Last updated 2024.03.22
Housing Locations
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Popular housing locations for foreigners in Seoul include:
For a brief description of each of these locations, visit the Seoul Metropolitan Government website. Other popular housing locations may be found in university districts. In general, locations closer to the center of the city and south of the Han River have steeper housing rates. |
Source: Seoul Metropolitan Government (2021.5.18)
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Housing Types
University-Affiliated Housing
Often after obtaining affiliation with a Korean university, either as a visiting faculty member, a special student, or even a student enrolled in a Korean language program, you may become eligible to reside in university housing. Depending on your status at the university, the accommodations may vary in size and furnishings. All grantees are encouraged to inquire with their affiliate contact/professor as to possible university housing. If the affiliate contact/professor does not have information about housing, grantees may wish to inquire directly with the university housing office or international student office. Both of these offices may also be able to provide housing suggestions for facilities near campus which past visitors have utilized.
Often after obtaining affiliation with a Korean university, either as a visiting faculty member, a special student, or even a student enrolled in a Korean language program, you may become eligible to reside in university housing. Depending on your status at the university, the accommodations may vary in size and furnishings. All grantees are encouraged to inquire with their affiliate contact/professor as to possible university housing. If the affiliate contact/professor does not have information about housing, grantees may wish to inquire directly with the university housing office or international student office. Both of these offices may also be able to provide housing suggestions for facilities near campus which past visitors have utilized.
For Singles
Korean-Style Boarding House (Hasukjib or Hasukjip 하숙집)
Generally located near major universities, a hasukjib is a shared house which offers rooms (shared or single) for rent. Other rooms in the house are communal. Food, in the form of Korean-style breakfast and dinner, may also be included in rent costs. Hasukjib are usually populated by young people who are either students or unmarried college graduates. Depending on the personality of each house, the degree of privacy and freedom varies (e.g., some have curfews). Per information from Yonsei, the cost of rent ranges between 350,000 KRW to 550,000 KRW per month depending on the size of the bedrooms, the quality of the facilities, and whether the room is shared or not. It can be particularly challenging to arrange to stay in a hasukjib prior to arrival in Korea as managing staff may insist on meeting prospective boarders in person before deciding whether to accept them.
Generally located near major universities, a hasukjib is a shared house which offers rooms (shared or single) for rent. Other rooms in the house are communal. Food, in the form of Korean-style breakfast and dinner, may also be included in rent costs. Hasukjib are usually populated by young people who are either students or unmarried college graduates. Depending on the personality of each house, the degree of privacy and freedom varies (e.g., some have curfews). Per information from Yonsei, the cost of rent ranges between 350,000 KRW to 550,000 KRW per month depending on the size of the bedrooms, the quality of the facilities, and whether the room is shared or not. It can be particularly challenging to arrange to stay in a hasukjib prior to arrival in Korea as managing staff may insist on meeting prospective boarders in person before deciding whether to accept them.
Goshiwon (고시원)
Goshiwons are similar to hasukjib, in that they are usually populated by students or young professionals. However, rather than being a shared house, they are more like off-campus dorms. As such, goshiwon rooms tend to be quite small. Depending on the goshiwon, there may be a communal kitchen and communal bathrooms, or a small bathroom and minimal cooking appliances in the rented goshiwon room. A goshiwon by its nature is less communal than a hasukjib, and goshiwon are also usually cheaper than hasukjib. Goshiwon listings can be found on websites such as goshipages.com
Goshiwons are similar to hasukjib, in that they are usually populated by students or young professionals. However, rather than being a shared house, they are more like off-campus dorms. As such, goshiwon rooms tend to be quite small. Depending on the goshiwon, there may be a communal kitchen and communal bathrooms, or a small bathroom and minimal cooking appliances in the rented goshiwon room. A goshiwon by its nature is less communal than a hasukjib, and goshiwon are also usually cheaper than hasukjib. Goshiwon listings can be found on websites such as goshipages.com
One-Room/Studio Apartment
Studio apartments, typically called "one-rooms," are widespread throughout Korea, but they are concentrated around university and business districts as students and single workers tend to be their main clients. One-rooms may be partially furnished or unfurnished. Most have heating and air conditioning on a single-room basis (as opposed to a central system).
Studio apartments, typically called "one-rooms," are widespread throughout Korea, but they are concentrated around university and business districts as students and single workers tend to be their main clients. One-rooms may be partially furnished or unfurnished. Most have heating and air conditioning on a single-room basis (as opposed to a central system).
For Families
Officetel (Office + hotel)
Officetels are buildings which house a combination of office and living spaces, meaning residents usually rent them for one of these two purposes exclusively. Officetel spaces are basically larger versions of one-room apartments, and thus they tend to be more expensive than one-room apartments. In addition to standard administrative fees, officetel residents must pay additional maintenance fees required of commercial business buildings. Security in officetels tends to be tight as a superintendent oversees the building. Underground parking may be available.
Officetels are buildings which house a combination of office and living spaces, meaning residents usually rent them for one of these two purposes exclusively. Officetel spaces are basically larger versions of one-room apartments, and thus they tend to be more expensive than one-room apartments. In addition to standard administrative fees, officetel residents must pay additional maintenance fees required of commercial business buildings. Security in officetels tends to be tight as a superintendent oversees the building. Underground parking may be available.
Serviced Residence
A serviced residence is a fully furnished apartment designed for both short-term and long-term residents. While offering services that may be found at a hotel (such as a front desk, conference room, lounge, etc.), serviced apartments are generally larger and more affordable than hotels. An example of a past serviced residence in which grantees have lived is DMC Ville.
A serviced residence is a fully furnished apartment designed for both short-term and long-term residents. While offering services that may be found at a hotel (such as a front desk, conference room, lounge, etc.), serviced apartments are generally larger and more affordable than hotels. An example of a past serviced residence in which grantees have lived is DMC Ville.
Apartment
Apartments are the most popular form of housing in Korea, and they may be procured using one of two payment methods: wolse or jeonse.
Apartments are the most popular form of housing in Korea, and they may be procured using one of two payment methods: wolse or jeonse.
- For wolse apartments, the renter must provide an initial security deposit and then pay monthly rent and utilities. In general, the higher the deposit, the lower the monthly rent.
- For jeonse or "key money" apartments, the renter pays a very large deposit up front which the apartment owner retains and uses for interest/investment income until the apartment is vacated, at which time the initial deposit should be returned to the renter.