What is a Seoul Officetel?

Hi Silvia - sorry I won't be able to personally contact you. But I can tell you this officetel was in the area known as Gangso-gu/ and Banghwa-dong. It is near the very end of Seoul before you go into a neighboring town and is at least an hour's train ride from the center of Seoul. You may want to find out where your internship is and then look for an officetel. Seoul is a massive city!

There are always regular apartments available throughout the city as well. Hope you find what you are looking for.

Janel - this was all arranged and paid for by the Seoul Department of Education because I taught in their school system. I don't know if there is a website for rentals. This location is a good hour from the center of Seoul - while their mass transit system is excellent you may want to be closer to the heart of town.

If you are planning a short stay I would recommend you do a search for a broker in Itaewon (ee-tay-won) - this is because Itaewon is where an American military base is located, English is commonly spoken and many friends of people in the military come to visit and stay for a month or so - especially during the summer - and look for just such places.

You're very welcome. Have fun!

Hello oregonlove - first I'd recommend you find a place near where you are working. Seoul is a massive city - and because I worked in this area which is last stop on the purple line (Banghwa-dong) - I was provided an apartment near by. To get to the center of Seoul, say where all the action is, and where I first lived, was at least a one hour subway ride.

In this area (Banghwa-dong)there were many officetels - two - an Airview 1 and Airview 2 - I only remember them because a writer above inquired. Mine and my friend's in the building next door, I don't remember the names. But there seems to be quite a few officetels near the local airport known as Gimpo or Kimpo - which was two train stops away.

When I lived in the center of Seoul in a very expensive area - I don't remember officetels at all - and then my company arranged through a broker to find an apartment - this was in Gangnam-gu. Depending on where you work and decide to live - will determine if officetels are even available.

Hope your company can help you with this.

Hello Meghan, I think one of my US colleagues lived in Airview 2. And yes, I had a membership in the gym. The cost depends on what you want - I also signed up for yoga (the best teacher then) and bellydancing (great but tough)so I paid more.

If you look at my picture again - my Officetel had Dunkin Donuts on the first floor and a few steps away is the train Station. If you walk over to that train station and look across the street - to the left is a supermarket and to the right is a building - in that building is the gym. When I lived there, there was a large store on the first floor of the gym building selling salt rock lamps - it may still be there. Please let me know if you find it. There was an excellent beading teacher in the area with a great storefront shop, and a super jjimjilbang (spa). Have a great time.

It really was convenient. I tell you mulberry1, the S. Korean people enjoy a very high standard of living. This was considered such a poor neighborhood but I could not tell - I had so many amenities with one of the best supermarkets and spas and things to do after work, like piano lessons and beading class and knitting studio and the gym and tons of restaurants, super subway etc. and safety.

It was a great time.

Thanks so much for writing.

OK Jon Woo I will contact you. Have a fabulous time in Seoul!

Thank you Alex for the additional information. I've lived in Gangnam-gu and Seocho-gu (which had a very expensive multiplex near the court house, with condo units costing more than a million dollars minimum) so I think I know what you are talking about.

This type of officetel housing worked out very well for someone like me who was not a permanent resident.

There is another thing about living in S. Korea, perhaps you can explain it here - (it begins with a 'J') - something about posting a certain amount of money - say around $10,000 and then you are not required to pay monthly rent, per se, but all the other expenses (heat, hot water, cable, maintenance, etc., but when you move you get back the initial $10,000.

Seoul was a great experience - for so many, many reasons. The kindness and hospitality was sometimes overwhelming.

Thanks for writing!

Thanks so much GreenThumbLady. It is convenience at its best. And when you order food - it is brought up and served on a tray with real dishes. When you finish you just sit it all outside your door. Tipping is not accepted. I enjoyed a real high standard of living with low taxes. Every apt. comes with a washer as well. Thanks for commenting!

This was another one of many great adventures of living in Seoul - and you are right - everything was in my building. And in the building next door - there were other choices - and right across the street one of the best supermarkets and street markets - with another officetel - with a gym, spa, tea room, etc. Everything - including a concierge right at the front door.

This is an experiment I think you will enjoy! Thanks for writing!

Hello adi!

The company you work for should handle all this for you. In my case it was a school - so when I arrived it was waiting for me. As a result I was not responsible for rent but monthly maintenance expenses, like water, heat and maintenance. Then I paid separately for cable. A real bargain!

Rent is different in S. Korea. You put up a certain amount of money upfront - but you get it back at the end of your lease - meanwhile you just pay your basic expenses, not rent.

I did know some people who wanted to find their own apt. and be far removed - so they went to the area known as Itaewon (ee-tay-wahn). Because it is near the US military, English is spoken everywhere and they found a rental agency that handled everything.

Good luck!

Hi Laura Berwick,

I had such a great time the years I lived in Seoul. I do hope you are having a great time as well.

Thanks for writing!

I had such a great time totally immersing myself in such a great culture.

Thanks for stopping by lindarhea!

Great idea SweetiePie - I think I will do just that. I had such a great time. The kindness of women was overwhelming.

I am going to start writing and posting more about Korea and many of my overseas adventures - and add pictures.

Glad you stopped by!

Thanks JMS - it was a fun time!

Hello Einron, I love visiting foreign countries - and as an older woman I am treated like royalty. I so appreciate this respect for elders. I lived in Korea off and on for 3 years - some of the best years of my life.

And Dear Vicky, The pink was so much fun. It made me feel good every time I came home. I miss Seoul!

BKC

Hi CA - there was a small grocery store on the 1st floor and right across the street was one of the best fresh food supermarkets in Seoul. I have to say - I spent some of the best years of my life in Seoul - there was just so much to do and see and I enjoyed such a high standard of living!

Thanks for writing and I am going to visit you right now!