Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Muffin]

I am looking for work again because my hagwon was sold suddenly and I don't know if I want to work for the new owners. I would prefer to teach adults but many adult academies give a housing allowance instead of an apartment (I currently have a 3 bedroom apartment provided!). The problem is being fairly new here I have no idea what I should accept as a housing allowance. A 3 bedroom apartment is not necessary but on the other hand I don't want to live in a hut or a shoe box.

[prairieboy]

It depends alot on where you live and work. If you live in Seoul, then provided housing is likely to be small unless you want to share with others. The housing prices in Seoul are very steep and you've really got to put some time and effort into finding a decent place.

Most employers offer housing allowances that are lower than the monthly rent on the places they provide because they want you to choose their housing, making you more dependant on the company.

If you've got a group of friends and you can scrounge up the deposit money then lump your individual allowances together and get a decent 2 or three bedroom apartment.

Again, it depends alot on where you want to live so until you tell us that, it's not likely that anyone will hazard a guess as to what would be reasonable.

Cheers and good luck.

[Aussiekimchi]

I had only ever heard of 300 a month allowance until a few days ago when I heard some teachers are getting 500 a month in Gangnam and Apgujeong.
Either way, it does not cover the rent.

[poof]

The sky's the limit on this one. You don't say where you are based, so that doesn't help us to respond.

Some stats:
Itaewon, Seoul - you can get an apartment within 2 mill deposit and within 400,000 per month. Sometimes less.
Gangnam, Seoul - there's no limit to how much deposit and rent you could be paying.
Officetel - you pay typically 10 mill deposit and about 500,000 per month rent.
Yeogwan in Seoul - from 700,000 a month.
Goshiwon or oneroom - pay from as little as 200,000 per month with no deposit and all facilities provided.
Share an apartment - prices could be about 400,000 a month.
Outside of Seoul, range is huge. You could get a nice place in a small city for much lower rent than Seoul. Also, age of apartment affects cost a lot.

Perhaps you might consider negotiating that your employer pays deposit money rather than monthly rent - depends on your situation. Otherwise, anything less than 500,000 per month would be pretty paltry for covering rent.

[Son Deureo!]

Crappy one room "villa" in Shinchon?

About 5 mil down, 400K/mo.

[Muffin]

Thanks for the info, it's as I suspected, the apparently high salaries that go with these jobs will be spent topping up the rent.

The reason I wasn't specific about location is that I have been looking for jobs both in and outside of Seoul.