Korean Job Discussion Forums

[taobenli]

Hi all-

My husband and I will be studying in Korea (not teaching English for the time being) and have found an apartment near the university to live in for about 7 months. The price is reasonable considering there's no key money (which I didn't want to deal with for such a short rental period), and we have seen photos of the place and had a friend visit. But it is unfurnished, only including such things as a stove and fridge. The landlord has offered to furnish the place for 500,000-1 million won (it would cost more than that but she would cover half). We will be moving far from Seoul after the 7 month period, so it wouldn't be practical to move heavy furniture. So we would be basically be renting furniture.

I have never rented in Seoul- does this furniture deal sound reasonable? Or would it be just as economical to buy second hand furniture from the English Spectrum classifieds, or even from G-Mart or something? (Keep in mind that we don't have a car to transport things). I guess it bothers me a little bit (though perhaps it shouldn't) that we would be paying for the furniture short-term and then the landlord can go ahead and continue renting the place out furnished. (But then, even if we bought our own furniture chances are good that we couldn't transport it and would have to leave it anyway).

Advice appreciated!

[teachergirltoo]

I don't think it would be worth renting. On English GMarket a person can get CHEAP furniture that looks decent. I found a wrap around leatherette couch set with ottoman for $150, and a desk set with drawers marked down to $49. Can't get much cheaper than that, and if you have to walk away from it then it is no big deal. I bought my TV, bed, appliances and every item in my apt for under $500 from English GMarket and had it delivered to my apartment. You could always resell the stuff or take what you want when you leave too.

[Jane]

Yeah, it would bother me too if I'm paying for something someone else is going to capitalize on in the future.

Furniture is cheap on Gmarket, and it's normal to get furniture delivered. At the end, you can sell the furniture on an internet buy and sell forum and recoup some of the cost.

[Ruthdes]

To me, it would depend what you were getting for your money. If you're just getting a bed, a table, a couple of chairs and a washing machine, it's not worth it. Throw in a wardrobe, a microwave oven, a couch, plates, cutlery, cooking pots, utensils, a fan, shelving, a TV, and drawers, and you'll spend more than 500,000 on that. Do you have air con? That'll set you back at least 3-400,000 for a studio. edit..then again unless you're getting here before the end of August, you probably won't need aircon

I furnished my apartment myself and have spent over 500,000. I do have a queen sized bed with a decent mattress (about 300,000 delivered from a local shop), and I had to buy the fridge myself (100,000 delivered from auction.co.kr), 60,000 (auction.co.kr) for the washing machine delivered, etc. I have also got a whole heap of stuff for free off the street and from friends who were leaving. And getting rid of stuff when you leave doesn't seem to be as easy as you would think, I've seen people have a lot of trouble. I hope that when I leave, someone will take my apartment as-is, and pay me for my furniture.

So, my opinion is, see what they're offering and don't underestimate the hassle of getting rid of stuff when you leave.[/i]