There are different housing options for students living in Korea, and choices can be based on the preferred location and budget limit. Details discussed in this article are based on my housing experience in Seoul, with some examples included from my friends. In this article, I’ll be mainly discussing the types of housing/accommodation, and tips on where and how to look for them.
A. Monthly rent - Can range from KRW 200,000 to 450,000 depending on the type and location of the university. Dorms usually ask students for payment per semester, unless you are a Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) scholar. For GKS students, the dormitory fee can be paid monthly, with some universities even giving out discounts. However, there are universities like Sungkyunkwan that ask for a 1-semester dorm fee upfront regardless if you are a regular paying student or a GKS scholar.
B. Schedule - Each dorm has a different schedule for registration and the registration period can be as early as May or June (for Fall semester) and January (for Spring semester). A different schedule is given for those staying during the winter or summer breaks. Be reminded that dorms are very strict with schedules so you can only move in and move out at certain dates. If not, you have to pay a penalty fee.
C. Cleaning/Maintenance period - There are dormitories such as in Yonsei University that have a cleaning/maintenance period which lasts up to two weeks; meaning you have to find a place where you can temporarily stay as they do the cleaning. Make sure to e-mail your coordinator or the dorm manager to avoid unnecessary complications.
D. In-house Cafeteria and Kitchen - Food can be bought from the in-house dormitory cafeteria, where you can check their weekly menu. There are some university dormitories which have a common kitchen and dining area where you can cook your own meals. However, some only have a microwave oven and a refrigerator, which can only handle light and instant meals. Better confirm with your university beforehand of its availability.
E. Toilet/bathroom - Some dorms have a common toilet/bathroom which you have to share with the people on the same floor, while some have its own toilet/bathroom inside each room. But of course, if the bathroom is separate from your room, the rent fee is cheaper.
F. Laundry and ironing - Laundry and ironing areas are usually shared and you can either pay by cash or card. Depending on the dormitory, you can either hang your clothes on the balcony or in front of your door, provided that you have your own drying rack which can be bought from e-Mart or Daiso.
G. Common areas - As previously mentioned, the availability of common kitchen and dining areas varies. Study rooms (with Wi-fi and LAN of course) are usually located in the basement or first floor of the building and are open 24 hours.
H. Prohibited things - Usually, dorms are really strict so you cannot use certain appliances such as your own rice cooker, toaster, mini-fridge, and microwave. Usually, you can only use your laptop, hairdryer/straightener/curler, and chargers.
Each dorm has different rules so I can’t discuss them in detail here, even my university dorm changes rules every semester. There are lots of videos and blogs on dorm tours which are really helpful. You can check those before moving in. You could also ask other expats for more information.
These are rooms which you can rent on your own or with a friend/s. These rooms usually have a deposit which you have to pay upfront and the rent fee can vary depending on the deposit made. The higher the deposit, the lower the rent.
A. Deposit - Deposit can range from KRW 1million to 5million on average, depending on the area and type of building.
B. Rent - Rent depends on your deposit: the higher your deposit, the lower the rent. Rent can range from KRW 300,000 to more than a million. Outskirts, around HUFS, or Kyunghee are relatively cheaper compared to other neighborhoods.
C. Utilities - In Korea, utilities are water, electricity, gas, and wifi. Utilities can range from as low as KRW 20,000 when heater and aircon are not used, or up to KRW 100,000 during winter. Make sure that the heater is working properly, if not, your gas fee will be really expensive. Utilities can be paid through online banking, just check the bills for the account number. Or you can go directly to the bank if you have difficulty with online banking, just ask for assistance with the bank tellers.
D. Location - Before moving in, scout the neighborhood for public transportation, supermarkets, convenience stores, or restaurants. Others even check if there’s an expat community around as living in Korea as a foreigner can be a bit difficult and lonely sometimes.
E. Contract - One-room/two-rooms/officetel usually have a 1 to 2-year contract and can be extended. If it happens that you have to terminate the contract, you have to pay a penalty fee or you can ask someone to take over your contract. Some people, who go home for some time (a few months) sublet their rooms to other people, usually those who are on tourist or holiday visas that will only stay for a few weeks/months.
