Korean Job Discussion Forums

[daveeslcafe888]

Hi Everyone,

My place of employment offers me a 700,000 housing allowance (and at least 5 million key money). Given how naive I am about this whole process, I could use your guys' advice:

My place of employment is in Gangnam; thus, my priority is to have something very close to work (even if it is a simple one room studio apartment).

Option 1: Spend all 700,000 of the money for a simple apartment in Gangnam

Option 2: Spend all of the 700,000 for a place in some other part of Seoul, and commute to work each day. It will probably be a nicer place, but not in the middle of the action.

Option 3: Spend less of the money on a modest place outside of Gangnam and save the difference. (It seems several teachers there are doing this; however, there runs the risk of the school changing the policy and having me stuck with a lesser place and no savings).

Thanks for the consideration (all your replies for other posts are really informing me).

[flakfizer]

I knew some army folks who also got a housing allowance (much more than 700,000 of course) but the policy of the military was that they would not give them the money, they would pay for all their rent (up to a certain amount) and would not pay any more than the rent. So, the military folks I knew all decided to go for places where rent included utilities, cable, internet etc. If you're afraid of them changing their policy if people rent places under 700,000 to save money, try to find a place that will include utilities and such in the rent. You will still save money that way even if your rent is 700,000.

[Carl_00]

[RMNC]

I would say it's best to ge a place close to work. The money you save compared to transportation costs and time costs might not be worth it.

[southernman]

[Zyzyfer]

Commuting from the upper part of Haebangchon or Gyeongnidan to Gangnam isn't the worst thing in the world. It's crowded but relatively fast. If the crowds get tiring, there's always the practically empty 9409 that zooms to Gagnam.

Check Gaggers first and try to find something you like there. Then maybe pop over to the Noksapyeong/HBC/Gyeongnidan area one day and visit a few agents. You might luck out and find something awesome, although it's becoming more and more of a crap shoot.

I wouldn't consider anywhere else, really. Go for either Gaggie and convenience or HBC/GND for potentially grungy spaciousness.

[thurst]

yeah i'mma cosign Zyzyfer on this. the HBC area is 10 mins away from gangnam and you'll get more space for your money than anywhere else in seoul from what i've seen of various people's apartments...even more so if you get a 2-3BR spot and sublet one of the rooms.

the sillim/bongcheon/SNU area is pretty inexpensive and close as well...but you're not going to find the type of space comparable to HBC.

[SeoulNate]

guess it would depend on how much time you are planning to spend on your apartment.

My preference would be to live close to the school because, depending on where you are in gangnam, it could be quite a bit more than the claimed 10 minute commute from HBC.

Anyway, you can probably find a nice, newer space for 700,000 won per month. I couldnt bear to live in HBC as most of the places that are setup for single occupancy are filthy and old (at least in your range) and I am not much one for living with roommates that I do not know.

[rumdiary]

I would say get an apartment in Isu/Chongshin University area. Very short commute and you will be able to get a very nice sized apartment for that much. The area near exit 13 behind Shin Sae Gae is very nice and there is a great outdoor market.

[Zyzyfer]

[rumdiary]