Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
is far from ideal for families but represents one of the best propositions in Seoul for the
young and cash-strapped: good eating, nonstop nightlife, and a short subway ride to the
city center, all for fairly low prices. Rents start at around 400,000 won for a no-frills stu-
dio apartment with a minimal deposit. Shared accommodations are common in this area as
well. Purchase prices for villa and standard apartment units in this district are usually in the
300-500 million won range.
While not technically part of Mapo-gu, Yeonhui-dong is a quiet residential neighbor-
hood close to Yonsei University and home to a number of expatriate families that move
there for the nearby Seoul Foreign School. It is a relatively expensive area, with 120-square-
meter three-bedroom apartments on offer for three million won per month, and stand-alone
four-bedroom houses going for twice that. As elsewhere in the city, selling prices for qual-
ity stand-alone homes will start in the one billion won range.
The ritzy Gangnam district lies just south of the Han River and has evolved into a down-
town to rival Jung-gu and Jongno-gu in the north. With its grid-like streets, posh depart-
ment stores, offices, and five-star hotels, it has a more futuristic—some would say superfi-
cial—feel than other parts of Seoul. The first major landmark after crossing the river from
the north is the shopping mecca of Apgujeong, which rivals any Western fashion center
in terms of upscale brands per square foot. Below Apgujeong are the huge COEX shop-
ping and convention complex and, just across the street, the rather incongruously located
Bongeunsa Buddhist Temple. Two of Seoul's main intercity bus terminals and the Seoul
Arts Center are located in the southern stretches of the district.
Gangnam has a reasonable expatriate presence, including many executives for the fin-
ance and information-technology companies headquartered in the skyscrapers clustered
around Samseong and Yeoksam subway stations. The district is rivaled only by Yongsan in
terms of its range of dining and nightlife options. The area has traditionally been seen as
most desirable by upwardly mobile locals, however, who have created vast property price
bubbles in wealthy outposts like Apgujeong. Gangnam's expatriate residents also complain
sometimes of feeling cut off from their counterparts north of the river, especially after the
subway shuts down or if they drive—evening and weekend traffic on the bridges crossing
the Han can be a sight to behold.
Gangnam's dense vertical cityscape means officetels and large apartment blocks are the
main varieties of accommodations on offer. The M Chereville near Gangnam Station and
Oakwood next to the COEX complex offer serviced residences starting at around three mil-
