I’m looking more and more into guesthouses. They seem like the logical solution for getting cheap sleeping quarters while being more comfortable (in every way) than bath houses. It looks like the base cost of a shared room is about 13,000 Won. Do any of you have experiences with guesthouses?
Any experiences with guesthouses?
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IDK about them, but my friend who is between jobs in Korea is staying at a goshiwon. So that might be an option for you.
@Lola O.
Wow, I never knew about those. Thanks for the suggestion!
The minimum period for staying at a 고시원/고새텔 (or the minimum payment, that is) is normally a month. The rooms also tend to be tiny (though this varies by location). I have lived in 고시원 for a total of ~7 months but I never, ever will again. That said, if money is tight then it’s a decent way to stay for a few months.
@Sean Brown
Yeah, that’s my biggest concern. Most likely I’ll move on campus for the semester (if I get a room) and would like to stay mobile before that. If I get a goshiwon, I might not be able to travel around as much as I would like. It’s definitely something good to know about though, just in case.
hi,
i have stayed here twice http://bluguesthouse.com/, the location is really good and the owner is super nice!
satu
Hey Matt! Long time no post. Looks like you really are “on your way to Korea”. How much money do you plan on taking with you? Another option might be a 하숙집.. ya know?
No, I’ve never heard of 하숙집 before. I’m learning so much these days ^^ I won’t be bringing a lot …
I’m not too familiar with the 서울대 area, but usually in the surrounding neighborhoods, there are people who will put you up in a room in their house, meals included…
Rates depend on the neighborhood. It’s pretty basic living though. Be forewarned… Costs can be anywhere from 200-400 bucks a month.
A 고시원 or 고시텔 usually costs between 150-300,000 a month, assuming single occupancy, with a bed, desk, and wardrobe, and possibly a minifridge and/or tv. Windows are a maybe. There will also be a communal kitchen and shower, with the whole place probably sex segregated by floor. They may provide free kimchi, rice, and filtered water in the kitchen, and there will probably be a few aging washing machines on site. Check for safety issues (do they have a lockout time? How do the doors lock? What are their evacuation proceedures in case of fire, etc.?) I’ve seen some that were very modern, clean, and well-kept but cramped. I’ve also seen some that were dark, dirty, and essentially death-traps. They can also be quite noisy, with lots of people coming in and out of their rooms at all hours, talking in the hallways and common areas.
하숙집 are a good option if you’re going to be regular in your habits and want to eat Korean food most of the time. You’ll usually have your own room (although I’ve heard of people sharing) and access to a communal bathroom, laundry, and living/study room. Rooms are usually furnished with a desk, bed, wardrobe, and sometimes a tv and/or minifridge, and are usually a bit larger than what you’ll get at a 고시원. You’ll usually be served breakfast and dinner (your prospective landlord/lady should let you come to a meal before you agree to stay), and you can sometimes negotiate a lower rent if you skip breakfast or dinner on a regular schedule. On the flip side, if you frequently skip meals without alerting the owner, they’ll often become very annoyed with you. They also may have a lockout time, but even if they don’t you’ll need to be courteous to your housemates. They usually cost between 400-600,000 per month.
In the end, I think the things you should consider are a) how often you’ll be in the residence and b) how regular your schedule will be. 하숙집 are going to be a little bit roomier, a little bit quieter, and a little bit more “homey” but also a bit more expensive and a bit less welcoming if you’re out a lot, at odd hours, or without notice. 고시원 will be more tolerant of odd hours and frequent absences, but may be noiser and less comfortable, in addition to throwing you out on your own resources for food. I would go with the goshiwon if you’re going to spend your first few months traveling and having adventures, but if you’re going to be taking it easy as you adjust, go with a boarding house. Another thing for you to consider is if you want to spend this time near 서울대 so you’ll be familiar with the area by the time school starts, or if you want to live elsewhere to taste what different neighborhoods are like.
@Gomushin Girl
Thanks for the great response! I have a lot to think about and consider!