how to find housing in seoul

Because there are many attractions in this area, housing is difficult to find and very expensive. If you're looking for Seoul apartments, condos or rental houses, we list hundreds of apartments from local landlords and property management companies that are available for rent. However we can take message or call, and can give our answer right away. This is a document containing all the legal information you need when renting an apartment. There are a couple e-marts in the area, but for those who like bulk shopping, there is a Costco. Here are a few terms youll see: Contracts for housing in Seoul are usually arranged on a two year basis, which is confirmed in writing, after which they can be renewed. Seoul () Gwangjin-Gu () Junggok Station () 3 bd 2 ba 639,000,000 Seoul city centre is split north-south by the Han river, with the northern central districts traditionally popular with expats. Of course, in neighborhoods like Itaewon, you may find apartments with a smaller key deposit burden, so dont break into a cold sweat just yet! These options are most common in business areas of Seoul. If you find something that suits you on AirBNB then thats fantastic, but if not you can check out this option. For the reasons described above, many landlords and realtors will refuse to even consider you if you cant sign a long contract. Enjoy your stay! There are places that will let you stay for as little as one month. Now let's do the math: 60 (approx. However, it is fairly detached from the main city. The majority of expats in Seoul who rent private houses reside in the areas of Itaewon, Ichon-dong, and Pyeongchang-dong. In fact, some would consider getting a larger apartment in big cities like Seoul a luxury. If you do need to transfer your hard earned cash, its worth remembering that your home bank might not offer the best value when it comes to making an international money transfer. Private rentals tend to be fairly expensive, so for students or those looking to find a cheaper deal, a flatshare might be a better option. If you have already exhausted your options above, check out the general apartment and housing search engines below. If you are looking for short-term housing you have two main options. As the name implies, this type of housing is a double-functioning building that works both as office spaces and living spaces. The main reasons being the many foreign embassies, and U.S. military base. Ziptoss has a massive variety of housing options. you have to use AIRBNB. While it depends on the apartment in question, it is standard that you wont need to bring any of your own furniture. Check out the useful articles and blog posts below for more information to help you with your apartment search. Youll probably be responsible for paying for any damage to the property during the time youre there, so get an agreement about how inventory will be completed and what penalties are allowed. If a realtor asks for more than this set amount, I suggest you leave the place right away and look for a better realtor. There are big name supermarkets in e-mart and Lotte Mart in Nowon-gu. Subway stations in the area include Jungnang, and Sangbong. 4. The advantage of this option is that theres no monthly rental fee, and you even get the money back when you move out! Take note that apartments in Seoul can be quite expensive. Privacy Policy |Terms and Conditions, Things to consider before searching for Korean apartments, How to find an apartment for rent in South Korea, Helpful Vocabulary for Apartment Hunting in Korea, starting from 5,000,000won (approximately $4500) and up, youll likely have been in Korea for a long time with a well-established status and job, 5,000,000won or even more than 20,000,000won, while it is also possible for some foreigners, Its a place of residence for a lot of Koreans, Learn the Korean Alphabet & Read the Hangul Characters, Korean Phrases: The Ultimate List for 2020, Korean Overview and History of the Language, How to Speak Korean Online Guide for Conversational Fluency, The Most Common Korean Words and Basic Vocabulary, Top 28 Korean Drama Words & Phrases for K-Drama Fans, Korean Slang 101 Popular Words & Phrases in 2020, My Korean Name: Choose Your Very Own Name in Korean. You get your deposit back when you move out, but you do not get your rent money back. Some popular subway stations are Seokgye, Taereung, Goneneung, Kwangwoon University, and Nowon. This area is very accessible with public transportation, many buses, and subways pass though this district. This district is named "river south" which means this district is south of Han River. You can find a lot of office-tels in this area. For example, districts with colleges/universities will have a lot more one rooms than villas or office-tels. The provision of "key money" allows the tenant to live rent free until the