My little family and I moved to Seoul, South Korea, for my
husband’s new assignment in December 2013. We were really excited for this
opportunity but honestly had no idea what to expect. Not too long after we
arrived in our new country, we had to start finding that perfect place to call
home for the next three years. No pressure, right?
South Korean apartment hunting can be a bit different than
looking in the US. Here are a few things to remember while you’re finding your
new home.
Get a Good Realtor… or Two or Three.
You don’t look for an apartment, your realtor does it for
you. When you get to your housing office, they will provide you with a list of
realtors to use in the area you’re looking. You contact a realtor with your
home preferences and then they find homes for you to see. Your realtor is the
one who negotiates the contract and also the person you’ll be paying your rent
to. Keep in mind that every realtor has connections with different apartments;
it’s perfectly fine – and expected – to meet up with a few realtors until you
find the right fit and the home you want.
High rise vs Villa vs House
There are three different types of homes you can look at in
Korea. The most common are high rises and villas, and the least common are
single family houses. A high rise is just what you can expect: A building with
five or more floors, typically in a complex with other high rise buildings. The
positives of these are complex amenities such as fitness centers and
playgrounds, elevators, and parking garages. Villas are apartments in small
buildings, usually four or less floors. These usually don’t have elevators and
don’t offer the amenities like the high rises, but can be comfortable and
quieter. Houses are smaller than US homes, but not by too much, and they are
not as common as the others. Most homes are older than villas or high rises,
but they have the added bonus of small yards and no shared walls.
Keep Parking in Mind
Parking can sometimes be a challenge in Korea. High rises
will have parking garages under the buildings. You could be fighting for a
parking spot if it’s a particularly busy evening, but you’ll be protected from
the elements (cold winters, hot summers). Villas sometimes have garages but
most have open parking, covered or street, and you’ll be looking for a spot if
it’s crowded. Houses will have their own parking.
Ask What’s Included
Most apartments will include internet and Korean cable. You
could get a membership to the fitness center, if there is one, and access to
any other amenities and perks your place might have. Ask your realtor what
you’ll get.
How Many Bedrooms?
When we were looking for homes, we wanted a place with at
least three bedrooms and our realtor was good about finding that for us. We
actually ended up with a four-bedroom apartment. Your realtor will be able to
find the right sized apartment for you because there are so many options. Keep
in mind that the bedrooms are usually smaller, except for the masters. Also,
the master bedroom is separate in the home from the other bedrooms.
What’s in the Bathrooms?
Again, remind your realtor what you’re looking for: whether
you want one or two bathrooms. Korean apartments have “wet” bathrooms, meaning
they don’t have a shower curtain and there’s a drain in the floor and a lip on
the door so water doesn’t escape. Usually, one bathroom in the apartment will
have a bathtub, but not always both. The bathrooms can be a whole range of
sizes, too.
And the Kitchen?
Kitchens aren’t too different from American homes. The ovens
are smaller and regular baking pans won’t fit (think 15” or smaller). The
stoves are mostly gas. The fridges are regular size. There’s plenty of storage.
Oh, but the sinks are different – they are bigger and have NO garbage
disposable. Plenty of homes have dishwashers, too.
Conclusion
Koreans have apartments living down. There is plenty of
storage for all your belongings, so when you’re looking at apartments start
thinking about what you have and where you want to put it. Apartments are a
great size, we actually live in a home that’s just as big as ours was back at
our last duty station. Finding a home in Korea can be daunting at first, but
take your time and don’t settle. Your perfect place is out there!
Hongdae
real estate rental information such as 홍대사무실, 홍대부동산,
홍대역사무실, 합정역사무실. Visit us at:
www.realinstar.com
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