Korean Job Discussion Forums

[MollyBloom]

I've been checking out craigslist, nearsubway, koreapartment, and nicerent for apartments, but they are either way out of my price range, old listings are posted, or nothing is available in the area I want to move to (near or around Sadang Station). I've navigated a bit around the naver.com apartment listings, but nothing has interested me.

This weekend I'm going to Sadang and the areas around there to check it out. I'm wondering if I should pop into some of the the local realty offices to check out what apts are listed, but I have never done that before; is it acceptable to just walk in, or do I need to make an appointment? Also, I'll need the apartment by middle Feb 2012--Am I starting my search too early? Other than the obvious questions that come with apt. hunting (size, rent, fees, key money, etc.), what other types of questions should I be asking the realtors?

Thanks!

[nathanrutledge]

try the peterpan site on naver/daum cafe.

Yes, popping into the real estate office is kosher. I went into one on a saturday afternoon with a friend looking for a commercial space. They gave us drinks, then got out a book and showed us some stuff, then walked us down to the buildings, all on the spot. That's what they do.

Also, it's not like back home - they don't have listings that OTHER people are showing, so if the one you talk to doesn't have something for you, go next door and try them. Don't settle for less than what you want, unless you've tried all the agents you can find.

As far as time frame goes, it never hurts to start early. My old apartment, the real estate people wanted to start showing it two months before I moved out. That was back in June. They still haven't found someone to move in (I requested that they call me before they showed it - they called me last week, thinking I still lived there!).

Good luck!

[cheolsu]

I think you're way too early. If you're moving in mid-February, I think you should wait at least a month. Of course, it can't hurt to start researching. I started looking in late January last year, found a place by mid-February and moved at the end of February.

I found my current place online, but I also found some others that I looked at by just walking around the neighbourhood (I moved within my neighbourhood, which helps) and looking at places that had "for rent" signs. I also called a few places that advertised on the street (eg "1000/45 10 pyung 010-1234-5678").

Korean language ability helps, but I think I also benefited from having someone introduce me in glowing terms ("he's a schoolteacher, doesn't drink, doesn't smoke, sleeps early, exercises, and he speaks Korean, so you can talk to him").

[bekinseki]

Sillim would probably be way cheaper, if you don't want to pay to be super close to Sadang.

[Jane]

Steps for finding an apartment in Korea:
1.Choose the neighborhood
2.Visit the neighborhood and go to all the real estate agents in the immediate area
3.View the different buildings, and select the one(s) you are most interested in.
4. A month and a half to a month before your moving date, visit the agents again and tell them what building and apartment size you are looking for and leave your phone number. They will then call you when one becomes available.
5. The agent will let you view the unit that will be vacant and you can choose then and there whether to put a deposit down and take it.

[Lazio]

[highstreet]

You're going way too early if you're planning to move in Feb. Places that are desirable get rented out within a week. So I would start 2nd week of Jan.