end of lease (usually 2 years). There are a few different websites and services which can be used to find short-term rentals. Instead you pay a monthly rent along with utilities. Ziptoss's Online Contract Process Ziptoss's non-face-to-face contract process Visit Ziptoss's English website and choose a location where you want to rent a home/apartment.Contact an. There are a lot of places to shop like Namdaemun Market, Dongdaemun Market, and Myeongdong! At the end of the tenancy the deposit is returned. For this contract style, you pay a deposit but the amount is much less upfront. If you have never looked for housing in Seoul, you may not know this. (bojeunggeum) means deposit in Korean. Most apartments in Korea will come either partly or fully furnished. The most important thing is to be sure that the landlords name according to the contract is the same as the person registered with the authorities as owning the property. To protect against this, you must make sure your payment is registered, and you get a Hwak-jeong-il-ja (). We included several Korean words in this article. Now known widely as one of One important decision, if youre moving to South Korea with family, is how to ensure that your children receive the best possible education. It also is home to Korea University in Anam-dong. Housing> Flatshare in Seoul Hi, we are SodamSodam share-house, a women's private sharing house near Sillim Station on Line 2 near Seoul National University. Required fields are marked *. An apartment in the cheapest, and the poorest conditioned town area in Seoul is about 300,000 dollars. In accordance with this law, the government must be informed about the property purchase within 60 days of the contract being signed. Home Housing How to Find an Apartment in South Korea, Royal Guard Changing Ceremony at Royal Palace (Deoksugung), Seoul, South Korea. Compare 1 vacation rentals, apartments, hotel suites, private villas and more. There are a couple e-marts in the area, and of course many local supermarkets. Rental apartments and rooms near me in Seoul and surrounding areas. It's rare you'll find a 24-hour security guard on site, so it may not feel as safe as living in an apartment. Multi-family houses and terraced houses usually offer less space than apartments and are home to at least two families. The downside is that they are quite small and can be quite cramped. You can use Han Bang to find one suitable apartment among 700,000 selected houses in Korea. Contact; Frequently Asked Questions; 020 3499 0735 Need help? You can buy yourself some time by taking a short-term place in a hostel or hotel at first to research the areas you want to live in, and ideally have a friend along with you when viewing flats to make sure youre not overwhelmed with information. Here are some essentials: As far as actual apartments go, the rental contracts typically start from 1 year. Cosy&Light One Bedroom Nest in Seoul! It is more quiet, less polluted, has a great community and artistic vibes. Gangnam. Below is a selection of the best resources for searching for an apartment in South Korea. If you think there is an error in the information, please bring it to our attention so that we can correct it. This is mostly a residential district with more apartments than the other options. Maintenance fees differ by building, some as low as 20,000 won and some as high as 250,000 won or even more! If you want to learn more about the types of housing in Seoul, please refer to student housing in Seoul. There are many luxury high-rise apartments in this area, and tends to be on the pricy end. Subway lines 1, 2, 5, 7, & 9 run through this district. The university provides rooms for most international students, across their various campuses. These stations are on subway lines 2, 5, and 7. How to retire to South Korea: A complete guide, Renting in Korea: Everything you need to know, The South Korean education system: An overview, The Seoul Global Centre is a helpful resource for expats looking to, Because not all realtors will speak English, going with an agent specialised in working with expats can be helpful. I recently wrote an article about the best English Realtor in Seoul, and I am going to mention them again here. Living in Pyeonchang-dong is quite different to the rest of Seoul. Itaewon is becoming more popular due to webtoon-turned-kdrama Itaewon Class. Its a place of residence for a lot of Koreans. There are a few university campuses in this district including Seoul Women's University, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Kwangwoon University, etc. Leave the last line (agreed service rate) blank and press the blue button. They have thousands of options and hundreds for shorter periods. Good landlords are the majority, but in Seoul, as in any other city, youll also find your share of unethical individuals or agents. The alternative