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ellamarie
Joined: 16 Mar 2006
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 Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 1:40 pm Post subject: No oven? No bathtub? |
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| I have heard dirty rumours that apartments in Korea don't necessarily come with an oven or a bathtub. Is this true? The bathtub situation can probably be remedied by a trip to the bathhouse but can I buy an oven? Are there any other items that generally come standard in western or at least US apartments that do not come in Korean apartments? |
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SuperHero
Joined: 10 Dec 2003
Location: Superhero Hideout
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| Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 1:59 pm Post subject: Re: No oven? No bathtub? |
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| ellamarie wrote: |
| Are there any other items that generally come standard in western or at least US apartments that do not come in Korean apartments? |
I assume you consider the netherlands a western country - floors don't come standard there - you have to buy and get it installed at your own expense when moving. Anyhow fortunately for you in Korea floors come standard. |
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denverdeath
Joined: 21 May 2005
Location: Boo-sahn
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| Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 2:07 pm Post subject: |
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Carpeting? Windows that can easily be removed for cleaning? Windows that usu keep the mosquitos and cold out? Insulation(for cold and sound)? Paint on the ceilings rather than wallpaper? Some kind of lights other than fluorescent ones? Quiet neighbours? A dryer to go with that washer? Just kidding...a little.
Some places will have baths, and some will have ovens. Rare though. I haven't had a bath in about 10 years.    
You can buy an oven if necessary, but space in your apt could be a problem. Most places that are offered to foreign teachers are small and come with a two- or three-burner stove. |
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SuperHero
Joined: 10 Dec 2003
Location: Superhero Hideout
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| Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 2:13 pm Post subject: |
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| denverdeath wrote: |
| Carpeting? |
why would you want carpeting - it's a bitch to clean and is ugly besides
| denverdeath wrote: |
| Windows that can easily be removed for cleaning? |
yes this would be good
| denverdeath wrote: |
| Windows that usu keep the mosquitos and cold out? Insulation(for cold and sound)? |
I have screen windows - no problem, however better insulation would be good.
| denverdeath wrote: |
| Paint on the ceilings rather than wallpaper? |
I kind of like the purple flowers on the ceiling:roll: [/quote]
| denverdeath wrote: |
| Some kind of lights other than fluorescent ones? Quiet neighbours? |
that would be nice
| denverdeath wrote: |
| A dryer to go with that washer? Just kidding...a little. |
you can buy combo units now at a very reasonable price - I did about 3 months ago.
| Quote: |
| Some places will have baths, and some will have ovens. |
most apartments come with a bath (주택 and villa's usually don't) - have yet to hear of a place that came with an oven though. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 2:19 pm Post subject: Re: No oven? No bathtub? |
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| ellamarie wrote: |
| I have heard dirty rumours that apartments in Korea don't necessarily come with an oven or a bathtub. Is this true? The bathtub situation can probably be remedied by a trip to the bathhouse but can I buy an oven? Are there any other items that generally come standard in western or at least US apartments that do not come in Korean apartments? |
It is not a rumor.... IT IS TRUE. 99% of villas or officetels do NOT have a tub or oven. This is the usual single / non-shared housing that schools get for their foreign teachers. Larger apartments (read shared housing) MAY have a tub but still rarely have an oven.
They will have some kind of shower thing in the bathroom and typically a 2-burner counter-top gas range.
Toaster ovens can be found at the local department store and an inexpensive microwave can be had for about 70,000 won.
Last edited by ttompatz on Tue Oct 24, 2006 5:51 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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denverdeath
Joined: 21 May 2005
Location: Boo-sahn
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| Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 2:27 pm Post subject: |
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| SuperHero wrote: |
| denverdeath wrote: |
| Carpeting? |
why would you want carpeting - it's a *beep* to clean and is ugly besides |
I used to enjoy sprawling out on the floor on the carpet while watching TV...
| SuperHero wrote: |
| denverdeath wrote: |
| Windows that usu keep the mosquitos and cold out? Insulation(for cold and sound)? |
I have screen windows - no problem, however better insulation would be good. |
I had a cat that ripped my screens to shreads. They'll have to be re-screened yet again in the next couple of weeks.
| SuperHero wrote: |
| denverdeath wrote: |
| A dryer to go with that washer? Just kidding...a little. |
you can buy combo units now at a very reasonable price - I did about 3 months ago. |
Our new place is supposed to have one of those combo units...though in the model apt, it looked bloody small.
| SuperHero wrote: |
| denverdeath wrote: |
| Some places will have baths, and some will have ovens. |
most apartments come with a bath (주택 and villa's usually don't) - have yet to hear of a place that came with an oven though. |
Our new place is supposed to have an oven as well. Can't wait to make my first pan of french fries, or, something... |
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justagirl
Joined: 17 Jan 2003
Location: Cheonan/Portland
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| Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 3:27 pm Post subject: |
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Definitely be aware that you won't have a clothes dryer either. You will hang-dry everything for an entire year (or however long you stay)
So, just a recap...you'll basically find:
no stove
no bathtub
no clothes dryer
no carpet |
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Holyjoe
Joined: 03 Mar 2003
Location: Away for a cuppa
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| Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 3:32 pm Post subject: |
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| SuperHero wrote: |
| most apartments come with a bath (주택 and villa's usually don't) - have yet to hear of a place that came with an oven though. |
Ours came with an oven... or rather there was a big space in the kitchen with the option of having either an oven or a gimchi refrigerator installed to fill it (it's a brand new apartment complex, which helped).
