provided at my old job, i was wondering if anyone could offer advice/answers to my questions...

1) Do all apartments require huge key money deposits?
2) Do most Korean houses require payment 1 year in advance?
3) How would one find apartments/houses in Gwangju before arrival?
4) What are the major benefits/problems of a Korean house?
5) Would the university be prepared to pay the key money if we accepted the jobs? (obviously i need to ask them this)

Thanks for any help/info!

[michaelambling]

[saw6436]

I would think twice before renting a house in Korea. Traditionally when you pay key money, you get it back at the end of your lease IF a new tenant is ready to occupy your apt/house. The law states you get your money back at the end of the lease but usually the landlord waits until they actually get key money from the new tenant. This practice has been challenged in court and the courts have ruled in favor of custom over law.

That being said. Koreans generally dislike living in a house. They much prefer living in apartments. So, it may be difficult for you or your landlord to find a new tenant upon your lease expiring. Your key money may be tied up for a very long time.

You will also need to have a financial analysis done on your landlord. This will tell you of the financial condition of your landlord. Its an indicator of wether or not your landlord will gamble away your key money. Or otherwise loose it. A good real-estate agent should provide that as part of their service.

[DongtanTony]

Your key money deposit can go as low as 5,000,000 won...maybe less in some cases.

The less key money...the higher your monthly rent will be...it's that simple.

Down there...you can probably get a pretty nice place for 10,000,000 down and around 600,000 per month that you both might be able to share...

Hopefully your uni gives a good housing allowance.

Good luck!!

[blackjack]

Down there you should be able to get something for a lot less than what the previous poster said.

100,000 a month is generally worth million in key money. So if you put down say five to ten million in key money and then pay around 600,000 a month you should be able to get a really nice place.

In anyang (expensive) 5 million down with 600,000 a month gets you a very nice loft. Down there the same money should get you a nice 2 bedroom villa

[D.D.]

My place is 450000 a month with no key money.

[Ya-ta Boy]

As the poster above noted, some apts are rented by the month with no key money. As far as I know though, you'd have to be here and go to a real estate agency to find one.

[D.D.]

I should have mentioned it is the school that rents it and I guess the landlord trusts they will honour the contract. Not sure they would give us the same amount of trust.

[james_baldrey]

do you think it would be possible to find an apartment without having to pay any key money?

[blackjack]

[james_baldrey]

gwangju in jeoall-nam-do province

[blackjack]

here is a goshiwon

http://www.gosi1.net/view/gosiwonview.php3?&number=3683

if you can't read korean the room size is 1.5 pyeong (5 square meters)
cost is between 18-200,000 won with shared kitchen and bathroom.

It has free internet and parking.

If you are making 2.5 a month, then between the two of you you should be able to save 5 million in 1-2 months

[james_baldrey]

does anyone know any temporary and also permanent accomodation near Chosun university?

[OiGirl]

Long-term...check with a real estate agent in the area. There are tons of them and tons of small houses and apartments in Jisan-dong.

Temporary? Well, there are some love hotels by the river.

Why don't you ask your co-workers where they are living?

[megandadam]