is the Wolse system under which a smaller initial deposit (known as key money) is paid, with a monthly rent on top of that. You can either opt for an apartment or a goshiwon. Typically the Koreans who go for (jeonse) get a loan from their bank, but while it is also possible for some foreigners, it may be overwhelming to navigate, especially if you arent fluent in Korean yet. There is one subway line in this area (line 4) and the main subway stations are Suyu, Mia, and Miasageori. For us who loves nature, hiking and the outdoor, Pyeongchang-dong is on the top of our list of best neighborhoods to live in Seoul for expats. But if paying a large key deposit is no objection, then you have no problem! A great resource we include in this blog is real estate agencies that can speak English by district. It provides all of the basic amenities: kitchen, bathroom with shower, and washing machine. Within Gangnam-gu, the Daechi-dong is particularly popular with expats. * We'll help you find the perfect apartment in Korea. There is also Hongik University in this district. It is for these reasons that most landlords wont even allow you to move in if its for shorter than a year (or two). Many expats find employment through the many job portals available online. Leases are typically one or two years, but can be shorter term depending on your parameters and the available options. You can use subway lines 2, 3 & 5 in this district. There were more than a few! That's about $160USD! It takes 20 minutes from Seoul by subway or by bus. Get More Room with Varoom. We've included information about terms you should know, types of housing, and a brief profile of the districts and example housing prices. You dont need to decide on an apartment on the spot, although its typically advised to choose quickly if one interests you. There are big name supermarkets like e-mart, and Lotte Mart in the area. Therefore, many more one rooms available. Seoul is divided into districts, known as gu, which are then further subdivided into neighbourhoods called dong. Something worth noting, this is not the district where Dongdaemun Market is located. First and foremost, before you even start looking at apartments, you should organize your needs, wants, and requirements when it comes to where youll live. It is also where you'll find the most reliable information on prices, pictures and etc. And more importantly, does your housing include key money? In the second quarter of 2021, the housing affordability index in Seoul, South Korea, reached 172.9, a new high for the surveyed period . MEA's facilities include a world-class fitness and spa, a swimming pool, a park cafe, a wine bar, and a library. Overall, it's a housing option that provides comfort and a sense of security, but it is also the most expensive. 2. There are many parks in the area, and fairly accessible to the downtown areas of Seoul. Apartments and studios are the most commonly used types of for-sale properties in Korea. Depending on availability and your limitations, theyll usually offer you around ten apartments in one go. An award-winning hotel and serviced residence located in Yeoido Park Centre, MEA offers 103 stylish furnished residences that range from studio apartments, 1-bedroom apartments, 1-bedroom suites, 2-bedroom suites, to executive suites. It neighbors Seocho-gu which is where many of the more popular shopping areas and businesses are located. You can even go to Nambu Bus Terminal, or Seoul Express Bus Terminal to go to places outside of Seoul city limits (Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, etc). Another thing to consider is size. If you cant read Hangul yet, you can learn it in just 90 minutes. Luckily, these can usually be found cheaply at Daiso if they arent provided. Some areas will have limited options if you have strict requirements for your housing, but generally, all of the popular areas will still have many options to choose from. Most apartments in Seoul will come fully furnished. AirBNB is indeed an option. A quick search within Facebook will pull up several options. Do not commit to anything until you are already in Korea and have seen your new apartment in person first. Can you live with other people? So you can easily go between these two popular areas. If you choose to move out, you do get this deposit back. Secondly, there are costs the landlords incur between every tenant. For those who like to hike there is Gwanak Mountain nearby. You now have a short-term rental apartment in Seoul. Secondly, there are costs the landlords incur between every tenant. There are essential terms of rental contracts for housing in Seoul that you should know before you start house hunting. I recommend Ziptoss because of a few reasons: After experiencing their services myself I can say that they are the most organised and efficient housing service I have experienced in Seoul. Well we hope this guide helps you find Seoul housing. The business neighborhoods will have a lot more office-tel options, whereas the residential neighborhoods are mostly private houses. Your email address will not be published. Popular subway stations include Bomun, Anam, Wolgok, and Sungshin Woman's Univerisity. Rent-free deposit or paying everything in advance is (jeonse) in Korean. We have nice Korean Houses, Apartments, Officetels for Sale or Rent in Seoul and Incheon. Are you looking to move to Korea? They are fast and efficient. 