As an English teacher, chances are that you will be housed in a one room studio, especially if you are in the Seoul area or a major city. In the more subur ban and rural areas, apartment sizes will be a bit larger in area due to less expensive monthly costs and deposits. The studios' area is measured using a Korean unit of measurement called a "pyong." One pyong is approximately 3.3 square meters or 35.5 square feet. Average apartment size is 7-8 pyong. As housing is relatively expensive and hard to obtain in Korea, expect smaller sized accommodations.
Most studios are found in buildings called "officetels." Officetels are generally small rooms equipped with apartment furnishings (full bathroom, closet space, kitchenette, etc.) and are used by small companies as work places. Officetels also serve as living quarters for students as they are usually inexpensive in comparison to villas and other living spaces.
Your school will take care of monthly rent and the deposit, which is significantly more expensive than in most Western countries. Deposit tends to be 12 months worth of rent. This means that if your rent is 600,000 won (approximately $600 USD) per month, the deposit will be around 7,000,000 won. This number is generally bumped up to 10,000,000 won. Schools realize that most Americans who are coming to teach in Korea do not have that kind of money sitting in their bank account, so that is why schools are willing and have planned to take care of the deposit expense.
Nearly all Korean apartments/studios come with private, full bathrooms. However, the shower situation may be different than what you are used to. The shower is typically over the toilet or sink and is rarely in a separate compartment.
Another difference is found in the heating system. Korean homes have heating through the floor. There will be a control in your apartment in most cases and it is to regulate the temperature in your room. The air conditioning is also not central, but is regulated via a unit mounted on your wall.
Korean apartments are not extremely different from those in other parts of the world, but there are a few differences that may require some adjustment. If you have questions regarding controls and buttons in your studio, it is advised to ask some of your English speaking Korean co-workers to assist you in translation.
Most studios are found in buildings called "officetels." Officetels are generally small rooms equipped with apartment furnishings (full bathroom, closet space, kitchenette, etc.) and are used by small companies as work places. Officetels also serve as living quarters for students as they are usually inexpensive in comparison to villas and other living spaces.
Your school will take care of monthly rent and the deposit, which is significantly more expensive than in most Western countries. Deposit tends to be 12 months worth of rent. This means that if your rent is 600,000 won (approximately $600 USD) per month, the deposit will be around 7,000,000 won. This number is generally bumped up to 10,000,000 won. Schools realize that most Americans who are coming to teach in Korea do not have that kind of money sitting in their bank account, so that is why schools are willing and have planned to take care of the deposit expense.
Nearly all Korean apartments/studios come with private, full bathrooms. However, the shower situation may be different than what you are used to. The shower is typically over the toilet or sink and is rarely in a separate compartment.
Another difference is found in the heating system. Korean homes have heating through the floor. There will be a control in your apartment in most cases and it is to regulate the temperature in your room. The air conditioning is also not central, but is regulated via a unit mounted on your wall.
Korean apartments are not extremely different from those in other parts of the world, but there are a few differences that may require some adjustment. If you have questions regarding controls and buttons in your studio, it is advised to ask some of your English speaking Korean co-workers to assist you in translation.
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