Korean Job Discussion Forums

lostinseoul77777 · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul, Gangnam

I'm looking to relocate to the Hongdae area. Can anyone recommend a nice Offficetel building or an apartment complex. I like to be near the Hongdae subway station and close to all the action. Thanks.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Just go to HongDae and ask at one of the hundred or so real estate agencies in the area. There are one-rooms, two-rooms, and officitels galore, and depending on how much you can spend, some are pretty nice places. It's not a cheap area, though.

lostinseoul77777 · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul, Gangnam

Thanks. I guess I should have been more specific.

Can anyone tell me couple of the highest end, best officetels in Hongdae area that's close to all the action. As far as it being expensive there, I live currently live in Gangnam so it's expensive here as well.

hogwonguy1979 · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: the racoon den

there is an officetel almost across the street from the Seokyo hotel, its on the main corner across from the gas station. Building looks new so it may be what you are looking for, theres a SC bank in the lobby.

think there are some near Sangsu station where I live, there are a couple of new buildings near here so check there

I'd say its as close to the action as you can get

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

The best one is called 'Paradise', and it is right next to the subway station. Yes, being specific helps. Look at spending about 1 million a month or thereabouts for rent, plus your regular fees. Not too bad, I guess, once you think about it. You could find better/bigger places, though, around HongDae for that much. However, you seem to actually want to live in an officitel.

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep

Mashimaro · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Location: location, location

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

I've been in them all. Go check them out in person. A 'pyung' is not the same in every officitel. The Paradise has tall ceilings, and floor to ceiling windows. Their units have better layouts and are bigger, no matter what 'pyung' other places say they provide. Some of the units also have a loft, which would come in pretty handy if you were living there. You could crash up there and use the bottom as your living room.

I would never live in an officitel, but to each their own. I've just been around to look at office space.

OP, take some time looking around HongDae. Go to the PokDokBang, a lot of them, and tell them what you want. If you are used to KangNam prices and sizes, you might be pleasantly surprised at what you can get. There isn't too big of a cost difference, but there are some really unique places in HongDae.

cdninkorea · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

How would one "go and look around" if they don't speak Korean? Do the real estate agents around there speak English? How does one even go about finding the landlord of a building?

Yaya · Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Location: Seoul

The problem with officetels is gwalibee, or monthly fees. They can add up to 200,000 won to your rent.

Plus, find out what the actual living space is, or SHIL pyeong (실평). The area includes the space in front of your entrance and stuff, so say a place that is 18 pyeong could have a shil pyeong of 13.

If you don't mind going out a little further, the Hapjeong area has a lot of bargains, and is close enough to Hongdae.

billybrobby · Joined: 09 Dec 2004

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

If you don't speak Korean and understand the proceedures here, then, yes, of course you should go with a Korean. Thought that was a no-brainer.

I also agree that the OP may want to look around the HapJeong sbwy area, as well as SangSu. These tend to be a bit quieter and, believe it or not, even closer to 'the action' in HongDae than the offictels IN Hongdae! Depends on what you want.

In my experience, the 'ShilPyung' method doesn't work either. You really have to walk in and see a place to get a feel for the relative size. Your pyung encompasses parking, elevator, halls...you name it, and they all measure up differently.

Can't believe I'm posting about officitels. I always felt sorry for people living in them.

Yaya · Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Location: Seoul

If you want reliable water and heating, then officetels are for you. Otherwise, get a cheaper place that won't sap you of funds. Part of the gwalibee goes to pay the old men who "guard" the entrance, and I'd say they're pretty useless on average.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

For what they cost, there is no reason you can't get a place with quite reliable heating and water. Also, for the most part, you'll get more space for your money's worth. It's the OP's call. Just my 2 cents.

lostinseoul77777 · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul, Gangnam

Thanks everyone for the info. I know there are positives and negatives of an officetel but I find it convenient because I travel alot and I don't really need to worry about leaving the place empty for weeks on end since there is security 24/7. Also, since most of my neighbors are businesses, it's very quiet during evenings and weekends, which I like. And for the price, it's officetels are cleaner and more convenient (i.e. a/c, water heater, heater, etc.) than apartments and "one rooms". Just my two cents.