Renting in Korea ... help ~

Question

I am on a budget and am thinking of attending a program in Seoul National University for about 3 months .. 3 and half month maximum.

I was wondering what is the best place to stay for student around the university. I am not fussy with the place. Just want a place to basically enough to let me sleep peacefully at night and probably study.

Also, how does the renting system works in Korea? I heard there are deposits and all etc etc .. is there any renting system that aren't so complicated??

thank you!

Answer 1

Have you trying applying for the dormitories ? I think you are eligible for them when you study at the language institute a SNU. They are really cheap (about 600 bucks for 4 months).

You can also try a 하숙집, there are some around 신림 station which is closeby, this would probably be around 300/400 bucks per month including one or two meals depending on the place.

Renting an apartment can be a pain because of the deposit which is usually around 5000 or 10000 dollars. But since you are only staying for a short time you could make an arrangement with the real estate agency or your landlord, expect to pay around 200 dollars more per month when not renting on a deposit basis. The prices for a room around the university would range from 300 to 600 dollars per months (utilities not always included). Cheap area besides the seoul national university station are naksongdae (낙성대) and sillim (신림, especially the area called nokdu where a lot of students from the university live and which has lots of  bars and fun places).

I've also heard about some places renting a room with just a bed+desk (common bathroom) for around 300 dollars per month without deposit. You really ought to contact the university about getting into the dorms, they aren't especially great and it's getting harder to get in each year, but you won't find anything cheaper. Eating at the university is also much cheaper than going to restaurants outside, so you'll be saving on that side too.

To rent a place, I'd advise you to stay at a hotel first and see with a real estate place to find an appartment, but the best would be for you to find someone living there willing to help you (or host you while you look for a place). There is an office for international students, and the language institute too might be able to help ya with housing so you should try to give'em a call.