5 Korea No.5 Residence Korea No.5 Residence has convenient transport. You can find a lot of small businesses owned by foreigners. In most cases, youll negotiate with a landlord via your agent, broker or consultant. There are also e-mart, and Lotte Mart. Next, you'll select the region. However, it can be found as low as $300 per month (with no deposit) and can go as high as you can want. I will reply as soon as I am able to. Subway lines 2, 5, 8, 9, and Bundang run through this area. The best choice of accommodation in Seoul will depend to an extent on the length of time you expect to be there, and whether youre looking for a family home or a city pad. And of course, budget also plays a part in the decision process. 1. If its an amount above the legal minimum limit then you can negotiate to bring this number down before you start viewing properties. You can access subway lines 1, 2, & 7. Naturally, where you choose to rent in Seoul will be largely dictated by where your job or university is. A Maritime city with charming views and a trendy urban culture, A Leisurely island surrounded by sparkling waves, A Coastal city home to stunning filming locations for k-dramas, A hidden gem with beautiful nature scenes and specialties, A City full of historic alleys and delicious food, Address: 484, Gangnamdae-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Online Sales Registration Number : 2022--02376. Really. This option certainly gives you your own space, since you'll likely be renting for yourself. Lines 2 & 5 service this district. If you plan to stay in Korea longer, you should definitely familiarize yourself with how to look for an apartment and how the Korean apartment market works. You will need it for essentially 100% of the places you will find on your own. It is a great area if you like to be away from the hustle and bustle of the main city. Below are seven steps that will help you get set up with your ideal apartment in Korea. Privacy Policy. The largest cities in South Korea are Seoul, Busan, and Incheon. My name is Katie and I'm based in Seoul! Good luck and we hope you get settled soon in your new home in Seoul! I'm Addison Sears-Collins, the founder of Visa Hunter. And easy to get a house there with many English speaking agents and foreigners looking for roommates. So read on below for more useful information on getting an apartment in South Korea! Most realtors will charge 150,000+ and they wont speak English or assist you after you have signed the contract. The downside of going directly to realtors is that they do not usually speak any English, so youll want to take someone who can speak Korean with you. Unlike most realtors in Seoul, Ziptoss are happy to work with you before you land. Located in the heart of Seoul Jongno-gu with the k ind assistance of our staff. Luckily, there are a few! However, there is accessibility to some big name stores like e-mart, and Lotte Mart. Remember to haggle down the brokerage fee depending on how much work your realtor had to put in for you to choose a property to live in, too. Using apps and most agents in neighborhoods will require decent Korean ability. Often, businesses employing expats will support the process. If you are looking for Seoul Apartments for sale or rent, having adequate money set aside may be helpful. Seoul Loft Apartments (SLA) offers fully furnished apartments available for a few days or monthly accommodations. View photos, real guest reviews and find the best deals on Byowner. The official language is Korean. But you do not have to pay a monthly rent. You can browse numerous options, compare prices, and contact realtors when you find something attractive. You can find more office-tels or apartments in this district. Please read the Visitor Agreement and Disclaimer. Features: TV Internet Access laundry ParkingOur place is "female only". This is especially true if you need to be able to cook, or if you are traveling with more than one person. Although very short term rentals can be hard to find, they are out there. This is where many embassies, including the U.S embassy, are located so it is great for foreigners. Instead, try a specialist service like Wise to make your payment directly to your new landlord or agent, with no hidden costs and a fair exchange rate, known as the mid-market rate.