Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
apartment blocks in Jeollanamdo
Many complexes also charge tenants a management fee that supposedly covers the costs
of building security and maintenance as well as heating and cooling if both are provided
centrally. These can vary greatly, so make sure they're spelled out specifically in any rental
contracts.
All in all, if you are not opting for the full-deposit system in which you pay a lump some
up front and no monthly rent, expatriates should plan on spending at least 1.5-2 million won
per month for a fairly spacious, partially furnished two-bedroom unit in a centrally located
apartment complex in Seoul; that amount would go substantially farther in other cities.
Villa
is one of those adopted foreign-language terms that has taken on a rather different
meaning in Korean. Anyone for whom the word conjures up images of a luxurious country
house may be in for some disappointment; in South Korea it's a sort of catchall phrase for
smaller apartment buildings or private homes carved up into apartment units. These are usu-
ally no more than three or four stories with one or two units on each floor, and they vary sig-
nificantly in terms of quality, from cramped basement studios to spanking new penthouses
