Korean Job Discussion Forums

[vox]

Please help with market info. My friend is coming to Korea to take a public school job and will be looking for an apartment. I know that some places offer normal rent deals sans key money arrangements. What is the average rent these days in Seoul for an apartment? Is it feasible to find something in the 300,000-400,000/mo range or is that just unrealistic?

My school covered my housing so I have no idea but I promised to help out and look around for her a bit.

[VanIslander]

Here on the island, yes.

In Seoul? I doubt it!

[SPINOZA]

[3baekwon]

3-400,000 is possible, but s/he'll most likely still need a hefty deposit to put down (I'm guessing anywhere from 5-10 million Won). In my house-hunting experience, most places required a large lump sum (that you get back) on top of the monthy rent. If you have a lot of money that you're not doing anything with, you can put that down and then not have to pay monthly rent. Since you get that back when you leave, it's like having lived there for free. I love Korea.

[vox]

[denverdeath]

Public schools can offer either housing or housing allowance. It depends on the place. It also depends on the contract you sign. In my opinion, it's probably best for a new teacher to not sign any kind of contract unless it includes single housing...one that the teacher has at least seen pictures of and asked lots of questions about. <Chronicpride> may be able to help you out by pointing you in the right direction towards one-room places that'll probably be in your friend's price/affordability range. She'll still most likely have to put some money down though, along with paying 200-500 monthly. If she's coming over here with not much money(like many of us do), she'll have to stay at a love motel or go-shi-won or with a friend for a month or so until she can come up with the necessary funds. Yes, 2.7 will probably end up being a little better than the std hakwon contract when all things are considered(hope you guys have some Koreans to help you out with contracts and negotiations and that your friend is willing to accept a lower-end place). It'll depend a lot on the place and whether she has to fight to get the deposit money back at the end of the housing contract.

[itaewonguy]

300-400 you can share a flat! with I think one month advance key money!
if you want your own place! you are looking at 500.000 for a half decent small place key money probably 1-5million.. or you might be able to swing something with the landlord!
office tels expensive! 500-800 and 5-10key..

itaewon, haebongchan might be the best bet..

or live in a love motel! 400 no key and no utility fes..

[JongnoGuru]

[huffdaddy]

[Clutch Cargo]

When I was looking a few months ago I saw a bunch of places, usually basement apartments, in Haebanchon (next to Itaewon) for between 350 - 450 thousand won per mont and 1 or 2 mil key money. Problem is usually ventilation in these places though.

http://www.edenrealty.co.kr/

[Mashimaro]

[Zyzyfer]

[inthewild]

[Gwangjuboy]

Depends on the area. Outside of Gangnam you can get an officetel for 5 million deposit, 500k rent, and 50k for the "management" fee. Some new ones in Cheonho dong just went up for that. (very nice too but not enough to tempt me put of Gangnam)

[Gwangjuboy]