Korean Job Discussion Forums

[fhade]

Hi, I'll be moving to Korea for a year and the following accomodations were recommended by my employer.

Multihouse
http://www.ss.emultihouse.net/personal.html

The Sharpe Residence
http://www.sharpresidence.co.kr/sub03.html

Moxenhouse
http://www.moxenhouse.com/

Wanted to find out if anyone here have stayed in them and can share their experience?
Also if anyone know how much is the monthly utility bill for these places that would be great. Saw a thread on high bill in officetels.

thanks,

[samd]

What kind of job are you going to be doing?

If you are teaching at a hagwon or public school these are far below what you should consider - they are "one rooms", commonly known as goshiwons (google it) and not apartments. As nice as they look, they will be tiny, noisy, maybe smelly, and you share a kitchen and laundry facilities.

The multihouse place looks to have larger rooms with their own kitchens and washing machines, but don't be fooled - they are not real apartments, and unacceptable for a ESL teacher.

Also, for places this new in the Gangnam area, you are looking at paying over 500,000 a month, and maybe over 600,000, which is expensive. I stayed in one in Nonhyeon-dong which looked worse than the ones you linked to, and it was 570,000 a month.

[curiousaboutkorea]

Moxenhouse comes up as a reported attack site, so I won't be checking on that.

However, the other two, are just plain pathetic. Apartments like that are pitiful. Unless you're getting a huge salary

Where's the kitchen in these places? Did you see how tiny the refrigerator is? You're not going to be able to have any people over (forget about that friend from back home coming to visit and stay with you). These are not typical of officetels. You can surely get a decent officetel with the basic amenities and room to stretch and have over a couple friends.

Don't take these. Where are you working?

[fhade]

Looking at you tube video on goshiwons atm . Anyway I am going over on a training attachment with an animation studio.

[PigeonFart]

Agreed. Those places are not proper officetels. They are far below the standard provided by most hogwons/public schools. I've lived in a few places, and visited a few places, and i've never met any teacher who lives in a place that small.

I'd imagine the walls are paper thin too. Don't accept this housing. Keep looking.

[reactionary]

i lived in one of those barely larger than that. it was small as hell, but in retrospect, it was only really annoying because i had a girlfriend. still, if they are paying for your housing, you would do better to ask for something else. employers seem to think we love "officetels"/"goshitels" even when they are small and at ripoff prices....I'd generally prefer an older, "dirtier" but larger villa. however, in that case, the employer might have to buy a refrigerator or a washing machine, so that might be why they are suggesting these. you might consider commuting to get out of overpriced gangnam.

[kyopoopa]

[Hamlet]

fhade,
Like another poster said, these are not officetels. They are goshiwans. They are used for short-term stays/marathon-length study sessions.

You do not want to live in one of these for a full year!

...but

1. They do come furnished, and if you get any other kind of apt. you'll have to buy a bed, fridge, couch, TV, etc.

2. You don't have to get utilities, Internet set up in your name. They are already there.

2. They require no deposit, called key money. Almost all officetells require a deposit of nearly 10,000 USD.

You do have the option of moving to Haebangchon/Iteawon and getting an old apt. for about $3000--$5000 deposit plus $400-$700 per month (one year lease is usually minimum.)

Will you have at least 5000 USD in hand when you get here (3000 key money, 500 first months rent, 1500 living expenses and extra cash)? If not, the goshiwan may not be a bad option.

Goshiwans are tiny and have no privacy but are convenient, turn key places to live.

[curiousaboutkorea]

I forgot to ask something very important. Is your employer providing the apartment, or you?

[fhade]

Thanks for all the info!. Looking at Itaewon apartment there seems cheaper and definitely bigger.

Anyway I get a living allowance which is up to me how to spend it so a cheap place will be good.