Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Freakstar]

If you live in Hongdae/ Sinchon/ Ewha area or have lived in the area before, how did you find your apartment and do you mind if I PM you with questions? How much can I expect to pay for a roomy officetel or one bedroom?

I walked into a Boodongsan office in Hongdae and the guy showed me a crappy officetel that they were asking way too much for. I don't mind paying more for a nicer place, but I gotta feel that it's worth the extra 100K or 200K a month to live in the area. I really like the area and it's close to my place of work. I also keep hearing/ reading how the area is a good place to live for expats - central location with a nice mix of cafes, restaurants and nightlife.

Gangnam area blows. Overpriced and overrated.

[Harpeau]

[Tony_Balony]

I have a buddy that had a really nice place for W600.000 in Sinchon and I envied him. I think you need to look a little more.

[Freakstar]

[RACETRAITOR]

One of my friends lives in an apartment that's intended for foreign artists. It's small and dumpy and he probably does pay about 600 a month.

I lived there for half a year and but it was because I moved in with my girlfriend. Well, there's always that.

[Freakstar]

[faster]

I lived in Hongdae and Hapjeong my first 4 1/2 years in Korea. Place is sorta going downhill...turning into a real Itaewon/Gangnam hybrid.

[SuperHero]

been living in Ewha area for 9 years - but I'm with my family and put a large amount down on our apartment. Will be moving to a newer apartment in two weeks, but will definitely miss the restaurants and shopping in Ewha.

no PMs please.

[samd]

It's not worth the extra money. I spent a lot of time there last year, and apart from a wider selection of bars and a few more foreigners around, it's not too much different from anywhere else in Seoul.

Family Mart, WAbar, Baskin Robbins, Outback, Starbucks, Kimbabcheonguk, Buy the Way etc. etc. ad nauseum.

If you want to go out in Hongdae/Sinchon a lot just find a place in an area with a short bus or subway trip.

[Tiger Beer]

[PRagic]

Tiger hit the nail on the head. Have to hit every single real estate place. They all have different listings. You could try the HapJong and SangSu areas, too. You get proximity to the Han River and HongDae, but not so much of the noise.

We're looking at buying a place around Hapjong/Hongdae, and I can tell you that prices are up a lot from just a year or two ago. Imagine that means rentals are going up, too. We're in a big chunsae now, and had thought about going bigger. None out there! We pretty much have to buy.

[seoulsucker]

I lived in the 르메이에르 LeMelliure? Officetel building last year, right next to the Artreon Theater between Sinchon and Ewha. Paid a 5 mil deposit and 350,000 a month for rent, with around 150,000 a month in building fees and utilities.

It's clean, convenient, and relatively cheap. There are about 3 or 4 of the buildings surrounding the Sinchon Rotary. Not a bad place to live.

[Tiger Beer]

[faster]

I was in Hapjeong for 2 years. Great place to live - 2 subway lines (2 & 6) easy walk to Hongdae & the rive (Seonyudo park is great), and relatively quiet. A giant high-rise ruined my view though, so I had to get moving.

[hogwonguy1979]

I'm near Sangsu station and love it, think my chunsae was 85mill but my univ paid it for a 2 bedroom place. Really hope i can keep this place if things work out on my next contract. thing is the manager (???) really likes us because we are quiet and keep the place perfect

What I've heard is 2 things about the area, south of line 6 (near the river) where the buildings are older tends to be cheaper as its not in "Hongdae" thats where I live and its still close enough to things.

Also like faster has said if you go towards Hapjeong and even Magwon stations you may be able to find stuff. they are both fairly close to Hongdae

forget about finding a place between line 2 and Hongik Univ and line 6, those prices are nuts