Missus wanted the gimchi refrigerator, I wanted the oven. I won.
Bake-tastic. |
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JongnoGuru
Joined: 25 May 2004
Location: peeing on your doorstep
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| Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 3:32 pm Post subject: Re: No oven? No bathtub? |
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| ellamarie wrote: |
| Are there any other items that generally come standard in western or at least US apartments that do not come in Korean apartments? |
Space.
Korean "one-rooms" & "officetels" are about the size of a hotel room.
When was the last time you lived, slept, bathed, XXXed, cooked, read, worked, studied, resolved problems, soul-searched, kicked back, partied and unleashed beautiful cascades of emotions... all within 4 small walls?
Last edited by JongnoGuru on Wed May 17, 2006 4:49 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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princess
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: soul of Asia
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| Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 3:37 pm Post subject: |
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Usually, it's not a rumor. Many Koreans have the bathtubs removed when they move into a place that ha a tub. But, check into a hotel/motel from time to time for your bathtub indulging.
Buy an oven.
Get earplugs for noisy, coughing/horking neighbors/veggie trucks.
Turn your phione off at night.
Then, you'll be fine^^
P.S. I had a bathtub in Korea these past 2 years. But, I had 2 roommates. Usually, it's a tub and roommates or no roommates/no tub. I got lucky one year in Deachi though...no roommates AND a tub. Heaven on Earth! |
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gypsyfish
Joined: 17 Jan 2003
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 4:24 pm Post subject: Re: No oven? No bathtub? |
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| ellamarie wrote: |
| ... The bathtub situation can probably be remedied by a trip to the bathhouse but can I buy an oven? ... |
Sad to say, but foreigners are prohibited from buying ovens. |
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JongnoGuru
Joined: 25 May 2004
Location: peeing on your doorstep
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| Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 4:30 pm Post subject: Re: No oven? No bathtub? |
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| gypsyfish wrote: |
| ellamarie wrote: |
| ... The bathtub situation can probably be remedied by a trip to the bathhouse but can I buy an oven? ... |
Sad to say, but foreigners are prohibited from buying ovens. |
That's right. And it is sad. Recent changes in the law make it illegal for us to buy, install, and operate ovens. I think those foreigners who currently own ovens have to report that fact to Immigration authorities and arrange a collection date. 
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 4:36 pm Post subject: |
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It's funny how so many hogwans really want female staff but don't realise how a few minor renovations to their housing could be such a selling point.
As for ovens, they're easy enough to buy - my friend has a combination convection / microwave oven that works very well, though it's too small for something like a turkey. They'll deliver right to your door. If you're going to be there for a year and you like to cook it will probably be a very good W300,000 investment.
As for public bath houses (jimjilbangs), I don't know what the women's sides are like but if they're anything like the men's you'll probably have way too many crammed into the one tub that's the right temperature and a bunch of naked children splashing around; actual soaping down is done at a shower or sitting at the side of the tub. If you're well endowed you may also get some unwanted attention. You'd probably prefer paying for a yeogwan (love hotel) that has a proper bath tub. |
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seoulsucker
Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Location: The Land of the Hesitant Cutoff
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| Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 4:37 pm Post subject: |
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| justagirl wrote: |
| Definitely be aware that you won't have a clothes dryer either. You will hang-dry everything for an entire year (or however long you stay) |
Or just find a 발래방 (laundromat) close to your house. I didn't even know these existed until a while ago, but there are actually quite a few of these scattered across the city.
They have washers, dryers, and (GASP!) fabric softener sheets. Costs about $4 for a (HUGE) load of laundry, but it's well worth it to have nice, hot, fluffy clothes instead of crusty-a$$ line dried $hit. |
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I_Am_Wrong
Joined: 14 Sep 2004
Location: whatever
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| Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 4:52 pm Post subject: |
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| princess wrote: |
Usually, it's not a rumor. Many Koreans have the bathtubs removed when they move into a place that ha a tub. But, check into a hotel/motel from time to time for your bathtub indulging.
Buy an oven.
Get earplugs for noisy, coughing/horking neighbors/veggie trucks.
Turn your phione off at night.
Then, you'll be fine^^
P.S. I had a bathtub in Korea these past 2 years. But, I had 2 roommates. Usually, it's a tub and roommates or no roommates/no tub. I got lucky one year in Deachi though...no roommates AND a tub. Heaven on Earth! |
I'm willing to bet you've never even been inside a Korean's apartment |
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