Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
On the lower end of the scale,
goshiwon
and
hasukjip,
the former a sort of dormitory and
the latter a type of homestay, target students and low-income earners with monthly rents of
around 500,000 won or less. Both are typically concentrated in student districts and offer
very small private rooms with shared bathing and kitchen facilities, with
hasukjip
owners
often providing meals. These can be good value but are far from luxurious and will gener-
ally appeal only to a struggling single person.
While it's by no means mandatory, most new arrivals to South Korea find themselves either
using real estate agents (
budongsan
) appointed by their companies or engaging their own.
Online classified sites such as Craigslist will carry the occasional listing from a landlord
or foreign residents looking for someone to take over a lease, but the amount of housing
advertised directly by owners is pretty limited. Agents generally know their stuff and don't
cost an awful lot, so there's no need to shy away from using one.
The recommended procedure in South Korea is to pick an area first and then an agent
or two who specialize in it. If at all possible, don't commit to any housing before you put
your feet on the ground and have had a chance to explore a few neighborhoods or living
locations relatively thoroughly. Try to arrange temporary accommodations for a few weeks
after you arrive to give yourself some time to look around.
