Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cdninkorea]

My wife and I are going to be looking for a new place to live early next year, and we're having some trouble deciding what to do. Right now we're in a two bedroom 월세 place in a six-storey building, and while I think it's okay, my wife hates it because it's on a side street that's dark at night (she's worried about safety) and especially because she hates paying rent every month.

What do you guys think: How much key money is enough for a decent apartment in Seoul? We're willing to move to the northern, eastern, or north-eastern regions and even outskirts of the city (not elsewhere, since we both work in that area). My wife would prefer an 아파트, but another option is a 빌라 if it's not on a narrow, dimly-lit street and if the building is decent. The problem is most of the 빌라s I see are pretty awful looking, and the cigarrette-strewn, phlegm-covered 골목s they're on make even me nervous of being mugged at night.

Is it possible to find a well-maintained 빌라 on a side street that's well-lit at night and within 1 km of a subway station? Or is an 아파트, despite the higher price, the best way to go regarding safety and all that?

Also, if it's relevent, we don't have any children, so a two bedroom place is enough.