Korean Job Discussion Forums

[methdxman]

Hi guys,

Moving to Seoul in a little over a month. A bit of background info:

28 year-old Gyopo, grew up in the US, going back to Korea for 18 months for work. I'm only living in Seoul for 18 months so I would like to "enjoy" my stay in a nice neighborhood and in a nice apartment, if possible.

My max budget is 2mil KRW a month, either 1 or 2 bedroom (preferably 2). My work is in Yeok-sam dong, so I'd like to be reasonably close. I would like it to be very modern, furnished and in a cool area.

My question is, what neighborhoods should I go for and can I realistically find what I want for my budget?

Any help would be appreciated!

[laguna]

[optik404]

I'm assuming you already know about the deposit you have to put down.

Just live in Kangnam, close to work and you'll def find a nice place for 2mil. Although 2mil for a place North of the Han River would be much nicer, just cause its cheaper up here

[methdxman]

[PRagic]

Modern and furnished in a cool neighborhood for 2K a month? Hmmm.

Also, you're only going to be here for 1.5 years. Most leases are 1 year or 2 year, with 2 years being the norm. If you move out before 2 years, you have to pay the real estate fees to relet the place, and you won't get your deposit back until someone else moves in. Something to consider.

In your price range, you might be able to come by a decent, even more modern-styled 'Villa', but odds are it will not be furnished. You can easily pick up great furniture at 'recycle places' (new stuff, or practically new for a fraction of retail here, which is insane). Sell the stuff on the way out.

I think there are short-term efficiencies in Kangnam, but those are the places that most expats make fun of. Total rip offs.

Please DO NOT BOTHER WITH INTERNET REAL ESTATE SITES! TOTAL WASTE OF TIME! Get here, get some temp housing, and walk around.

[red_devil]

[PRagic]

Sure, but the downside to apartments and officitels here is that you flush a bunch of money down the crapper every month in 'maintenance fees'.

One other option would be to look for a unit on the top floor of a building, usually where the owner once lived. They tend to be larger and more polished, and run cheaper than apartments (plus no or very low maintenance fees). These are tougher to find, but are great if you can get them depending on the shape they're in.

[isthisreally]

This is going to depend on what your idea of nice and fun is, but I highly recommend living at either Hongdae station or Gangnam station. It is incredibly nice to have everyone, friends, dates, whatever meet you at your station. This is what will happen if you live at one of these places. You will just walk 10 minutes and be in one of the central areas of Seoul. There are clubs, bars etc and no taxi home late at night. You can also get girls to your apartment much easier. For you it'd probably be Gangnam because you are working at Yeoksam.

I have preferences for the other kind of nice too. One of my favorite areas is near Hapjeong station. Small coffee shops with character, art galleries, quiet and trees.
http://local.daum.net/map/index.jsp?wx=481805&wy=1125166&level=3&panoid=4261154&zoom=0&pan=292.94854600209703&tilt=-4.17781725616226&poi=false&map_type=TYPE_SKYVIEW&map_hybrid=true&map_attribute=ROADVIEW&screenMode=normal

I also really like apgujeong station. especially around this area:
http://local.daum.net/map/index.jsp?wx=507061&wy=1117529&level=3&panoid=4392714&zoom=0&pan=239.93455798489936&tilt=6.183169539120146&poi=false&map_type=TYPE_SKYVIEW&map_hybrid=true&map_attribute=ROADVIEW&screenMode=normal

Since you don't seem to know Seoul well, I highly recommend you show up at Gangnam station, find a budongsan 부동산 tell them your budget and let them show you around. Live near the subway entrance, but a little back and away from the noise and you will be very happy for it.

[methdxman]

[jlee83]

If you can put down 20m key money + 2m/month, you really don't have to worry about finding a nice place.

You'll have plenty of options, anywhere, even in high price areas like Gangnam.

Even 10m key + 2m/month will get you a really, really nice/big/upscale/modern officetel or 1 room in a luxury brand name apartment.

Wish I was in your shoes, haha.

Check my other thread (also in General Discussion) to get an idea of what a 10m + 1.1m/month can get you.

[isthisreally]