Korean Job Discussion Forums

[spencer23]

Hi,

After over 12 months of reading this site daily, I have only just registered. What I wanted to know is what I should expect to pay for a 1-2 bedroom apartment (officetel, villa etc) in Busan? My fiance and I have been offered a position in Busan (we are currently in Australia) and the position doesn't include housing, although the hagwon will pay up to 7 million key money.

Will 400,000- 500,000 per month get us something bigger then a shoebox around Haeundae ?

Also is there any websites that we should looking at to start our search?

Thanks
DAVE

[Wrench]

[sjk1128]

http://www.wolse.com/
http://house.findall.co.kr/Sell/Sellinfo_list.asp?Page=4&TPage=15&HotCount=0

These sites will give you an idea of how much they cost. It's all in Korean, so you'll have to work a little. In my search, I found that most of the apartments were no longer available. The agents will show you similarly priced apartments if you give them your range. You should be able to get 25 pyong or better for the money you're talking about. That's huge by Korean standards. (Beware, though; sometimes they include the parking space and even the ELEVATOR when they calculate the size. All 25 pyong apts are not equal.) Most agents don't speak English.

[kat2]

When I was looking last summer, we looked at an older (5-10 years) APT that was 3 bedroom, sea view, etc. 5 mil key money, 500,000 a month rent. You would have to furnish your own appliances though.
We ended up going with a smaller place that was closer to the ocean and had all the appliances built in for the same price. It has a living/kitchen and a separate bedrroom.
You'll be fine. Don't let a realtor tell you all you can afford is some shoebox officetel for that. You can get a nice place.