F. Appliances/furniture- Usually you have to buy your own things but there are some rooms with appliances/furniture already. You can go to Ikea or use the almighty Coupang to buy furniture. I bought furniture from Coupang and they deliver it to your house. Or you can look on this page https://www.facebook.com/groups/seoulbuyandsell. It’s a page with other foreigners who sell or give out their things. Usually, people do this when they’re going back to their countries or just moving to another place. Korea has a big expat community wherein you can get all the help you need.
Pros:
a. Own place-you can do whatever you want, you have your own space, you can cook, you can go home whenever you want
Cons:
a. Utilities-depends on your usage
b. Security-depending on the building, some just have CCTV outside the door
3. Shared house
A shared house is basically the same as one room/two rooms with the exception of a manager. Usually, in shared houses there’s a manager who looks for other tenants, brings the stuff e.g. detergent, trash bags, dishwashing soap which are included in the rent, sometimes they even clean and check the overall condition of the house. This is the good thing about shared houses, if something is broken just tell the manager. Unlike in one room/two rooms, you have to call someone on your own for repairs.
a. Rent - Rent fee, rent fee can vary from 250,000 to 500,000krw depending on the type of room. Usually, single rooms are 350 to 500, and shared rooms are 250 to 350. Rent always depends on the area, type of room, location of the shared house (higher floors are more expensive).
b. Utilities - There are two options, either pay a fixed amount or share with the other housemates. A fixed amount is usually 50,000 KRW, an additional 30,000krw during the winter and summer months.
c. Deposit - This is a good thing about shared houses, deposits can be 1 month or 2months rent refundable when you move out
d. Contract - Contracts for shared houses can be as short as 2 months and can be extended. Make sure to check this with your manager as they can increase the rent fee when your contract ends. If you want to extend, ask for another contract.
e. Appliances/furniture - Shared houses are like dorms. They provide (almost) all the appliances /furniture that you need even the kitchen utensils.
Pros:
a. Common areas-living room and kitchen
b. Utilities- if it’s fixed, you can use it without thinking about the fees
Cons:
a. Utilities- if it’s not fixed, you have to save
4. Goshiwon/Goshitel
Personally, I haven’t tried living in a goshiwon/goshitel but I’ll put information based on what I got from friends and on advertisements.
a. Rent - Rent fee can range from 250,000-750,000krw. Some are really expensive because of the area, the people they cater to, and the things included in the rent fee.
b. Inclusions - This is like a one-room but smaller and they usually give free rice and side dishes.
c. Utilities - These are included in the rent fee
d. Common areas - They have common kitchen and laundry areas but the bathroom is in your room
e. Appliances/furniture - They have a bed, desk, fridge, chair, closets in each room
Pros:
a. Own space - you can work/study peacefully
b. No curfew
c. Fixed fees, no additional fees and already included in the rent
Cons:
a. Tenants- there are goshiwon/goshitels that are for females or males only but there are some that accept both on the same floor
b. Narrow space- if you’re claustrophobic, this is not a good option
Where to find
1. Apps
a. Dabang and Zigbang - these are apps that you can download and you can just enter your preferred area, type of housing, and budget. You can log in through your Facebook or Kakaotalk account. These apps will give you the full details of the room and the contact information of the advertiser, usually from budongsan (realtor) or a manager. Just be reminded that these apps are in Korean and most of the people here speak Korean but there are some who can communicate in English. The good thing about this is that all the information about the room is already written - the area of the room, available furniture, etc.
b. Budongsan - These are places that you can find all around. Just go to your preferred area, look for a budongsan, tell them your budget and they will help you look for a place. Of course, they get a commission if you decide to sign the contract. The last time I asked, it was about 10% of the deposit fee.
c. Facebook - As I said there’s a big expat community in Korea and you can usually find good places in certain Facebook groups like this one: https://www.facebook.com/groups/housinginseoul. Since this group caters to foreigners, people speak in English so communication is easy. Make sure to ask everything about the room and schedule a visit. This is an important thing, make sure you visit the room before moving in.
d. Craigslist - Craigslist is actually an extension of the Facebook group but you can still find good and cheap places there.